Independent Living Resources

02/01/2026

Check out this local program put on by our friends at the Viroqua Library!

Free Community Program on Transportation Options! 🚐🚕🚌
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • 2:15–3:15 PM
📍 McIntosh Memorial Library – Lobby
205 South Rock Ave., Viroqua, WI

Looking to learn more about local transportation services? Stop by the library for a one‑hour session featuring helpful info from local experts:
🚍 Amanda Running – Overview of the SMRT bus and Viroqua taxi
🚐 Amy Emerson – Transportation options available through the ADRC, including the ADRC bus
🤝 Kris Markert – Transportation services offered by Helping Hands

This event is FREE and open to everyone—no registration required! Just meet us at the library.

📞 Questions? Call 608‑637‑7151
📅 Add it to your calendar and bring a friend!
Let’s keep our community connected! 💚

01/30/2026

Electric wheel chair available as donation. Located in La Crosse County. Please contact us if you're interested! 608-787-1111 or advocacy@ilresources.org

01/29/2026

🌟 Transit Equity Days 2026 – Let’s Celebrate and Take Action! 🌟

For the past eight years, the Labor Network for Sustainability has lifted up accessible, sustainable public transportation as a civil right every February 4th, Rosa Parks’ birthday. 🚍✊
Learn more about their national work on their website: https://www.labor4sustainability.org/transportation/transit-equity-2025/

Here in La Crosse, we’ve been celebrating Transit Equity Days since 2020—and we’re excited for another great year! Please share the flyer, online or in print, and help spread the word!

More info can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iauytpuHDxorJgGsA-y4M4PV1W2R5SV2J9903-U8Stw/edit?tab=t.0

01/29/2026

FREE Durable Medical Equipment! Help us empty our DME closet! We have plenty of re-use items available to anyone in need. Items such as:

- Toilet Rails
- Commodes
- Bed Rails
- Walkers
- Positioning pillows/seating
- Canes
- Crutches
- AND MORE

If you're not sure if we have it, we just might! Go ahead and give us a call 608-787-1111 to claim any items. First come first serve.

01/28/2026

HCCC is working to secure funding to provide rice and essential items to support our most vulnerable community members during this difficult time. Please consider supporting or sharing this message.

Thank you for standing with our community. 💙

01/27/2026

Challenging youth in Juneau County to disability trivia today!

Thanks ADRC of Eagle Country Juneau County Office for organizing this County Communities on Transition event!

01/22/2026

📣 SAVE THE DATE: Disability Advocacy Day 2026!
📅 March 19, 2026
📍 Monona Terrace & Wisconsin State Capitol – Madison, WI
🕙 In-Person | 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Disability Advocacy Day is back in person! This day of action brings together Disability Advocates from across Wisconsin to connect with their legislators and speak up about issues that matter. Attendees will join a morning briefing and then head to the Capitol for legislative visits in the afternoon.

https://www.survivalcoalitionwi.org/index.php/events/

Registration is FREE—but required!
✔ Registration opens February 1
✔ Use your home/voting address
✔ No walk-ins or on-site registration
✔ Direct Care Workers assisting attendees must register too
⏰ Deadline to register: Noon on February 26, 2025

🗓 AGENDA AT A GLANCE
9:00 AM – Check-in at Monona Terrace
Resource tables • Photo booth • Storytelling
10:30 AM – Briefing on Survival Coalition’s current issues, planning time & lunch
12:15 PM – Rally at the State Capitol (MLK Blvd entrance – 3 blocks away)
1:00–3:00 PM – Legislative Visits
3:00–3:30 PM – Check-out & debrief at the Capitol

01/19/2026

Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the vision he shared of a more just and equitable society for all people.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also a National Day of Service — a reminder that advancing civil rights includes ensuring dignity, access, and opportunity for people with disabilities. The fight for equity does not end with race; it extends to disability rights, inclusion, and the removal of barriers that limit full participation in our communities.

In observance of the holiday, ILR is closed today. We look forward to reopening tomorrow as we continue our work to support, empower, and advocate alongside the disability community.

“I have a dream” means a world where everyone belongs.

01/15/2026

Donation of a sit to stand available! Located in La Crosse County. Please contact us if you're interested and we can discuss further details. 608-787-1111 (walker not available-just pictured for scale)

12/29/2025

📢 Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) News & Updates

The Becoming Hearing Empowered book study group is back by popular demand!

✅ What is it?
Join a virtual book discussion with author Katherine Ryback and a small group of participants. This is a great opportunity to explore the book Becoming Hearing Empowered and connect with others.

📅 Dates & Times:
Session 1: January 7–January 28, 2026
Session 2: February 18–March 11, 2026
Time: Wednesdays, 6:00–7:30 PM (Central)
📍 Location: Zoom

📌 Important:
Register by January 1, 2026 to ensure you receive your book before the first session!

For questions or help with registration:
📧 Email: dhsodhhbhi@dhs.wisconsin.gov
📞 Call: 608-234-2046

Link to Register:

Join Behavioral Health Initiative's book study group, facilitated by the author of the book. This group will meet weekly on Wednesday evenings (6:00-7:30pm) for 8 sessions: Jan 7, Jan 14, Jan 21, Jan 28, (SKIP Feb 4 and 11), Feb 18, Feb 25, Mar 4, Mar 11, 2026 Location: Virtually on ZOOM

12/19/2025

✨ Holiday Schedule Update ✨

We’re spreading holiday cheer and want to keep you informed!

Doors will be locked starting December 19, 2025, and will reopen January 5, 2026.
But don’t worry — we’re still OPEN for business! Just ring the doorbell, and we’ll be happy to help.

Holiday Closures:
December 24–26, 2025
January 1, 2026

Wishing you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays and a joyful New Year! 🎉

12/10/2025

❄️ Snow Shoveling Safety Tips ❄️
Winter weather is here, and many of us will be clearing snow in the coming days. At , ILR we empower people of all abilities to stay safe and independent—so let’s talk about smart shoveling!

✅ Get Ready Before You Start
Hydrate with plenty of water
Stretch your arms, shoulders, back, and legs
Know your limits—don’t push beyond them

✅ Prevent Slips and Falls
Check for icy spots and treat them right away

✅ Use Proper Technique
Push snow instead of lifting when possible
If lifting, bend your knees, keep feet wide, and maintain a neutral back
Keep arms close to your body for power and stability
Avoid twisting—move your feet with your torso

✅ Work Smart
Pace yourself and take breaks
Stop if you feel tired or overheated