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

Independence First - The Resource for People with Disabilities

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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.

02/20/2026

This week we loaded up the van and headed to Waukesha to visit our partners Team Up With Families and Katy's Kloset Medical Equipment Lending Library. 🚐♿

Katy’s Kloset is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that lends durable medical equipment to the community at no cost. Sometimes they receive complex power wheelchairs that are beyond their lending capacity, and that’s where our Assistive Technology team comes in.

We picked up four donated power chairs, including one that’s nearly brand new. With the right repairs, batteries, and expertise, these chairs can become life-changing mobility solutions for people who are stuck in the gap between worn-out equipment and insurance replacement timelines.

This partnership keeps valuable equipment out of landfills and puts independence back in motion. ♻️💙

Check out the full story about our collaboration in the comments below.

02/20/2026

Love above everything. ❤️

On National Caregivers Day, we’re honoring Sonia Ruiz, a Milwaukee mom who has cared for her daughter Jessica since the day she was born.

Jessica is nonverbal. The days can be hectic. The challenges are real. And much of what caregivers do happens behind the scenes unseen, unrecognized, but deeply important.

“It’s challenging. But I feel love is the most important. Just keep loving that person.”

Today we recognize Sonia and every caregiver who shows up, day after day, with strength, patience, and love. 💙

02/19/2026

Love when partnerships turn into possibility. 🚐♻️

Today our team traveled to Waukesha to pick up four donated power wheelchairs from Team Up With Families and Katy's Kloset Medical Equipment Lending Library, a volunteer-driven nonprofit that lends durable medical equipment to the community at no cost.

Sometimes Katy’s Kloset receives equipment that’s too complex for their lending model. That’s where we come in.

With our expertise, we can:
🔧 Repair and refurbish chairs that don’t turn on
🛠 Rebuild and customize equipment for individual needs
♻️ Salvage usable parts to keep other chairs running
🤝 Act as the bridge between donated equipment and the people who need it most

One of the chairs we picked up, a nearly new Permobil F3, could make a life-changing difference for someone whose current chair is worn out but who isn’t eligible for a replacement yet. That gap is real, and it’s frustrating. This partnership helps close it.

The average piece of durable medical equipment is used for just a few months, but it can last for years. Instead of sitting in a garage or heading to a landfill, it can restore independence.

This is what community collaboration looks like. 💙

02/18/2026

Are you a professional on the Autism Spectrum?

Navigating workplace challenges alone can be exhausting. We’re continuing a Support Group for Professionals on the Autism Spectrum in partnership with Autism United of Wisconsin.

🗓 Meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM

💻 Held on Zoom
🎯 Topics include:

• Housing 101
• Starting a New Job
• Assistive Technology in the Workplace
• General peer support sessions

This group creates a space to connect with other professionals on the spectrum who understand the unique dynamics of workplace life.

📌 RSVP required

Contact Peter Lucas at 414-226-8379 V/Relay or PLucas@independencefirst.org

02/18/2026

Looking for a fun, accessible way to stay active? Our Assistive Technology Specialist Tim Kiley is taking this Sunseeker handcycle for a spin around Independence First to show how this arm-powered trike works.

With three forward speeds, adjustable seating, foot supports with straps, and a comfortable cushioned sling back, this adaptive cycle can be a great option for riders with strong upper-body control, including people who are paralyzed from the waist down.

This donated handcycle typically retails for $1,600+, but it’s now available in our eBay store for less than half that price.

Interested? Visit our eBay store or contact Independence First for details.

02/18/2026

FREE Power Wheelchair Available

We have a donated Quickie Pulse 6 power wheelchair ready to go to someone who can use it. This mid-wheel drive chair includes tilt, adjustable and flip-back armrests, swing-away footrests, and a contoured back with headrest. The only thing it needs is new Group 22 batteries.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this chair and can pick it up, please contact:

📞 Cindi Pichler: (414) 226-8385
📧 cpichler@independencefirst.org

Please share to help us connect this chair with someone who needs it.

02/17/2026

FREE Power Wheelchair Available

Independence First has a donated Quickie Pulse 6 mid-wheel drive power wheelchair available at no cost to someone who can use it.

This chair features:

Mid-wheel drive for tight turning

Tilt function

Contoured back and headrest

Height-adjustable, flip-back armrests

Swing-away footrests

Note: The chair is in good condition but will need new Group 22 batteries.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this wheelchair and are able to pick it up, please contact our Assistive Technology team:
📞 Cindi Pichler: (414) 226-8385
📧 cpichler@independencefirst.org

Please feel free to share this post to help us connect this chair with someone who needs it.

02/17/2026

Action Alert: Wisconsin Assembly Voting on AB 598 Today

Today, the Wisconsin State Assembly is voting on AB 598, also called the Patient’s Representative bill. Disability and aging advocates are concerned the bill could allow hospitals to choose a decision-maker for a patient who cannot speak for themselves and give that person broad power over medical care, housing, and finances without strong oversight or an easy way to remove them.

You can take action:

• Contact your State Senator and State Assembly Representative and share your thoughts on AB 598.
• Contact Governor Tony Evers to share your perspective. Your voice can help inform whether this bill is signed or vetoed.

Hearing directly from constituents especially people with disabilities, older adults, and family members can make a real difference.

02/16/2026

Presidents’ Day reminder: disability has always been part of American leadership.

Throughout U.S. history, at least 11 presidents had documented disabilities. They ranged from learning disabilities and epilepsy to hearing loss, chronic illness, mobility disabilities, and speech disorders. Their stories are a powerful reminder that disability is not a barrier to leadership, achievement, or independence.

As we celebrate Presidents’ Day, let’s also celebrate the diversity of experiences that have shaped our nation’s highest office.

02/14/2026

We’re feeling the love at Independence First! ❤️

This week, staff celebrated Valentine’s Day with a fun non-alcoholic Bloody Mary bar, complete with tomato juice, specialty mixes, and a variety of toppings and juices generously provided by our team.

Beyond the fun, tomato juice also offers some great wellness benefits. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant linked to heart health, along with potassium, vitamins B and E, and other helpful nutrients, a perfect Valentine’s theme for caring for our hearts!

Thank you to everyone who helped organize this creative and healthy celebration and to all who joined us.

02/13/2026

It was great weather for today's Senior Food Distribution!

We served 39 local seniors through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Access to reliable, nutritious food plays an important role in helping older adults stay healthy and independent, and we are grateful to everyone who makes this program possible each month.

A special thank-you to our partners at Hunger Task Force, Inc. for providing the food boxes that support our community, and to the Aurora Health Care Mobile Health team for joining us onsite to offer free health screenings and wellness resources to participants. Your partnership helps make this event even more impactful.

We appreciate the volunteers, staff, and partners who help ensure seniors in our community have access to both nutritious food and important health services. Together, we are building a healthier and more connected community.

02/13/2026

Got your plans in place for 2031? The Wisconsin Department of Transportation already does.

Yesterday, the Department of Transportation hosted a public open house at Independence First to discuss the upcoming WIS 32 (South First Street) improvement project, which will cover roughly ¾ mile from Florida Street through the Third Ward, across the bridge, and ending near St. Paul Avenue. The project includes pavement replacement, updated curb ramps, traffic signal improvements, and an evaluation of bicycle facilities, with construction currently planned for 2031.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to review plans, ask questions, and share feedback. Opportunities like this help ensure future infrastructure works better for pedestrians, transit riders, bicyclists, and drivers of all abilities.

If you were not able to attend, additional information about the project is linked in the comments, and future opportunities for public input are expected as planning continues.

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

Website

http://www.independencefirst.org/

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