Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

What Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired does

Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired (WCBVI) is a Madison, Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1952 that serves Wisconsin residents who are blind or have low vision through three programmatic pillars: Advocacy, Education, and Vision Services. The organization employs approximately 21 staff, including credentialed professionals holding CLVT (Certified Low Vision Therapist), CVRT (Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist), and COMS (Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist) certifications. Its board comprises roughly 16 directors, and Denise Jess serves as Executive Director.

WCBVI's core service offering combines clinical vision services with retail and educational programming. Clinical services include Low Vision Evaluations, Vision Rehabilitation, Access Technology Training, and Orientation & Mobility Training, delivered by certified specialists. The Sharper Vision Store functions as a multi-channel retail operation (online, phone, in-person) supplying low-vision aids and assistive products. Educational and community programming extends to free support groups, a $2,000-per-recipient scholarship program, a white cane program, quarterly virtual access technology classes via Zoom, and Birding By Ear classes delivered in partnership with the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and Aldo Leopold Nature Center. In 2023 the organization added a public Sensory Garden developed with Rock Prairie Master Gardener, Marquette Neighborhood Association, Willy Street Co-op, and AARP Wisconsin, extending its physical community-asset footprint.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit funding stack: individual donations, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, workplace giving via Community Shares of Wisconsin, grants, retail sales through the Sharper Vision Store, and recurring special events including Dining in the Dark (launched 2013; ticketed at $65) and Gallery Night. The organization also participates in VisionServe Alliance, a national consortium, and received the Community Shares of Wisconsin Civil Rights Defender Award (for Executive Director Denise Jess) and Change-Maker Award in 2023. The business model is community-funded rather than transaction-funded, with no enterprise customer concentration and pricing that reflects small-ticket, high-volume engagement across an underserved population.

Name

Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

Legal name

Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

Website

https://wcblind.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired is a Madison-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1952 that provides advocacy, education, vision rehabilitation, and access technology services to Wisconsin residents who are blind or have low vision.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAKAKAJ

Low Vision Rehabilitation

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Ophthalmology & Optometry

SECONDARYEDALAGAD

Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Disability Services & Accessibility

SECONDARYHSABAJAB

Accessibility & Universal Design Consulting

Home & Personal Services/Elder Care & In-Home Care Services/Home Safety Assessment & Aging-in-Place Modifications

SECONDARYEDACAFAN

Vision & Hearing Early Intervention Services

Education/Early Childhood Education/Early Intervention & Developmental Services (0–5)

Keywords

• Vision rehabilitation services
• Assistive technology training
• Low vision evaluations
• Disability advocacy services
• Orientation and mobility training

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the Council's mission to promote dignity and empowerment of people with vision loss. Monthly giving program (White Cane Circle), tribute gifts, and general donations.
2. Special Events: Fundraising events including Dining in the Dark experiential dinners ($65 per person) and Gallery Night art showcases. Over $25,000 raised through Dining in the Dark since 2013.
3. Retail Sales - Sharper Vision Store: Retail outlet offering adaptive products and supplies for people with vision loss. Customers can shop in person, online, or by phone.
4. Planned Giving: Bequests and estate gifts through the Legacy Circle program. Planned giving strengthens the Council's ability to provide services long-term.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsors support Council events such as Gallery Night, Advocacy Days, and other educational programs. Sponsors include SVA Certified Public Accountants, Marquette Neighborhood Association, Lake Effect HR & Law, Thrivent Financial, Moses Altsech Consulting.
6. Workplace Giving: Member of Community Shares of Wisconsin, allowing workplace giving through payroll deductions. Also registered with Network for Good and Great Nonprofits.
7. Grant Funding: Grants from foundations and organizations including Thrivent Choice Dollars program for eligible members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired delivers direct vision rehabilitation services to Wisconsin residents who are blind or have low vision, including functional low vision evaluations, in-home vision rehabilitation, access technology training (screen readers, smartphones, smart home devices), and orientation & mobility (white cane) instruction. The organization also operates the Sharper Vision Store retail outlet for adaptive products and supplements clinical services with community programs such as the Dining in the Dark experiential fundraiser, Gallery Night art showcase, and postsecondary scholarships.

Product overview

Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of services organized around three core pillars: advocacy, education, and vision services. The organization's offerings include direct client services such as Low Vision Evaluations, Vision Rehabilitation Services, Access Technology Training, and Orientation & Mobility Training; educational programs including Access Technology Classes, the Council Courier Newsletter, and Toolkits on topics like pedestrian safety and accessibility; community events like Gallery Night, Dining in the Dark, and Birding By Ear; and the Sharper Vision Store retail outlet. The portfolio also includes a Scholarship Program for students with vision loss and support groups. The organization does not operate a unified software platform but rather provides distinct service programs and educational resources aimed at empowering people in Wisconsin who are blind or low vision.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sharper Vision Store: Retail outlet offering adaptive products for people with vision loss
• Council Courier

