Vision Forward

Your vote. Your voice. Your independence.

Voting access is an independent living issue. This week, Vision Forward joins the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition at disabilityvote.org in recognizing Disability Voting Rights Week and the right of people with disabilities to participate in elections privately, independently and accessibly.

With the November 3 election approaching, now is the time to know your rights and make your voting plan.

Learn about your voting rights and find resources through the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition. Check your registration, find your polling place and see what's on your ballot through MyVote Wisconsin at myvote.wi.gov/en-us.

Thank you Governor Tony Evers!

Governors Line Up Against Bid To Scale Back Community-Based Services Leaders of 18 states are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to abandon efforts to weaken the rights of people with disabilities to access services in the community.

Today, our kids got to spread their wings and learn all about birds!

We were excited to welcome the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center for a hands-on learning experience that brought the world of birds right into our classroom. From exploring bird-related activities to learning about what makes different birds unique, our kids had the chance to discover, touch, listen and learn in an interactive way.

We love experiences like this that make learning fun, encourage curiosity and help our kids connect with the world around them.

A big thank you to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center for spending time with us today!

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury among older adults.

Stop by the Steps to Stay Steady Community Falls Prevention Fair on Friday, September 25, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Schuetze Center, 1120 Baxter Street in Waukesha.

This free community event will feature information and resources to help older adults remain safe, active, and independent. Attendees can learn about exercise and strength-building, home safety, medication management, proper footwear, and community support services. Free vision, hearing, and falls risk screenings will also be available.

Stop by anytime during the even and say hi to us!

America's biggest untapped talent pool is hiding in plain sight.

"More than three decades after the ADA became law, those assumptions continue to limit opportunity. Employers may not openly discriminate, but many still view disability through the lens of risk. They worry that an employee will be less productive, require costly accommodations, or present management challenges.

Too often, those judgments are made before a candidate ever has the chance to demonstrate their abilities."

America's biggest untapped talent pool is hiding in plain sight Millions of disabled Americans are still being overlooked because employers make assumptions about what they can and cannot do.

Our partners at Beyond Vision are looking for a Production Supervisor. Please pass along to anyone who may be interested in working with this amazing organization!

We are hiring for a Production Supervisor here at the VisABILITY Center in West Allis, WI.

The Production Supervisor supports the Production Manager by overseeing daily manufacturing operations and providing guidance to direct labor team members. This role ensures team members follow established work instructions, safety procedures, and quality standards while maintaining an efficient and organized work environment. The Production Supervisor monitors production data, inventory accuracy, and ERP entries to support timely and accurate reporting. This position also collaborates cross-functionally to resolve production issues, improve processes, and drive continuous improvement across the production floor.

Apply today: https://ow.ly/iE4B50ZKU0s

Today, our Outreach Specialist, Veronica, is in Kenosha connecting with Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) providers and sharing resources that can help children with visual impairments and their families thrive.

At Vision Forward, we provide specialized services designed to help children build skills, confidence and independence at every stage of development. Our team can support children and families through:

• Early childhood education and development
• Occupational, physical and speech therapy
• Orientation and mobility to build safe, independent travel skills
• Vision services and specialized instruction
• Assistive technology
• Music therapy
• Support for families as they navigate their child’s vision loss

We know that every child is different, and the right support can make a meaningful difference in how a child learns, grows and experiences the world.

We’re proud to connect with CLTS providers and help make sure families know about the resources available to them.

Learn more about the CLTS Program: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/clts/index.htm

Access for everyone.

We'd like to thank our Store Coordinator, Mary for her exceptional customer service—not only with our customers, but with our vendors as well.

Back in March, Mary placed an order with HumanWare for a Reveal 16 video magnifier for a seven-year-old in Outagamie County. What would typically be a few weeks of waiting for the family turned into several months. The product was undergoing an upgrade, and shipment was paused until the new version could complete all required testing.

Throughout the process, Mary stayed in regular contact with HumanWare, following up on the shipping status and advocating for updates. Just as importantly, she kept the family informed every step of the way, so they knew what was happening with their order.

These situations can be especially challenging because many of the specialty products we provide are only available through a single vendor. That means we are often working on their timeline and have very little control over delays. Mary’s consistent communication helped ensure that, even when the wait was longer than expected, the family knew we had not forgotten about them.

Thank you, Mary, for going above and beyond to keep this customer informed and supported throughout the process.

A new school year means new classrooms, new experiences, new friendships — and new opportunities to grow.

For children who are blind or visually impaired, success at school can look a little different. It may mean learning to navigate a new building, mastering assistive technology, developing independence, or finding new ways to participate alongside their peers.

At Vision Forward, we help children build the skills, confidence, and independence they need to take on each new school year — and every milestone beyond it.

Because vision loss should never limit a child’s potential.

Here’s to a year filled with learning, discovery, confidence, and possibility!