Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

A fun moment from this past school year! Our high school and middle school students were able to visit the no. 5 Feel Quill art exhibit and got an artist talk from Leslie Iwai.

The exhibit is made up of concrete blocks that have feather quills put through them. The quills emerge from the concrete to form Braille cells. Students were able to interact and read the art, along with asking the artist questions about the exhibit and her career.

Thank you to Leslie Iwai and the Abel Contemporary Gallery for hosting us! Photo credits: Barry Sherbeck

FIRE Soccer Brings Joy and Teamwork to WSBVI Students!
Yesterday, the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired teamed up with the FIRE Soccer Club TOPSoccer to host an incredible Blind Soccer Event for students.
With guidance from FIRE staff and volunteers, students participated in adapted soccer drills designed for players who are blind or visually impaired. After practicing, they jumped into friendly games where teamwork, communication, and confidence shined on the field.
The energy was amazing as students laughed, cheered, and celebrated every goal and accomplishment. This event wasn’t just about soccer; it was about inclusion, connection, and showing what’s possible when community comes together.
A huge thank you to the FIRE Soccer Club for making this day so memorable for our students!

WSBVI would like to take a moment to celebrate the continued hard work of one of our former students. Tonight, Jasmine Bertschy will be the student commencement speaker at the UW Whitewater Rock County graduation ceremony. Check out the Janesville Gazette article, and help us congratulate Jasmine on her accomplishments!! !

Blind student at UW-Whitewater at Rock County advocates, remains positive through graduation UW-Whitewater at Rock County student Jasmine Bertschy became blind at age 15 from a traumatic brain injury that to this day has not been explained. She remains positive. Bertschy strives

ADDITIONAL SPOTS AVAILABLE: Please register by Wednesday, May 27!

https://forms.microsoft.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=xLL-mQrEMkmvtd-mgSLVb0RRl6d9_GtIlGw2FNaweMVUNUxZN1RZSVUxR1AzQkVGRDZaWVM4OVA2RCQlQCNjPTEu&route=shorturl

During the summer of 2026, the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WCBVI) will host four one-week educational programs for school-aged students who are blind, visually impaired and deafblind. School-aged students (still receiving school-aged special education services) who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind can join us for various week-long residential summer programs! Students will also participate in movement and adaptive PE activities throughout the program, and those staying in our dorms will have engaging outings and activities each night of the program! All students will stay in the dorms unless parents opt to bring them each day.

The programs and student age ranges are as follows:

1) Literacy Alive: Summer Enrichment, June 28-July 3 (Two strands- Entering Grades 3-5 and Entering Grades 6-8)
2) Road to Employment, July 5-10 (students aged 14-21 years who are still receiving school-aged special education services)
3) Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), July 12-17 (students entering grades 3 – 8
4) Adulting 101, July 26-31 (students aged 14-21 years who are still receiving school-aged special education services)

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Join the Fun with FIRE Soccer Club’s TOPSoccer Program!

Special Soccer Session at Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

FIRE Soccer Club and the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired are excited to announce a special Blind Soccer session as part of the nationally recognized TOPSoccer program! This special event is designed for youth athletes who are blind or visually impaired, providing a safe, fun, and supportive environment for all participants.

Event Details:
• Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
• Time: 9am to 2pm
• Location: Wisconsin Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, 1700 W. State St., Janesville, WI
• Cost: Free

During the session, players will enjoy a variety of outdoor soccer activities, culminating in a final game where players and their buddies can showcase their skills. The event will be led by our award-winning, state-certified TOPS coaches and buddies, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience for everyone involved.
TOPSoccer is dedicated to helping every player develop at their own pace, making soccer accessible and enjoyable for all. Whether your child is new to soccer or looking to connect with others in a supportive setting, this event is the perfect opportunity.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic day of soccer, friendship, and community!
For more information and to register, visit https://www.howardfc.com/topsoccer.html or contact Armando Martinez at [email protected].

During the summer of 2026, the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WCBVI) will host four one-week educational programs for school-aged students who are blind, visually impaired and deafblind.

The programs and student age ranges are as follows:

1) Literacy Alive: Summer Enrichment, June 28-July 3 (Two strands- Entering Grades 3-5 and Entering Grades 6-8)
2) Road to Employment, July 5-10 (students aged 14-21 years who are still receiving school-aged special education services)
3) Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), July 12-17 (students entering grades 3 – 😎
4) Adulting 101, July 26-31 (students aged 14-21 years who are still receiving school-aged special education services)

Parents or guardians, please submit the 2026 WCBVI Summer Program Registration Form by Friday, May 8, 2026.

forms.microsoft.com

Professional Mentor Webinar, April 28th, 2026, 3:30-4:30 PM

Come join Chelsea Dallin, College and Career Readiness (CCR) Teacher with the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, who will be interviewed by Dave Ballmann. Chelsea Dallin has taught in the CCR program for the past four years and has helped plan and coordinate the WSBVI Annual Resource Fair. Chelsea previously worked at the school as a School Counselor.

Registration for April Professional Mentor Webinar
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=xLL-mQrEMkmvtd-mgSLVb0RRl6d9_GtIlGw2FNaweMVUMkZMTzNYRDAyMTVYR1YwSFVIM0JSTVJVVS4u&route=shorturl

State Superintendent’s BVI Advisory Council Meeting (May 13, 2026, 10 AM–2 PM)

Consider nominating yourself to be a council member for the 2026-27 school year! Contact us and we will send you the form or talk with you about it.

May 13, 2026
Meeting Location: Via TEAMS
Email [email protected] for meeting information.

Please find more information on this meeting and the link to the Public Notice of Open Meetings below. You may provide input to the meeting via letter, email, phone or in person.

Contact April Peissig, Council Secretary and Kay Rhode, DPI Liaison to the BVI Council at [email protected] (608) 352-6148.

Written input can be sent to the above email address or to:
State Superintendent’s Advisory Council on Blind and Visual Impairment Education Attn: April Peissig 1700 W State Street
Janesville, WI 53546

Advisory Council Chairperson: Julie Hapeman [email protected]

Yesterday WSBVI had a special visit from some Green Bay Packer players. As part of the Packers’ Tailgate Tour, James Jones, Randall Cobb, Evan Williams, Edgerrin Cooper, Desmond Bishop, and Brandon Jackson spent time with our students. While on campus, they answered questions and shared insight related to internal motivation, perseverance, and embracing each other's differences. To make the day even more special some members of our WSBVI Goalball Team demonstrated how the game is played. Then we gave the Packer players an opportunity to try playing too. Fun was had by all! It’s a day we’ll certainly never forget! Here's a couple highlight links from the Packers team as well. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GiRMtJXBK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.packers.com/photos/photos-packers-tailgate-tour-visits-wisconsin-center-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired-parker-high-school-april-16-2026 -6d5e-4fda-883d-c3f1d0831d87