Products and services

• Sharper Vision Store Retail outlet offering a wide range of adaptive products and aids tailored for people with vision loss. Customers can shop in person at the Madison headquarters, online at store.wcblind.org, or by phone.
• Low Vision Evaluation Functional low vision evaluation helping adults understand and maximize existing vision by evaluating vision function, contrast, color, and lighting, with recommendations for optical and non-optical aids.
• Vision Rehabilitation Services In-home, workplace, or on-site classroom services providing comprehensive assessment of the impact of vision loss on daily activities, including adaptive skills training and assistive device instruction.
• Access Technology Services Assistive technology training helping people with vision impairments maximize technology use through one-on-one training sessions, including instruction on screen readers, smartphones, and smart home devices.
• Orientation & Mobility Training Skills training for moving around safely, efficiently, and independently, including white cane navigation, using public transit, and developing strategies for independent travel.
• Access Technology Classes Quarterly group classes held virtually on technology topics including Windows 11 demonstrations, Google Home, Amazon Echo, JAWS, iPhone Basics, Free Screen Readers, GPS, Shopping Online, and Built-In Magnifiers.
• White Cane Program Program providing free white canes to Wisconsin residents who are blind or low vision, with one cane available at no cost every 24 months or more frequently for students.
• Dining in the Dark Experiential dinner fundraiser ($65 per person) where guests are blindfolded during a 4-course vegetarian meal to challenge attendees to rethink the importance of vision in the food experience. Held at Skip's After Market, Madison.
• Gallery Night Annual event celebrating and showcasing the work of Wisconsin artists with vision loss who create in a range of media including paintings, photographs, digital drawings, fiber arts, wood carvings, and ceramics.
• Birding By Ear Class teaching techniques for identifying birds by close listening ($25.00 per person), appropriate for people both with and without vision loss. Hosted at Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Monona.
• Scholarship Program Academic scholarships supporting Wisconsin students living with vision loss pursuing postsecondary education at two-year colleges, four-year universities, or graduate programs. Several $2,000 scholarships are awarded each year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every 7 minutes someone in America becomes blind or visually impaired
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rock Prairie Master Gardener AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Planned and installed the Sensory Garden at the Council headquarters in summer 2023, creating a multi-sense adventure with fragrant and textured plants.
• Marquette Neighborhood AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Provided funding through the Willy Street Co-op's Community Reinvestment Fund to cover cost of plants, flower pots, soil, and mulch for the Sensory Garden.
• Community Shares of WisconsincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Council is a member of Community Shares of Wisconsin, a federation that raises money to support member organizations working for social, economic, and environmental justice. The Council receives 100% of workplace giving gifts through this channel.
• VisionServe AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisionServe Alliance is a partner organization supporting the Council's mission. The alliance connects organizations serving people with vision loss nationwide.
• Southern Wisconsin Bird AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts the Birding By Ear class with the Council and Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon) organizes the event.
• Aldo Leopold Nature CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts the Birding By Ear class with the Council and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance. Event held at Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Monona.
• Skip's After MarketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant partner hosting Dining in the Dark fundraiser on August 31. Provides venue and dining experience for this experiential fundraiser.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• VisionServe Alliance: National network of nonprofit organizations serving people with vision loss; the Wisconsin Council is a member. VisionServe Alliance is directly comparable in mission (advocacy, education, vision services) and partnership structure.
• Prevent Blindness: National nonprofit focused on vision health, advocacy, education, and early detection; offers public awareness campaigns and professional resources. Comparable in education, advocacy, and screening/service mix.
• Hadley (Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired): National nonprofit providing distance-learning education and resources for people with vision loss. Comparable in education-focused mission, especially for access technology and daily living skills training.

Regional players

• Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind: Regional nonprofit in the Washington, D.C. area providing low vision services, rehabilitation training, and adaptive products. Comparable in low vision evaluation, rehabilitation, and retail/service combination.
• Bosma Enterprises: Indiana-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, employment, and adaptive services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Comparable in regional vision rehab service model and employment-focused training.

Broad incumbents

• American Council of the Blind (ACB): National advocacy and service organization for people who are blind or visually impaired. Comparable in mission across advocacy, education, and direct services, with affiliated state chapters.
• American Printing House for the Blind (APH): Nonprofit organization producing accessible educational materials and adaptive products for blind learners. Comparable in mission serving people with vision loss and product/educational resource offerings.
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB): Largest national membership-based advocacy organization for the blind, offering advocacy, scholarships, and resources. Comparable in advocacy and education mission but operates at a much larger national scale.
• Lighthouse Guild: Multiservice nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and access technology training in New York. Comparable in vision rehabilitation, low vision evaluation, and adaptive technology service lines.

Others

• Lions Clubs International: Service organization with longstanding vision programs (including vision screening and the Lions Eye Health Program). Comparable ecosystem partner for vision advocacy and service referrals, though not a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@wcblind1
• Facebookfacebook.com/WCBlind
• Instagraminstagram.com/wcblind
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wcblind

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired