Society's Assets

02/19/2026

Shannon Kafura, a past recipient of the Dollars For Scholars scholarship from Society's Assets shares about the scholarship program. Shannon is currently pursuing her PhD in Neuroscience at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

02/17/2026

Attention all graduating high school students, continuing college students, or adults returning to school! There is still time to complete our scholarship application. Please read the application criteria carefully and contact Society's Assets with any questions by calling 262-619-3607 or emailing supportsai@societysassets.org.

02/16/2026

WisTech is Wisconsin's assistive technology program funded under the AT Act of 1998. WisTech provides information on selecting, funding, and using assistive technology.

Assistive technology is any item, device, or piece of equipment used to maintain or improve the functionality of people with disabilities, allowing them to be more independent in education, employment, recreation, and daily living activities. Assistive technology includes the services necessary to get and use the devices, including assessment, customization, repair, and training.

For more information on how to utilize our Loan Closet (Supported by WisTech), call Society's Assets at 800-378-9128.

02/10/2026

Kalli Hauter, Senior Engagement Coordinator and Steph Schwartz, Executive Director at Society's Assets stand with students and their winning art drawings at Concordia Lutheran School in Racine. The contest is a way to promote disability awareness and acceptance through art to win a prize.

02/06/2026

The next Taking Care of You class series begins on Tuesday March 3rd. This is for adult women with disabilities. Learn to manage life's challenges in a healthy way. The cost is free to attend. Contact Tami to register at 262-619-3612. Please request any accommodations by February 18th.

02/06/2026

Announcing the next round of our annual Youth Art Contest winners: 4 third place winners from All Saints Catholic School. This year's theme was "Everyone Can." Students draw, paint, or color art as a way to promote disability awareness and acceptance. Pictured with the winners, left to right, is Kalli Hauter, Senior Engagement Coordinator at Society's Assets, Terri Gilliland, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Society's Assets, and Stephanie Schwartz, Executive Director at Society's Assets. Stay tuned for the next round of winners to be announced!

01/29/2026

Society's Assets sponsors an Annual Youth Art Contest. This year's theme was "Everyone Can." Students will draw, paint, or color art as a way to promote disability awareness and acceptance. Executive Director, Stephanie Schwartz, gives an award to one of the 1st place winners at Grant Elementary in Kenosha. The student won the category of 3rd through 5th grade. He smiles in the second photo and hugs Stephanie in the third while his art teacher, Mr. Grover, smiles proudly in the background. Over 600+ entries were received this year! More winners will be announced in the coming weeks. Thank you to all who have participated this year and previous years.

01/23/2026

Ed Roberts (January 23, 1939 – March 14, 1995) is widely considered the father of the independent living movement. As a teenager, Roberts survived polio, but the neurological effects were long lasting and he used a wheelchair to get around. His fight for independence began in high school, when officials wouldn’t let him graduate because he was missing what the school considered a core class – – drivers education. He did not accept this and advocated until they agreed to let him graduate with his classmates. He advocated for suitable housing on the University of California Berkeley campus, for curb cuts on sidewalks, and for support from the California Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. These experiences shaped his values and future, leading to full-time advocacy and barrier removal for people with disabilities.

Roberts and other students with disabilities attending UC Berkeley started the first center for independent living in 1972. His staff were people with disabilities helping others to advocate for themselves, for others, and in order to make the world a better place for all persons with disabilities to live.

Society’s Assets is a center for independent living, founded in 1974 in Racine by Dan Johnson who became paralyzed from the neck down in 1963 as the result of a high school wrestling accident in Racine. Johnson, as an adult, led efforts to educate the community and to discuss accessibility, transportation, and long-term support services such as personal care that would allow people to live in their own homes.

01/20/2026

Did you know Wisconsin has eight Independent Living Centers — each serving a unique region, but all working toward the same mission?

Together, we ensure that every county in Wisconsin has access to:
▪ disability resources
▪ independent living skills
▪ advocacy
▪ transition assistance
▪ peer support
▪ and more!

Every center plays a critical role in supporting people with disabilities in their region, and we’re grateful for their partnership.

If you’re not sure which ILC serves your county, reach out — we’ll help you connect to the right place.

Options for Independent Living
Midstate Independent Living Choices, Inc.
Independent Living Resources
Compass IL
indiGO Wisconsin
Society's Assets
Access to Independence
Independence First - The Resource for People with Disabilities

01/16/2026

01/14/2026

Please mark your calendars for our most anticipated event of the year. This event always sells out at the 175 maximum occupant capacity. Ticket sale announcement before spring.

Thank you to all previous contributing sponsors, donors, and event volunteers. Please save Thursday, June 18, 2026 on your calendar for our next Dollars For Scholars event: A Fundraiser Hosted by Society's Assets. This fundraiser provides students with disabilities financial assistance to reach their academic goals.

This coming year's Honorary Chairperson is Hamza Jaka. Hamza is a past Society's Assets scholarship winner. He attended UC-Berkely for both his undergraduate degree and law school. Hamza says, "The Society's Assets scholarship helped boost my confidence, gave me security, and showed me that people care about my future outside of academics. I will never forget that support.”

Please consider becoming one of our sponsors or increasing your sponsorship contribution level for 2026. We hope to see you in June whether returning or joining us for the first time!

01/12/2026

Words have power. The words we use affect how we think. How we think affects how we treat people. Learn to see the person before the disability by using person-first language. Read on for substitutions for phrases that do not put the person first.

Words have power. The words we use affect how we think. How we think affects how we treat people. Learn to see the person before the disability by using person-first language. Read on for substitutions for phrases that do not put the person first.

Society's Assets
5200 Washington Avenue, #225 ¨ Racine, WI 53406
(262) 637-9128 ¨ (800) 378-9128 ¨ Relay Number: 711
A Resource for Individuals with Disabilities Since 1974

Society’s Assets, a nonprofit, non-residential Independent Living Center (ILC), provides life resources for people with disabilities in Southeast Wisconsin (Racine, Kenosha, Walworth, Rock, and Jefferson counties) to support their independence. Our five core Independent Living (IL) services are Information & Referral, Skills Training, Advocacy, Peer Support, and Transition Assistance. Additional services include Assistive Technology (WisTech), Home & Vehicle Accessibility Assessments, Benefits Counseling, Representative Payee Services, and Personal Assistance Care/Home Care.

Learn more at www.societysassets.org or contact us for details at 800-378-9128.