Courier 2018 – Summer
Mia Zutter: Scholarship Winner and Paralympic Athlete
Competing in the Paralympics is something many young athletes only dream of. Council scholarship recipient Mia Zutter, who skied her first Paralympics in March 2018, says the whirlwind experience served as a way to learn about new cultures, see how far she has progressed in her skiing and give her family a chance to watch her compete.
“It was so great to be able to meet people from other countries,” she says. “Getting to see clothing and taste food from all around the world was incredible.”
The 2018 Paralympics took place in PyeongChang, South Korea, and was Mia’s fourth international competition. She raced at a World Cup skiing event in PyeongChang in March 2017, so the Paralympics gave her the opportunity to come back to the same course and assess how much she has improved over the past year.
“I tend to be impatient and want to be the best at something right away,” Mia admits. “It was great to come back to South Korea and see how I’ve matured as an athlete.”
Mia placed 8th in the women’s 15-kilometer cross-country race on March 12, 9th in the 1.5-kilometer cross-country sprint on March 14, 9th in the 7.5 women’s classic on March 17 and 12th in the 4x2.5 kilometer cross-country open relay on March 18. The highlight of her races was having her family there to cheer her on.
“It was my sister’s first time watching me ski-race,” Mia says. “I owe my success to my family. They supported me throughout my vision loss and always encouraged me to follow my dreams. They never tried to hold me back and were always there when I needed them. It was so important to me to have them at the Paralympics to celebrate with me.”
Mia was diagnosed with Stargardt disease when she was 12, however she feels hard-pressed to think of her disability as a limitation.
“I’ve been given so many opportunities because of my visual impairment,” she says. “When I was diagnosed, I was afraid because I didn’t know how my life would turn out. Looking back on all I have accomplished, it’s hard to think of this being a negative situation.”
Mia is grateful for the scholarship from the Council because it enabled her to attend the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. She is a freshman majoring in psychology and skis on the collegiate ski team. She enjoys college and is pleased to be at a place where her professors understand her situation as both a visually impaired student and an international athlete. Attending St. Scholastica would not have been possible without the financial assistance from the Council.
What’s next for Mia? She wants to focus on practicing this summer and plans to compete in a World Cup event with the USA Paralympic Team. She also looks forward to skiing more often on her college ski team, and has her sights set on the Beijing Paralympics in 2022.
“If I didn’t have a visual impairment I probably wouldn’t have found skiing,” Mia says. “A disability isn’t always a negative thing and it can grant you opportunities you might not have had otherwise. I’ve learned that if you work hard, know what you need and ask for those accommodations, you can do anything you want to do.”
Our Vision
The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired will be the premier organization serving people who are blind and visually impaired statewide. Through internal excellence and effective collaboration with other organizations we will:
• Establish a statewide presence in Wisconsin with a focus on underserved areas and population
• Facilitate comprehensive education and training for consumers, professionals, and the public
• Increase opportunities for training and preparation related to meaningful employment among people who are blind and visually impaired, and
• Act as a link to services, advocacy, technology, and information promoting the independence and enhanced quality of life of people who are blind and visually impaired and their families
Braille Finds its Place in a New World
For nearly 200 years, blind people have been reading and writing independently with a system of dots called braille. With technology on the rise and the wide availability of audiobooks and screen-reading software to access computer files, some would argue that braille is dying out. We at the Council, however, see the importance of technological advancements and braille, and find that the coexistence and expansion of both is important.
“Refreshable braille displays have revitalized the use of braille over the last ten years,” says Jim Denham, the Council’s Assistive Technology Specialist. “It used to be that if you wanted to read braille, you would have to lug around a huge book with you. That is not the case anymore, and displays are becoming more affordable and accessible than ever.”
Improvements to refreshable braille devices allow users to rely on them for reading content on a computer or a portable device with a screen reader. The devices, which produce changing mechanical braille output through computer-driven pins, also work with apps such as Kindle or iBooks. The Council’s Sharper Vision Store offers refreshable braille devices and can demonstrate the technology in action.
“I was a Languages and Literatures major and when I lost my sight, I felt like I was no longer able to see the geography of the language,” says Judith Rasmussen, Program Assistant at the Council. “When I learned braille, I was able to read again. I was able to see sentence structure, the spellings of words and the placement of punctuation. That has been the highlight, for me, of learning braille.”
