Welcome

Welcome to our site.  We are a local chapter of the state-wide consumer organization—Washington Council of the Blind (WCB).  In turn, the WCB is a state chapter of the American Council of the Blind (ACB).

On the local level, we are a 501(c)(3) organization.  We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Check our calendar for the location of the meeting.  Come at 1:30 for socializing.  Our business meeting begins at 2:00.

We are pleased to welcome new members—those new to the prospect of decreasing vision or those who have experienced vision loss in the past.  Some of our members are friends or spouses of other members and have not experienced vision loss or blindness.

Locally:

  • We have participated in helping to fund the accessible signals that give audible and tactile indication that the Walk sign is illuminated.
  • We have participated in health fairs and other opportunities to let others know about life after vision loss or blindness.
  • We supply brochures to appropriate settings where they can be found by people who have questions about vision loss.
  • We provide programs of interest related to blindness at our meetings.
  • Sometimes we just share informally about what life has taught us individually.
  • We participate with our state organization by serving on its committees and supporting such state-wide programs as scholarships for college students; the quarterly Newsline publication; and lots more.  See the many committees and programs that we participate in at the state level. WCB Committees Page

Individually: we are a diverse group with a wide variety of hobbies, skills, and interests.  We share in the common belief that there is life after blindness and life abundant.

What’s Happening?:

      • All our meetings are on the 4th Tuesday of every month unless otherwise noted.  Meet us at Clarette’s Restaurant, 15 S. Touchet St. Walla Walla at 1:30 for a no-host lunch and at 2:00 for our business meeting and program.  .
      • August 23, We will have a high school graduate of the Washington State School for the Blind, class of 2016 speak at our meeting.  Since graduation, she has trained with and received her first guide dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind.  she also will have completed a 5-week program at Eastern Washington University (Bridge Program) sponsored by Department of Services for the Blind.  It is a program designed to help blind and visually impaired students transition to the college experience after high school.  She lives in Walla Walla with her family and expects to attend Walla Walla Community College this fall.  Her talk should be most interesting and informative.
      • September 27, Ki Bealey, Public Works Director for the city of Walla Walla will be speaking to us about distracted drivers.  Yes, this is an important topic for pedestrians as well.
      • Many pharmacies are now offering prescription labeling in alternative formats.  Learn more at http://lflegal.com/2016/03/talking-label-2016Update/
      • Be sure to check out the following link.  President Alco Canfield Interview: K-LOVE radio’s Becky Hansen talks with UBWW President Alco Canfield on September 20, 2015. Here, on the CloserLook program, she gives a thumbnail sketch about our organization.