Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

06/12/2026

Summerfest, which touts itself as the “world’s largest musical festival,” starts in less than a week on June 18. Summerfest offers a variety of accessibility options to ensure that everyone can enjoy the festivities. In addition to accessible parking and seating across the Summerfest grounds, large-print schedules of all entertainment events are located at Information Centers and at their NSCIA Respite Pavilion just south of the Mid Gate. You can see all of the festival’s accessibility options on their website at https://www.summerfest.com/accessibility/.

As in past years, Milwaukee-based nonprofit ABLE - Audio Braille Literacy Enhancement has teamed up with Summerfest to provide audio guides to this year’s festival. There are separate recordings for each day’s music schedule, as well as for festival services, promotions, ticketing information, and more. You can find the 2026 Summerfest audio guides on ABLE’s website at https://www.ablenow.org/news-events/2026-summerfest/.

Image: Summerfest logo

06/11/2026

June 15 to 21 is Global Loneliness Awareness Week, a time to highlight the importance of social connection in our lives. Over a quarter all adults 65 and older are considered socially isolated, and 40% of adults with disabilities report feeling lonely or socially isolated. Loneliness is a normal human emotion, but long-term loneliness can lead to a deterioration of both mental and physical health.

For people who are blind or low vision, the confidence a white cane can bring is vital to getting out into the community and reducing isolation. With a white cane and the orientation and mobility skills needed to use it effectively, people with vision loss can move through the world without fear. A gift to the Council’s White Cane Fund allows us to put a white cane in the hands of those who can benefit from one at no cost to the user, empowering them to move safely and confidently through their community. Donate to our White Cane Fund today at https://wcblind.org/donate/.

Image: A light-skinned woman using a white cane crossing the street as a light-skinned man walks next to her watching.

06/09/2026

June is Cataract Awareness Month, a time to focus attention on the leading cause of vision loss across the United States. More than half of all Americans age 80 or old have cataracts or have had surgery to remove cataracts. But cataracts can be found in people of all ages, even babies.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, blocking the passage of light into the eye. If not treated, cataracts can lead to blindness, and the longer cataracts are left untreaded, the more difficult it can be to treat them successfully. Cataract surgery is one of the most common elective surgeries in the U.S. If you experience them, it is vital you talk to your doctor as soon as possible .

If you are over 65, it is important to get a complete eye exam every year or two so that if cataracts are discovered, they can be treated quickly. Early detection and treatment are critical to preserving your vision.

You can learn more about Cataract Awareness Month on the Prevent Blindness website at https://preventblindness.org/2026-cataract-month/.

Image: Infographic showing a multicolored crowd of people and the words More than 25 million Americans have cataract. Visit PreventBlindness.org/cataract to find out what you need to know about symptoms and treatment options

06/08/2026

Another Wisconsin summer is almost here. While you’re outside enjoying the warm weather, it’s important to protect your eyes from the sun. Sunglasses are vital to protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays and help you see more clearly on bright sunny days. The Sharper Vision Store has many options so you can find the pair that best meets your needs.

Cocoons fit-over sunglasses are designed for people with low vision and come in a variety of shades and colors. The frames feature Flex2Fit® temples for maximum comfort and security. Find them in boysenberry color on our website at https://store.wcblind.org/store/product/cocoons-lv-blk-ml-boysenberry.

Amber Fit Over Flip Sunglasses allow you to flip the lens up when not needed and easily flip it back down when necessary to provide substantial sun blockage. Find it online at https://store.wcblind.org/store/product/amber-fit-over-flip-sun-glasses.

These Clip-On sunglasses are compatible with most glasses frames on the market. They come in amber or gray shades and are polarized. Great for driving and outdoor activities. Find them online at https://store.wcblind.org/store/product/clip-on-polarized-grey-large.

NoIR Sunglasses are universal fit-over glasses that offer protection for the sides and brows. They come in a variety of shades and colors to let in the right amount of light for your vision. Find them online at https://store.wcblind.org/store/product/noir-medium-gray-32.

Need help figuring out which sunglasses are best for you? This article, first published a few years ago, can help you find the best pair for your needs. You can read it on our website at https://wcblind.org/2026/06/enjoy-summer-and-protect-your-eyes-with-sunglasses/.