The right amount of braille willempower you to live your best life. If you want to know enough braille to play cards or read the numbers written on elevator buttons, learn those symbols. If you want to venture into Grade Three Braille for speed or efficiency, braille music notation or the intricacies of Nemeth for math and science, dive into those portions of the braille code and expand your horizons.
“To read braille is to be literate,” Jim says. “Whether using refreshable braille or hard-copy braille, even ifyou’re not a fast reader, knowing the code and being able to use it opens up so many doors to independence.”
The Hadley Institute is an excellent place to find free braille courses, and their program starts by increasing the sensitivity of fingers and takes learners through any aspect of the braille code they want to know. Courses are self-paced, so you can learn at your own speed.
The Braille Library and Transcription Services (BLTS) is a place to get braille books in the Madison area. The National Library Service also provides an extensive listing of braille books that can be shipped to your door, free of charge. Braille books can be purchased from National Braille Press, (NBP), or The American Printing House for the Blind (APH), just to name a few other resources.
The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) is the place to go for all questions and rules about all things braille, and the experts at the Council are always ready to answer your questions and demonstrate braille devices, from playing cards and watches to the latest technology.
Jim Denham, Assistive Technology Specialist, demonstrates a Braille notetaker.
2018 Council Officers
Chair: Chris Richmond
1st Vice President: Annika Konrad
2nd Vice President: Steve Johnson
Secretary: Rhonda Staats
Treasurer: Kathleen Brockman
Upcoming Events
Accessible Voting Webinar
When: Wednesday, June 20
Where: Online webinar
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Join Sara Linski, WisVote Elections Specialist, and Jennifer Haar, City of Madison Clerk’s Office, to learn about the voting options available to individuals with disabilities who want to vote. Register for this free webinar at under the Events tab.
Low Vision Fair
When: Thursday, August 9
Where: UW-Manitowoc
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
So many resources in one room! Learn about adaptive products and vision services. Hear from local presenters and meet others who are living with changing vision. Free event; no registration needed.
Dining in the Dark
When: Tuesday, August 14
Where: GingeRootz Asian Grille, Appleton
Time: 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Experience a delicious multi-course meal without your sense of sight. All guests are blindfolded for the dinner. For information or to make reservations, call GingeRootz at 920-738-9688 or .
Letter from the CEO/Executive Director
Birthdays and anniversaries offer us opportunities for reflection. Last summer, as the Council celebrated our 65th anniversary, we took time to honor our history by developing an archive. At the same time, we thought about our future, updating our mission statement.
Our first 65 years have been devoted to promoting the dignity and independence of people who are blind and visually impaired. Many who've come before us have laid a path, using their talents, wisdom, and tenacity to carve out legislation, create a model for vision services and serve as educational ambassadors to enhance our independence. To honor and preserve this history, board and staff together have embarked on an archive project. While still in its early stages, the project brings together our history holders with new volunteers, eager to learn about the Council.
Moving forward, we recognize that the blindness and visually impaired community continues to grow in its diversity and expectations. Elders are experiencing vision changes and sight loss in large numbers. Many working-age adults seek fulfilling employment, accessible transportation and want to be fully integrated into their communities. Many young adults see their vision impairment as one of many aspects of self, along with gender, race, and orientation and understand the intersections of these aspects of themselves.
At the invitation of a board member to consider a change to our mission, we concluded that the word empowerment captured this changing landscape, with the mission to promote the dignity and empowerment of the people of Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired. As CEO/Executive Director, I’m proud of this change. I believe it encourages us to hold the bar of excellence for actualizing our mission even higher than the incredible work that has laid this foundation on which we now stand.
Please join us on our exciting journey of the next 65 years as we continue to grow the Council’s reach and influence!
White Cane Policy
Any Wisconsin resident who is blind or visually impaired in need of a new white cane is eligible for one free cane every 24 months. Our program does not receive any publicly funded money; all of our canes are provided through generous donations to our White Cane Program.
There are two exceptions as to our 24-month policy:
1.) Those who are under the age of eighteen, or have not yet graduated from high school (but still under the age of 21), may be eligible to receive a free white cane, or when the student has a rapid growth spurt, making the current cane no longer an appropriate length. When this occurs, the student’s mobility instructor should send a recommendation to the Council requesting a new cane and its length.
2.) Individuals may be eligible to receive a replacement white cane at our discretion under special circumstances, such as a defective cane or damage to the cane that is not due to the user’s error.
