Access to Independence

03/04/2026

We had such a great time at our very Big Share fundraiser!

A heartfelt thank you to Community Shares of Wisconsin for hosting such a meaningful and energizing event. We are so grateful for your partnership and leadership!

To everyone who donated, shared, and showed up in support, thank you! Because of you, our first Big Share fundraiser was a true success. Your generosity helps power independence, remove barriers, and ensure people with disabilities have access to the resources and support they deserve.

03/04/2026

Your Support Makes Independence Possible!

At our core, we believe people with disabilities deserve the freedom, resources, and support to live independently and on their own terms.

As a community-based Independent Living Center led by and for people with disabilities, we don’t fix people — we remove barriers. Every day, we empower individuals to access housing and transportation, build independent living skills, find peer support, and advocate for equal access across our community.

No one is ever turned away because they can’t afford services. That’s why community support is essential.

When you give, you invest in independence, dignity, and inclusion. Your support ensures people with disabilities have the tools, voice, and opportunity to live full, self-directed lives — and helps us build a community where everyone belongs.

Donate today! https://www.thebigshare.org/organizations/access-to-independence

Community Shares of Wisconsin

03/03/2026

Thanks to a generous matching gift, every dollar you give will be matched 1:1 — until the match is fully used. Your $50 becomes $100 in impact — but only while matching funds last. Your gift goes twice as far in supporting independence and accessibility in our community. Thank you Madison Gas and Electric

Donate anytime today, Tuesday March 3rd, to make a huge impact on our services!
https://www.thebigshare.org/organizations/access-to-independence

Community Shares of Wisconsin

03/03/2026

We had a blast filming our "Cooking With Independence" segment of the Big Share Live!

Don't forget Today is the Big Share! The Big Share is an online day of giving that supports the 82 member nonprofits of Community Shares of Wisconsin, Including Access to Independence!

Your support ensures people with disabilities have the tools, voice, and opportunity to live full, self-directed lives — and helps us build a community where everyone belongs.

Donate today: https://www.thebigshare.org/organizations/access-to-independence

03/02/2026

Join us tomorrow as part of the Big Share live hosted by Community Shares of Wisconsin!

From morning panels and live demonstrations to immersive experiences and evening music, this year’s live programming brings together leaders, advocates, artists, and organizers working to build a stronger Wisconsin.

Tune in tomorrow, March 3rd at 8:30 AM for Cooking up Independence!

Join Access to Independence as we do our own morning show segment to highlight assistive technology, skills training and peer support and more through a fun cooking demonstration!

Tune in on Tuesday, March 3rd at 8:30 AM
https://www.thebigshare.org/info/live2026

And don't forget, The Big Share is an online day of giving that support the 82 member nonprofits of Community Shares of Wisconsin. These local nonprofits are working on the causes you care about most including voting rights, healthy food systems, criminal justice reform, housing advocacy, environmental protection, and much more.

Our donation page is https://www.thebigshare.org/organizations/access-to-independence

02/27/2026

We’re gearing up for the BigShare this year!

As a part of this day of giving, we're excited to join in on The Big Share Live! This is a day-long livestream celebrating the work of the member nonprofits of Community Shares of Wisconsin and raising money for those nonprofits during The Big Share 2026!

Join Access to Independence as we do our own morning show segment to highlight assistive technology, skills training, peer support and more through a fun cooking demonstration!

Tune in on Tuesday, March 3rd at 8:30 AM
https://www.thebigshare.org/info/live2026

02/17/2026

Are you familiar with WisLoan and Telework?

These are alternative loan programs that assist Wisconsin residents with disabilities to acquire technologies to become self-employed or to work from home. These loan programs are different from traditional bank loans because a bank doesn’t make the final decision, the WisLoan and Telework Board does. That allows flexibility for people who have an item they need to maintain their independence, but have trouble coming up with the money all at once or finding other ways to pay for what they need.

Want to learn more? Simply contact Access to Independence for information at 608-242-8484 or email info@accesstoind.org

WisLoan and Telework are alternative loan programs that assist Wisconsin residents with disabilities to acquire technologies to become self-employed or to wo...

02/12/2026

Big goals. One powerful day.

The Big Share hosted by Community Shares of Wisconsin, is Tuesday, March 3!

Support Access to Independence during this one-day, community-powered giving event.

Donate now through March 3! When you give, you’re helping ensure that people with disabilities have a trusted place to turn, a voice at the table, and the tools they need to live full, self-directed lives.

Give today to build tomorrow: https://www.thebigshare.org/organizations/access-to-independence

For even more fun, tune in to “The Big Share Live,” a day-long telethon streaming live on TheBigShare.org on March 3.

02/12/2026

Action Alert: The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is up for a vote this week, likely on Wednesday, February 11. If voting rights are important to you, contact your members of Congress.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is up for a vote this week, likely on Wednesday, February 11. If voting rights are important to you, contact your members of Congress.

This act would add more barriers to voting, such as:

Requiring every American citizen to provide specific documents, such as a passport or an original birth certificate, in person when registering to vote and whenever they update their voter registration.

Eliminating mail-in and online registrations.

Requiring photo ID in every state (WI already requires photo ID to vote).

The SAVE Act would disproportionately impact people with disabilities, older adults, women who change their name when they get married, and other minorities.

Millions of Americans do not have access to their birth certificate and obtaining a copy can be costly.

Half of Americans, especially lower-income Americans, do not have a passport.

Eliminating mail-in voting options and online voting registration adds transportation barriers that are already problems for non-drivers.

Find your members of Congress here:
https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Alt text: graphic reads Take Action Now

02/06/2026

📢Action Alert: This past week we learned that the House of Representatives Education and Workforce Committee is hosting a field hearing on the topic of “Work, Dignity, and Choice in Disability Employment.” This hearing will take place at Green Valley Enterprises in Beaver Dam WI, on February 13th at 11:15am.

Green Valley is a facility that employs people with disabilities to work for less than minimum wage. It is the stance of Access to Independence, our state coalition, and our national associations to oppose subminimum wage and segregated employment.

Access to Independence and the Wisconsin Independent Living Network believes that everyone deserves to make at least minimum wage and has been fighting to overturn section 14(c) at the federal level.

🟠We encourage those who can attend the hearing to show up and explain to the House Committee the value of the disability community, and why you deserve a living wage for work. The Hearing is being held at: Green Valley Enterprises, 1223 Madison St., Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

🟠If you are unable to attend, we urge you to contact your Representatives to let them know your stance on paying people with disabilities sub-minimum wage.

02/03/2026

Disability Advocacy Day is back in-person this year and registration is open! Join us in Madison on Thursday March 19th with other advocates from around the state and meet with your elected officials. This is a great opportunity to share your story and educate your legislators on disability rights!

Registration is free but required to attend. Register by March 2nd.

Register here: https://bit.ly/DAD2026

Spanish registration: https://bit.ly/DAD2026Span

02/02/2026

Check out the Clean Lakes Alliance fundraiser for an accessible ramp!

This ramp will provide equitable access for people using wheelchairs, mobility aids, strollers, and adaptive equipment, ensuring that everyone can fully experience this year's Frozen Assets Festival.

https://cleanlakesalliance.org/frozen-assets/