Independence First

As a Center for Independent Living, Independence First has a vision for full inclusion of people with disabilities in every aspect of our community and commits itself toward this end. More than 50% of our staff have disabilities and many work directly with people in the community seeking our assistance. This peer approach puts people who have first-hand knowledge and experience in touch with people seeking help. Independence First fights for change in systems that stand in the way of equal opportunity and inclusivity. We work with other advocacy agencies and with community leaders, employers, and the general public for awareness. Independence First also works with people to advocate for themselves in any situation that impedes equality.

Independence First is a federally funded Center for Independent Living (CIL) serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington Counties. Our mission is to help empower people of any age and any disability to be able to flourish in the community. In addition to our five core services of Advocacy, Information & Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Support and Institutional & Youth Transition, we offer more than 40 other programs, services and workshops and for a variety age groups. Independence First also provides trainings on topics such disability etiquette, ableism, person first & identity first language and sexuality education. Other services we offer include the WisLoan and Telework program, an alternative financing option for people seeking assistive technology related funding, Disability Mentoring Week, a career exploration and job shadowing opportunity for youth, and an ADA accessibility assessment program to help local schools, businesses and government facilities become more accessible. We also offer a Personal Assistance Services (PAS) program to help people with disabilities hire and train their own caregivers and a robust AT Resource program that provides home modification assessments and that assists people with disabilities find and try the assistive technology that can help them meet their needs.