If you are a first-time cane user and not listed in our database, you are eligible to receive an additional backup cane within the first two years of receiving your first one at half the retail cost. Available canes include the Ambutech adjustable support cane, Ambutech folding mobility cane, and Ambutech folding ID cane.
You may be eligible if your vision is less than 20/70. According to Wisconsin State Statute 47.01 and the United States Code, 42 USC 1382 c(a)(2), legal blindness is defined as central visual acuity not greater than 20/200 in the better eye with correcting lenses or a visual field that subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees. Call 1-800-783-5213 or 608-255-1166 to learn more.
Donations are appreciated to cover the cost and continue the program for others. Call 1-800-783-5213 or 608-255-1166 for more information.
Meet Our New Board Members
The Council is pleased to welcome Patty Zallar and Nick Sinram to our board of directors in 2018. We are excited about the energy and enthusiasm they have for our mission.
“I’m thrilled to have Nick and Patty as board members,” says Denise Jess, Council CEO/Executive Director. “They bring a wide array of experience and fervor to their work. I’m looking forward to what we will do together to empower the lives of the people we serve.”
Patty Zallarlearned about the Council when she moved to Madison thirty years ago. She served a previous term on the board from 2009-2012, and has remained an active member of the legislative committee since her first term. Patty brings her experiences as a Wisconsinite who is visually impaired and her passion for affecting change.
“If we level the playing field,” she says, “then everyone can play. I’m a big believer in advocating and educating for myself or others, especially those who can’t do it for themselves.”
The diversity of the other members of the board and the direction the Council is heading with its activities make Patty excited to be a board member. She particularly appreciates that several young adults have board seats. She is happy to see the Council offering assistive technology training and is eager to be a part of an organization putting on meaningful and fun programming.
“I’m really excited about the birding events coming up,” she says. “I like the way we reach out and help people. I think the Council is connecting with more people as an organization. I’m glad to be part of that effort.”
Patty works as a project manager at the Department of Employee Trust Funds. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with her local Lions Club, working out, reading and travelling.
The scholarship program served as Nick Sinram’s introduction to the Council in 2007. After receiving two Council scholarships, Nick graduated from UW-La Crosse in 2012 with degrees in Psychology, Political Science and Public Administration. Nick attended Law School at Marquette University in Milwaukee and passed the Bar Exam in 2015. He is a dispute resolution specialist at Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
Nickis visually impaired and has lived in Milwaukee for the past six years. When he learned board applications were being accepted, hewas eager to apply and join.
“I wanted to get more involved and this sounded like an interesting opportunity,” Nick says. “I’m passionate about helping people with disabilities access assistive technology. I also wanted to give back to the Council. I’m so grateful for their financial assistance when I was in college.”
In addition to his law degree, Nick brings experience in finance and conflict resolution to his board position. He is a member of the finance committee and is eager to do what he can to further the Council’s mission.
“I hope to be a good steward of the Council’s finances and assist the Council in helping others,” Nick says. “I’m also excited to be around the more experienced board members and soak up what they have learned over time.”
Nick’s hobbies include camping, participating in water sports and outdoor activities, biking, playing videogames and spending time with family and friends.
The printed version of the Courier included photos of the following events:
The Council hosted students from local school districts for an evening of exploration and learning.
Volunteers and students playing with brailled Uno cards.
Father and daughter explored the use of a new magnification tool.
Students learned of scholarship opportunities available for their post-secondary education.
Our Vision Services Open House introduced guests to all the services the Council offers.
A female visitor holds the handset of a large print telephone, carefully inspecting it.
Many practical items, such as large button phones and bold-faced clocks, are available in the Sharper Vision Store.
Dining in the Dark at Charlie’s on Main offered diners the experience of enjoying a delicious meal without their sense of sight. Thank you to Madison Originals’ Charlie’s on Main for donating proceeds to the Council!
Senator Jennifer Schilling with constituents and Council Board members Steve Johnson and Rhonda Staats on Legislative Day 2018. Much thought and effort has gone into forming legislative priorities for the Council. You can find these priorities at
Join the White Cane Circle
Summer brings out the best in Wisconsin – flowers, camping, outdoor concerts. Travel is another favorite summer activity for many people. No matter where or how they travel, for many people with vision loss, a constant and necessary companion is their white cane.