Independence First - The Resource for People with Disabilities

Independence First - The Resource for People with Disabilities THE resource for people with disabilities serving the Greater Milwaukee area. 20+ programs serving youth and adults with disabilities of all kinds.

01/30/2026

“There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.”

Michael Wolfe, Independent Living Coordinator at Independence First, leads our weekly peer support group for people with spinal cord injuries and in this conversation, he explains why peer support matters so deeply.

Too often, recovery focuses only on the physical injury. But mental trauma, stigma, financial realities, and the circumstances surrounding an injury—especially gun violence—are frequently overlooked. As Michael shares, not all injuries come with the same support systems or safety nets, and that difference can be life-changing.

This peer group began as a space for individuals impacted by gun violence and has grown to include people with all types of mobility-related injuries. By bringing people together who share lived experience, the group creates space for honesty, understanding, and healing that can’t always happen in a clinical setting.

🗓️ Spinal Cord Injury Peer Support Group
📍 Independence First
🕓 Tuesdays | 4:00–8:00 PM

If you're interested in taking part, please reach out.

01/28/2026

🎶 Finding calm, one note at a time. 🎶

Today, Independent Living Coordinator Nina Gutmanis is trying out one of our newest mindfulness tools, a thumb drum!

Instruments like this are used in our workshops and classes to help people explore soothing sounds, increase awareness, and support self-regulation in ways that feel accessible and fun.

01/28/2026

Social isolation isn’t caused by deafness. It’s caused by barriers.

Today, Denise Johnson shares what it feels like to be left out when access isn’t considered. Remember, accessibility is always a choice. Interpreters, captions, and visual communication aren’t extras. They’re what make participation possible.

📩 Contact us to learn how to create more inclusive spaces.

01/26/2026

New tools. More options. Greater independence.

Our Assistive Technology team has added a wide range of new devices over the past year made possible through grant funding from WisTech and the Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP).

Our goal in Assistive Technology isn’t to make decisions for people. It’s to provide information, options, and hands-on experiences so individuals can decide what works best for them. That’s independent living. 💙

Here’s what’s happening this week at Independence First 👋🧘 Tuesday (Jan 27)• Winter Mindfulness Workshop• Spinal Cord In...
01/26/2026

Here’s what’s happening this week at Independence First 👋

🧘 Tuesday (Jan 27)
• Winter Mindfulness Workshop
• Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
• Life on the Spectrum Peer Group

🤝 Wednesday (Jan 28)
• Support Group for Professionals on the Autism Spectrum

Each of these groups offers connection and community. 💙

👉 Details on how to take part—including times, formats, and how to register—can be found on the Events page of our website (link in comments).

We hope to see you this week!

01/24/2026

“Can’t you just read lips?” 👄
It’s a common assumption and it’s not accurate.

About 75% of speech sounds aren’t visible on the lips, which makes speech reading exhausting and often unreliable. It can be even more challenging for people who are DeafBlind or have low vision.

Accessible communication means captions, written communication, and qualified interpreters.

Access isn’t a courtesy it’s a right.

Today would have been Ed Roberts’ 87th birthday. And while it’s the coldest day of the year so far, these portraits have...
01/23/2026

Today would have been Ed Roberts’ 87th birthday. And while it’s the coldest day of the year so far, these portraits have a way of making you feel warm.

Last week, we shared a video about Ed’s life and impact. Today, we wanted to honor him in a different way by highlighting the art that surrounds us every day at Independence First.

Throughout our building, you’ll find photographs and portraits of Ed. You’ll also find several works by Patrick William Connally, a close personal friend of Ed’s. These pieces are prints of Connally’s paintings, known for their bright colors, expressive forms, and imperfect lines that give each scene a sense of motion and life.

They feel fitting. Ed’s legacy was never static. It was active and full of movement. Connally’s paintings feel alive in much the same way the Independent Living Movement continues to be today.

Happy Ed Roberts Day!

🚨 Now Hiring: 18 Open Positions! 🚨Looking for meaningful work that truly makes a difference? The Aging & Disability Reso...
01/23/2026

🚨 Now Hiring: 18 Open Positions! 🚨

Looking for meaningful work that truly makes a difference? The Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is hiring and they’re looking to fill 18 open Options Counselor positions at an in-person hiring event next Monday.

🗓 Monday, January 26
⏰ 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
📍 Zoofari Conference Center
📄 On-the-spot interviews. Bring your resume!

Options Counselors work directly with older adults and people with disabilities, helping connect them to resources that support independent, safe, and healthy living. If you’re passionate about community impact and want a role with growth potential, this is a great opportunity.

To learn more and apply ahead of time see the link in the comments.

Please share to help spread the word. These roles make a real difference in our community. 💙

01/22/2026

“People think caregiving is easy. It’s not.”

Maria has been caring for her sister Brittany since she was just 12 years old. She shared what that role truly means to her: love, responsibility, and the powerful reminder that seeing Brittany smile means she’s doing enough.

They support each other. They grow together. 💙

📣 Your voice matters.The Milwaukee County Aging Services commission is hosting Policy Priorities Public Listening Sessi...
01/22/2026

📣 Your voice matters.

The Milwaukee County Aging Services commission is hosting Policy Priorities Public Listening Sessions, and they want to hear directly from older adults, caregivers, and advocates about the local, state, and federal issues that matter most to you.

This is a chance to speak up, share your experiences, and help shape policies that impact aging and disability in Milwaukee County.

Three Upcoming listening sessions:
• January 27 – Milwaukee Public Library, Good Hope Branch (5:30–6:30 PM)
• January 28 – Clinton Rose Senior Center (9:30–10:30 AM)
• January 29 – Virtual on Zoom (12:00–1:00 PM)

We encourage our community to participate and make sure lived experience helps guide policy decisions. 💬♿

01/21/2026

Getting good sleep is essential but for many people with disabilities, it can be a real challenge.

This month, our Assistive Technology team put together a “Get Better Sleep” display, highlighting tools that can help people fall asleep more comfortably and wake up more easily. From talking alarm clocks and bed shakers to calming light, sound, and sensory supports, these solutions show how accessibility can make a meaningful difference in everyday life.

Better sleep supports health, focus, pain management, and overall independence because accessibility matters even when we’re resting. 💙😴

Address

540 S 1st Street
Milwaukee, WI
53204

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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