News

  • IndependenceFirst's own Becca Murray became the youngest female to play on Team USA for Women's Wheelchair Basketball in the Paralympic Games in Bejing, China--and she won the gold medal with the team! To learn more about Becca and see her homecoming (Note:  video NOT captioned)


    click here for more>


  • IndependenceFirst was named a Miracle on Canal Street Charity by Potawatomi Bingo Casino!  Their random drawing was held in late summer and will involve volunteer support, opportunities for outreach and cash. 

    Read More >>


  • Manpower corporate offices have selected IndependenceFirst  as a volunteer partner!  Manpower staff will target programs including Employment/Benefits, Computer Recycling, and others in helping develop the workforce of today and tomorrow.  We are one of 11 organizations that Manpower will be volunteering with.


    Click here for more information>


  • StoryBridgeTV.com chose our adaptive waterskiing program to film on one of their story segments. (Warning: video is NOT captioned)


    View the video here


  • On July 23 the National Council on Independent Living's Awards Banquet in Washington DC honors Lee Schulz, Executive Director of IndependenceFirst in Milwaukee with The Max Starkloff Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to the Independent Living Movement.
    click here for more>>


  • Volunteer Fred Kneuppel won a national Volunteer Award in Washington DC for his work at IndependenceFirst but instead of going, he stayed to volunteer for our big event.  Fox 6 did a news feature on his dedication.  (Warning:  Video not captioned)


    Click here to see more


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Using This Site

IndependenceFirst strives to be accessible in all the information we provide to the community. Please select the Display Settings link to view our site in alternative color schemes.
For assistance on using this site or for more information about this site please select Help.
For more information on accessible web site design please visit our Accessibility Resources page.


Who's On First!?:

IndependenceFirst

on First Street!

 
IndependenceFirst will be moving its offices later in October 2008 to 540 South 1st Street with an accessible 40,000 square foot office space.  Our new location is transforming before our eyes! 
 
Email pcox@independencefirst.org if you'd like to be notified of the Community Open House date.

click here for pictures of the new building 

Welcome to IndependenceFirst

Since 1979, IndependenceFirst is your primary resource on access and independent living for people with disabilities primarily serving four-county Metro Milwaukee.

Over 51% of IndependenceFirst's onsite staff, managers and Board have disabilities! With our vision for full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of the community, IndependenceFirst is truly consumer-controlled and "walking the talk."

IndependenceFirst provides many services for the community, businesses, people with disabilities and their families. So, bookmark this, link it and check back to stay up to date on IndependenceFirst activities!




 

Spotlight

a celebration of caring coffee table book

Our Book on Caregiving

A Celebration of Caregiving: Portraits & Stories is the our IndependenceFirst book that features 41 inspiring vignettes about the relationships between caregivers and the people they assist, accompanied by striking B/W and color photographs which illustrate those relationships. It showcases the contributions of caregivers so that the value of the work they perform will be better understood and appreciated by all. For more about the book, please visit www.caregivingbook.org 

To order the book now, see http://www.independencefirst.org/Store/category.asp
 




 



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  • Looking to make a tax-deductible contribution to a worthy nonprofit cause? Want to get involved in advocacy efforts? Have extra time you’d like to donate to a nonprofit?
    IndependenceFirst can use your time, talent and treasure!
    Find out how you can help. >