Sunglasses do more than just make you look cool; they’re vital in protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays and they help you see more clearly on bright sunny days.

06/05/2026

Next week, June 8 – 14, is Vision Rehabilitation Week, designated by VisionServe Alliance (VSA) to spread the word about crucial vision rehab services, including those offered by the Council. Nearly 20 million people across the U.S. live with blindness or low vision, yet less than 5% of those who could benefit from vision rehabilitation services are receiving them.

Vision rehabilitation, including low vision therapy, orientation and mobility training, access technology instruction, daily living skills and more, plays a critical role in helping people continue to live their lives on their own terms throughout their vision loss journey and across the spectrum of functional vision. The services offered by the Council are provided by highly-trained, certified specialists dedicated to helping people who are blind or low vision live with dignity and independence.

You can learn more about Vision Rehabilitation Week on the VSA website at https://visionservealliance.org/visionrehabilitationweek2026/.

Image: A woman using access technology in the office. Text that reads ‘Vision Rehabilitation Week June 8-14, Vision Rehabilitation programs increase safety, confidence, & independence for people living with blindness and low vision!’ VisionServeAlliance.org/VRW

06/04/2026

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) both have their annual conferences in July.

NFB kicks off the month with their conference in Austin, Texas July 3 – 8. If you cannot attend in person, there is also a virtual experience with exclusive convention activities available. You can learn more and register for both the in-person and virtual convention on their website at https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention.

ACB will hold their convention in Saint Louis, Missouri July 24 – 31. Online registration closes on July 6, though you may also register during the convention. You can learn more and register on their website at https://acbconvention.org/.

Image: A roomful of attendees at a previous NFB convention

06/03/2026

Join one of the Council’s two monthly online low vision support groups!

Trailblazers Low Vision Support Group
Monday, June 8
2:00 – 3:30 P.M.
Free
Online via Zoom

Open to everyone in Wisconsin! Contact Brent Perzentka at [email protected] or 608-237-8112 to get the Zoom link or call-in number.

Supernovas: College and Working Age Vision Support Group
Tuesday, June 16
7:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Free
Online via Zoom

This group is devoted to topics of interest to college and working age adults under 45. The topic of June’s meeting is using AI to accomplish everyday tasks. To learn more, contact Jim Denham at [email protected] or 608-237-8104.

Image: Graphic of video conference on laptop

06/02/2026

For over 50 years, the Council has operated a store stocked with adaptive products to help empower people who are blind or low vision to live with dignity and independence. As a nonprofit, we keep our profit margins significantly lower than most other retailers to ensure that you are getting the best prices on the best products. But the ongoing volatility of global supply chains is putting strain on the store, affecting nearly every item we sell. Rising costs and disappearing products are having an impact on both our customers and the Council.

We wrote more about challenges the Sharper Vision Store is experiencing in this week’s On Sight e-newsletter. You can read the full article on our website at https://wcblind.org/2026/05/global-supply-chain-issues-putting-strain-on-sharper-vision-store/.

Rising costs and disappearing products put stress on both our customers and the Council.

05/29/2026

Attention parents of children and young adults with vision loss: Milwaukee-based Vision Forward is hosting four youth summer camps this July and August.

Camp Readiness for children ages 5-14 runs from July 13 to 25 and focuses on pre-teaching skills to be successful at their Rainbow Day Camp. The Rainbow Day Camp, also for children ages 5-14 runs from July 27 to 30. Kids in Rainbow Day Camp play adaptive sports, go kayaking, play music, make art, and more. Tech Camp, August 4 to 5, is for young adults ages 15-21 seeking training in assistive technology. Pathways to Independence Camp, August 20 and 21, helps teens and young adults ages 14-21 learn everyday tasks to promote greater independence and life skills.

You can learn more and register to attend on the Vision Forward website at https://vision-forward.org/events/.

Image: Boy climbing up a rock wall with a harness and safety helmet on

05/28/2026

Last week, members of the Council staff went to Janesville for the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired 2026 College and Career Readiness Resource Fair. We shared information about the Council's work at our display table, and two of our staff members, Jim Denham and Kathleen Callen, were part of a panel about the importance of advocacy.

The resource fair was a great opportunity for us to meet young people who are blind or low vision and show them that we are here for them after graduation and throughout the rest of their lives in Wisconsin. Thank you for inviting us to this great event!