Press Room
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Dena Fellows, Badger Association
work: 414-615-0134
cell: 414-526-7998
dfellows@badgerassoc.org
DATE: July 29, 2010
NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL GRANT CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED 
The Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. has received a $10,000 grant from the Northwestern Mutual Foundation in recognition of financial representative James Dobrinska, CLU, ChFC, CFP’s outstanding volunteer involvement as part of the company’s 16th annual national Community Service Award program.
Dobrinska is one of 25 financial representatives being recognized as top volunteers. Through the program funded by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, more than $275,000 will be donated this year to various nonprofit organizations nationwide.
“I am honored to be a leader of the Badger Association as we embark on a new era after a recent merger that has allowed us to expand our mission of providing opportunities to children and adults with vision loss,” said Dobrinska. “I am grateful for Northwestern Mutual’s support of the Association.”
Dobrinska has been an active volunteer in leadership positions with the Badger Association for the past four years. He was the first community member to be appointed to the Board of Directors and his extensive financial background has been invaluable to the Foundation Board in overseeing endowment investments. Jim was a strong advocate for the recent merger of the Badger Association and the Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Children, spending countless hours assuring that the process went smoothly and all potential issues were clearly addressed.
“Jim Dobrinska is truly a valued and respected member of the Badger Association family. His volunteer service, enthusiasm and dedication to our mission will serve the needs of the visually impaired population for generations to come. The Northwestern Mutual Community Service Award is an excellent way to recognize the valuable contribution that Jim makes to his community and thousands of people who are challenged with vision loss,” stated Patrick Brown, Executive Director.
Dobrinska was presented with the Community Service Award during Northwestern Mutual’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at the company’s headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Since the Community Service Award program’s beginning, over $3 million has been contributed to more than 300 non-profit organizations throughout the country.
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Two Area Nonprofits Merge to Create Lifelong Opportunities
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dena Fellows, Badger Association
work: 414-615-0134
cell: 414-526-7998
dfellows@badgerassoc.org
BADGER ASSOCIATION AND THE CENTER FOR BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILRDEN MERGE
TO CREATE LIFELONG OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND
MILWAUKEE, WI. – January 26, 2010 – On January 1, 2010, the Badger Association and The Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Children merged to create one comprehensive, full-service vision resource organization expanding opportunities for children, adults, and families living with changing vision. The vision of the new organization is to foster independence and successful integration of people of all ages who are visually impaired and offer a continuum of care and support throughout their lives.
This merger will better position the new organization to meet the increasing needs of people in our state with vision loss. The Wisconsin Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired estimates that as many as 200,000 Wisconsin residents are blind or severely visually impaired. The Office also estimates that approximately 3,000 people with potentially blinding eye diseases (diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc.) are examined in the state each week. As baby boomers age, Prevent Blindness projects that the number of Americans affected by age-related blindness will double by the year 2030. The National Eye Health Education Program affirms that the growing prevalence of eye diseases is a major public health problem that reduces quality of life. By combing resources, staff and leadership, the merged organization will be better positioned to reach out and serve so many in need.
The Badger Association began operating in 1919 to help adults cope and adapt to living with varying stages and degrees of vision loss. The Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Children began providing specialized early intervention services for children in 1967. With more than 130 years of combined service, the Association and The Center now align their strengths to form Wisconsin’s premier resource center for all people who are blind and visually impaired.
Patrick Brown, Executive Director, explained the merger as a partnership that emerged from “both organizations’ board of directors believing that a complete merger would best further the missions of serving individuals of all ages with visual impairments and maximize efficient use of community resources.”
“Our hope was that these efforts would lead to a synergy of programs dedicated to enhancing quality of life and increasing opportunities for independence among children and adults who are living with vision loss within the Great Milwaukee community,” recalled Terri Davis, Associate Director, past Executive Director of The Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Children.
After sufficient funds are raised, all programs of the merged organization will operate out of the Badger Association’s current facility on Hawley Road. A wing will be renovated and specifically tailored to meet the therapy needs of children who are blind or visually impaired.
About the Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired
The Badger Association is a private, nonprofit organization governed by its members, dedicated to promoting personal development, career growth, and community awareness through specialized services and programs for people who are blind and visually impaired. Last year, over 6,000 individuals participated in specialized training and education services, community outreach programs, found independent living solutions, and purchased adaptive tools. Learn more at www.badgerassoc.org.
About The Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Children
The Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Children has been the only agency in Wisconsin to provide the specialized early intervention services required to meet the unique needs of children who are blind or visually impaired. The Center has a 42 year history of successfully serving the special education, therapeutic and developmental needs of children from birth through age six who are blind or visually impaired and their families. Historically, the Center has served 80 to 100 children and their families each year.
“A Recipe for Success”
December 18, 2008
Jennifer Ottowitz, Badger Association Rehabilitation Therapist, and Julie Hapeman, Mobility Instructor, co-authored an article entitled “A Recipe for Success” which was published in the “Re-view”, a national professional journal.
The article discusses their efforts teaching cooking to visually impaired high school students from Juneau High School.
A PDF copy of the entire article is available for download.
“A Recipe for Success” (PDF)
Outlook Shoppe Featured on WUWM’s Lake Effect
October 24, 2008
The Badger Association’s Outlook Shoppe was featured on an episode of Lake Effect on WUWM. This was a great opportunity for the Outlook Shoppe to reach out to people in Milwaukee County living with vision loss.
To listen to the Outlook Shoppe segment,
stream it live.
to download a copy of the Outlook Shoppe segment,
download the file.
Celebrating literacy and success for children who are blind
April, 2007
MILWAUKEE, WI
At a time when the unemployment rate for working age blind people is at 74% Braille literacy has proven to be one of the highest predictors of success in later life for blind students. It’s estimated that about eighty-five percent of blind and visually impaired people who are employed are Braille readers (National Federation of the Blind).
To celebrate and promote braille literacy and accessibility, the Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, along with Volunteer Services for the Visually Handicapped, will host its 6th Annual Braille Games on Friday, March 7th at the Badger Association from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Conducted in partnership with the Milwaukee and outlying area school districts, this intergenerational competition will join experienced, Braille literate adults with children who are just learning Braille.
People who are blind must be taught adaptive skills such as Braille in order to communicate and maximize their independence. The challenge for the public school system to adequately meet specialized needs of children with vision loss is significant due to the lack of resources needed to reinforce Braille.
Jennifer Ottowitz, Badger Association Communications Rehabilitation Instructor, teaches adults Braille, along with other adaptive communication skills. “If you can imagine not being able to read or write, that’s the impact that not knowing Braille has on people who are blind or visually impaired.” Ottowitz states, “Learning Braille is crucial for someone’s freedom; it opens all the same doors for people who are blind as learning to read does for those who are sighted.
Braille Olympics strengthens the individual’s skills through creative, recreational competition. During this event celebrating Braille and Braille literacy, six teams of adults and children will compete in activities. The Dr. Samuel S. and Anne W. Blankstein Family Fund graciously sponsored this year’s event.
The Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired has been committed to serving southeastern Wisconsin for nearly a century by promoting personal development, career growth and community awareness through specialized services and programs for people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information on the Badger Association’s Rehabilitation Services please call 414-615-0121.