Access to Independence

01/09/2026

Our Accessibility Services team was proud to partner with the City of Madison, Wisconsin Government to deliver an ADA Checklist Training: From Compliance to Usability—Understanding the “Why” Behind the ADA Checklist.

This training helped deepen understanding of core ADA design principles and equipped city staff with the tools to identify and prevent barriers before they occur. Ensuring access is more than checking a box, it’s about creating spaces that are welcoming, usable, and inclusive for everyone.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the City in strengthening accessibility across our community!

01/07/2026

We are honored to share that Access to Independence has received a grant from the Evjue Foundation! This grant will support housing services provided by Access to Independence. Such services include housing-related information, resources, and referrals; completing housing applications and appeals; housing advocacy for needs like accessibility and service animals; and supporting individuals with locating housing options, including those that are affordable and accessible.

The Evjue Foundation, The Capital Times charitable arm, has granted nearly $73 million in grants since it was established in 1958.

Thank you to the Evjue Foundation for investing in our community and helping us continue to make a difference!

Learn more:

Recipients of major grants in this funding cycle include Access Community Health Centers and the United Way of Dane County.

01/05/2026

🧡 Starting 2026 In Gratitude

2025 brought its share of challenges, including a temporary funding pause during the government shutdown. But thanks to your generosity—whether through donations, sharing our message, or simply believing in our mission—we kept moving forward

Despite the challenges in 2025, we made incredible strides!

✨ Highlights from 2025:

-The Artists Beyond Boundaries showcased accessibility in art
-Our Adaptive Gaming Expo opened doors for inclusive gaming
-We launched the Bilingual Transition Specialist role to make language access a core part of our services
-The Accessibility Services team completed major projects
-We welcomed a new Assistant Director to lead growth of our work and impact

💙 Thank you for supporting us, for believing in independence for all people with disabilities, and for helping us create a community where everyone belongs.

12/24/2025

Holiday Hours of Operation ⛄

❄ On Friday, December 26th, and Friday, January 2nd, our office doors will remain locked, and we will offer services by appointment only.

❄ We’ll still be responding to voicemails, emails, and web inquiries on those days.

❄ If you need to visit the office on those days, please schedule an appointment in advance. Call us at 608-242-8484 or email info@accesstoind.org

🧡 From all of us at Access to Independence, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful New Year! Thank you for being part of our community—we look forward to serving you in 2026.

12/18/2025

Our kitchen came alive during last night’s Youth Cooking Class! Youth Services Specialist Tara and Assistant Director Chelsey worked side by side with students, teaching them essential cooking skills that build independence and confidence. Together, they explored fresh ingredients, navigated different kitchen appliances to cook rice, and created colorful nacho platters and hearty burrito bowls. Our stomachs are still rumbling thinking about it!

Youth cooking classes and many other skills training classes are available to CLTS participants. Build confidence, social connection, and independence in a fun environment! To learn more, contact our office at 608-242-8484 or email info@accesstoind.org

12/17/2025

Do you want to learn more about the power of collective action to impact issues important to the disability community? Whether it’s cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, the lack of caregivers, quality education, or other issues important to the disability community, this training will give you the connections and skills to have a greater impact on public policy.

The Survival Coalition is a group of disability organizations in WI, and is offering a free, virtual, 3-part community organizing training

If you have questions about the training, you can contact Jeremy Gundlach at jeremy.gundlach@wisconsin.gov. Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

Register here:
bit.ly/CommunityOrganizing2026

If you are interested in connecting with others in our area to tackle advocacy issues, please reach out to us at 608-242-8484 or email info@accesstoind.org

12/04/2025

Friend of the agency, and author Cheryl Schiltz will be doing a book reading at JavaAbilities this Saturday! This would make a great weekend plan.

We have a very exciting event coming up this upcoming weekend and I hope that you'll be able to join us. Please join Cheryl Schlitz as she shares her story of being introduced to disability and her journey. I've known Cheryl for many years and been impressed with her work and her advocacy.

This book reading, discussion and signing will happen at JavaAbilities this upcoming Saturday December 6th at 1:00 pm.

Please plan to grab any goodies or coffee before we close by 2pm and settle in for an edifying time and discussion. Books available for signing as well as Cheryl's photography art (which is amazing) will be on display.

We hope JavaAbilities can continue to host events like these and ask that even if you can't attend that you would share.
❤️

https://cherylschiltz.com/about-cheryl-schiltz/

12/03/2025

We are excited to share that Chelsey Myhre Foster (she/her/they/them) has joined Access to Independence as our new Assistant Director!

Chelsey brings a wealth of experience, fresh energy, and a strong commitment to supporting our mission and the communities we serve. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the team and look forward to more of the leadership, insight, and passion she has already brought to our work.

Please join us in giving Chelsey a warm welcome as they step into this new role!

11/27/2025

Our office will be closed November 27th and 28th. We will re-open at 8am on Monday, December 1st. Thank you!

11/27/2025

Thank you for believing in our work, and for helping us continue empowering people with disabilities in our community.

While we are relieved that the federal government shutdown has come to an end, the impact on our organization will not disappear overnight. Access to Independence is now entering a transition period as we wait for our funding to resume — a process that is taking time to materialize.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has already stepped forward with donations, encouragement, and shared messages. Your generosity has made an immediate difference and helped us stay grounded during a challenging time.

As we move through this recovery period, support is still much needed. If you are in a position to give, please visit https://givebutter.com/helpaccess

11/20/2025

We are so excited to be in partnership with Community Shares of Wisconsin, and thrilled to be involved with these other amazing organizations that are making real differences in Wisconsin!! 🧡