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.

Do you have autism? Join our weekly peer group for teens and adults!Topics will cover skills to live your best life and ...
08/29/2025

Do you have autism? Join our weekly peer group for teens and adults!

Topics will cover skills to live your best life and find support. About anything…life, relationships, family, mental and physical state (whatever is on your mind!).

All meetings take place at Independence First:
540 S. 1st Street, Milwaukee

Group meets 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday evenings

Let us know if you are joining us! To RSVP or to request accommodations, contact Tonya Villwock at 414-226-8138 or tvillwock@independencefirst.org

More info:
https://www.independencefirst.org/Events/Life-on-the-Spectrum.htm

Independence First hosted a public briefing last week on the proposed 2026 Milwaukee County department budget requests a...
08/25/2025

Independence First hosted a public briefing last week on the proposed 2026 Milwaukee County department budget requests and the reasoning behind some of the proposed changes. The Milwaukee County budget is important for funding services for children and adults with disabilities and mental health needs, for older adults, and other community members and three county departments gave presentations on upcoming changes.

Members from Independence First, Center for Deaf-Blind Persons, Inc. , Disability Rights Wisconsin ,Hope House of Milwaukee , Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired , Lutheran Social Services of WI & Upper MI, Milwaukee County Aging Services, Mental Health America of Wisconsin ,Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force, Our Space, Inc., Outreach Community Health Centers, People First Wisconsin , Serenity Inns, Vision Forward, Cathedral Center, and Wisconsin Community Services, as well as several members from the public were in attendance. Cuts to transit and mental health services are particularly concerning, but the conversation was productive, stressing the need for folks to be informed and engaged in every step of the process. Thank you to everyone who participated and was involved in making this event happen!

Independence First was proud to host a phenomenal workshop provided by Hildebrand Law Firm LLC for the deaf community. ...
08/20/2025

Independence First was proud to host a phenomenal workshop provided by Hildebrand Law Firm LLC for the deaf community. We discussed seven threats to our estate plan such as; not understanding the law, losing control of finances, and failing to "plan when you can." Leah Simmons from Independence First says, "We had over 40 people come to this workshop and deaf people are still talking about it today!”

Did you miss our Women's Financial Education Series in June? It filled up fast! Don't worry, we have two more chances fo...
08/19/2025

Did you miss our Women's Financial Education Series in June? It filled up fast! Don't worry, we have two more chances for you to join Independence First and Credit Union for free. You could even receive $50 towards your account when you attend both classes in a series!

RSVP is required. To RSVP (seats are limited) and to request accommodations, contact Tonya Villwock at 414-226-8138 or tvillwock@independencefirst.org

More info about the sessions:

Milwaukee September 4th & 11th:
https://www.independencefirst.org/Events/Financial-Education-Series.htm

Milwaukee October 2nd & 9th:
https://www.independencefirst.org/Events/Financial-Education-Series-for-Women---Milwaukee.htm

Waukesha September 4th & 11th:
https://www.independencefirst.org/Events/Financial-Education-Series-for-Women---Waukesha.htm

Waukesha October 2nd & 9th:
https://www.independencefirst.org/Events/Financial-Education-Series-for-Women---Waukesha1.htm

Are you looking for housing and need some help getting started? Are you seeking information on housing assistance progra...
08/12/2025

Are you looking for housing and need some help getting started?

Are you seeking information on housing assistance programs or are puzzled by housing laws?

Join us for this informational workshop to learn about your rights and to learn more about community resources.

Let us know if you can make it! Contact Phillip Corona at 414-226-8377 or pcorona@independencefirst.org

More info: https://www.independencefirst.org/Events/Housing-101.htm

Do you have a disability? Do you need help navigating dating?Tomorrow is the first workshop in our dating and relationsh...
08/06/2025

Do you have a disability? Do you need help navigating dating?

Tomorrow is the first workshop in our dating and relationships series. This free workshop is a fun and informational way to learn about how to communicate with an interested partner appropriately, to review the do’s and don’ts of dating, and to discuss how to get to a second date. We will explore the world of body language and learn how to read social cues.

RSVP required. Please register or re-register with the new contact if you already signed up: Hope Lloyd at 414-226-8105 or hlloyd@independencefirst.org. Let Hope know if you have any accommodation requests.

All meetings take place at Independence First - main office:
540 S 1st St. Milwaukee, WI 53204

Group meets on August 7th, August 14th, and August 21st from 1:00-2:30PM.

More info here:
https://www.independencefirst.org/Events/Dating-and-Romance-Talks---Milwaukee.htm

Thank you to everyone who attended our ADA anniversary event, celebrating 35 years since the signing of this important a...
07/31/2025

Thank you to everyone who attended our ADA anniversary event, celebrating 35 years since the signing of this important act. We hosted many community members, leaders, and organizations who support disability rights. A special thank you to our co-presenters City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and Visit Milwaukee.

Attendees enjoyed a hearty breakfast catered by Delectables By Donna Catering and a slice of celebratory cake from National Bakery & Deli. We also hosted an interactive resource fair on-site with Focus on Energy, the Milwaukee ADRC, and the Fire Department including a demo of accessible voting machines with City of Milwaukee Election Commission and City of West Bend's Clerk's Office.

Just returned from the NCIL Conference, where over 500 individuals from across the United States gathered to champion di...
07/30/2025

Just returned from the NCIL Conference, where over 500 individuals from across the United States gathered to champion disability rights. The workshops were informative and empowering, the march to the Capitol was truly inspiring, and advocating with legislators reminded us of the power of our collective voice. Proud to stand alongside so many passionate advocates working toward equality and accessibility in our nation! -Marci Boucher President and CEO

It was a hot and humid day on Friday, but that didn't stop our amazing volunteers from providing food and resources to s...
07/23/2025

It was a hot and humid day on Friday, but that didn't stop our amazing volunteers from providing food and resources to seniors in need. Thank you to our neighbors at the Capital First Trust Company Milwaukee office for the volunteers! And thanks to Hunger Task Force, Inc., we were able to provide stock boxes including fresh peaches and lettuce. Our Assistive Technology department distributed 48 donated items!

Address

540 S 1st St
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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