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Archive 2006
Articles from The Business Journal
Sending a message
Videophones, relay services help the deaf communicate with the hearing world
by Brooke Knudson
Posted July 14, 2006
Recent technological advancements such as the videophone and video relay service are making it easier for deaf people to communicate. For people like Brian Peters, a housing program coordinator with IndependenceFirst in Milwaukee, the videophone and relay service are increasing the speed and fluidity in which he communicates by phone with the hearing community. To read the full story, see http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/07/17/story7.html
Articles From Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online
New views to help in planning
Minorities to offer input through regional task force
By SCOTT WILLIAMS
Posted: Dec. 25, 2006
Racial minorities in the Milwaukee area have long complained that they had no voice in planning transportation, housing and other major issues.
Nearly 200 years after the region was settled, that could be about to change.
A regional planning agency involved in such issues as freeway construction and water quality is taking steps to change decades of disengagement by minorities, as well as people living in poverty and those with disabilities.
Click here for full story http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=545578
CapTel likely to unveil plans
Announcement expected today for call center that would create up to 600 jobs
By TOM DAYKIN
Posted: Aug. 8, 2006
A Madison company providing telecommunications services for people with hearing loss is expected to announce today its plans to open a second operation that could create up to 600 call-center jobs within five years in downtown Milwaukee.
For the full story see http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=481559
City's newest urban development comes with some unexpected amenities
By FELICIA THOMAS-LYNN
Posted: July 29, 2006
Margarett Sinclair's two-story house has spacious rooms, a large eat-in kitchen and a feature found in the homes of many well-to-do families: an elevator. "I feel like I am one of these elite people who lives out in the suburbs," said Sinclair, 48, gleaming. "God has blessed me with a gorgeous house that I could never pay for." The amenities in the home that Sinclair shares with two of her children are part of an innovative City of Milwaukee Housing Authority project for low-income residents. To read the full story, see http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=477329
Robert David Hall 'Takes Five'
'CSI' star to discuss his career and his real-life disability
Posted: May 6, 2006
Robert David Hall, who snagged the role of a lifetime as quirky coroner Albert Robbins on the hit TV series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," traveled a long road to get there. After losing both legs below the knee in a 1978 car crash, it was a struggle for Hall in Hollywood. He will be the guest speaker for the "Tap Into the Power of People With Disabilities" lunch sponsored by Independence First at 11 a.m. June 15 at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee. Hall spoke recently with reporter Felicia Thomas-Lynn.
For full story, see http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=421637
Weekly laurels and laments
From the Journal Sentinel
Posted: May 5, 2006
Kudos to the City of Milwaukee and federal officials for reaching an agreement on a plan that will make the RiverWalk more accessible to people in wheelchairs or those with disabilities. The agreement will involve the installation of five elevator lifts and three ramps, with construction possibly beginning this fall. The agreement comes as a result of a complaint filed by IndependenceFirst, an organization always on the alert for ways to make public spaces more usable by those with disabilities. The organization deserves a hat tip, as well.
Posted: July 14, 2006
It's good news that the disabled will benefit from $1.5 million in modifications to the Milwaukee RiverWalk under terms of a settlement announced this week between the city, the U.S. Department of Justice and IndependenceFirst, an advocacy group that brought the complaint. Ramps, walkways and lifts are among the modifications that will allow the disabled more access to one of Milwaukee's best ideas.
Helping hand at the gas pump is the law
Advocacy group working to get word out, reduce obstacles
By SCOTT WILLIAMS
Posted: May 14, 2006
In her wheelchair, Sinead Raleigh struggles to maneuver alongside the gas pump and reach the buttons necessary to fill her automobile's tank. The situation is an obstacle that Raleigh and other disabled motorists face often. It is also illegal.
For full story see http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=423781
$1.5 million plan adds access to RiverWalk
By GREG J. BOROWSKI
Posted: May 1, 2006
The City of Milwaukee has reached an agreement with the federal government to make $1.5 million in changes to the downtown RiverWalk so it will be more accessible to people in wheelchairs or with disabilities.
For full story see http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=420102
Settlement to improve access to RiverWalk
By GINA BARTON
Posted: July 11, 2006
An investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into allegations that the Milwaukee RiverWalk violated the Americans with Disabilities Act has resulted in a settlement agreement, the U.S. attorney's office announced Tuesday.
The investigation, which began in 2003 after a complaint from the group IndependenceFirst, revealed 28 violations of the act that limited access to the RiverWalk for wheelchair users, the agreement says.
<Click here for full story>
City boosts access for those with disabilities
Sites dropped; ramps and doorbells installed
By KAY NOLAN
knolan@journalsentinel.com
Posted: April 2, 2006
The City of Milwaukee has abandoned 17 polling sites that are not accessible to people with disabilities, and has made improvements to others, such as ramps and special doorbells, in time for Tuesday's election.
For full story see http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=412833
Group home zoning change backed
Milwaukee faces legal challenges to rule facilities for disabled be 2,500 feet apart
By FELICIA THOMAS-LYNN
fthomas-lynn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Feb. 22, 2006
A nearly 30-year rule restricting the placement of group homes in the city of Milwaukee came one step closer to being struck down Wednesday, as officials voted to repeal a 2,500-foot spacing requirement for facilities that serve the disabled.
See http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=403483for full story.
Articles from OnMilwaukee.Com
Gallery Night highlight: "Who I Am -- Not How I Am"
By Julie Lawrence
OMC Staff Writer
Published Oct. 20, 2006
As an artist, Becky Trochinski says she doesn't especially like talking about her work -- at least in an interview setting, anyway. Lucky for us, her work pretty much speaks for itself, and loudly, at that.
She's a multi-media art teacher at Bradley Tech High School, a recent recipient of a M.A. in Cardinal Stritch's accelerated visual studies program, a proud mother of an 11-month-old and also suffers from muscular dystrophy, a condition that keeps her body weak and bound to an electronic wheelchair.
For full article about Gallery Night at IndependenceFirst see http://onmilwaukee.com/ent/articles/beckytrochinski.html?10003
"CSI" actor brings disability awareness to Milwaukee
By Tyler Casey
Posted June 12, 2006
Each Thursday at 8 p.m., millions of viewers tune in to watch (or TiVo) the CBS drama “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Among the notable characters on this ensemble show, the coroner, Dr. Albert Robbins, stands out -- partly for his dignified matter and partly because of his pronounced limp. What few viewers know is that the limp is real because actor Robert David Hall has two prosthetic legs.
<click here for full story>
Articles from Alternative Sources
Posted October 2006
East Town Association
INDEPENDENCEFIRST – ( 600 W. Virginia St., 6 th Fl. – 414.291.7520) Works of Becky Trochinski “Who I Am-Not How I Am" Artist and art instructor Trochinski uses provocative computer layered digital photography to aid visitors to feel her experiences over the years. Her work helps accept her disability as external, while maintaining her true inner self. Friday: 5 to 9pm
http://www.historicthirdward.org/events/GalleryNightParticipants.php
Domestic violence workshop focuses on risk to people with disabilities
By Brandi Pettit
Posted October 21, 2006
For the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune
While many people envision battered women when the topic of domestic abuse is discussed, most don't realize people with disabilities are at a greater risk of being abused, experts say.
"Women with disabilities have a 51 to 90 percent higher chance of being sexually assaulted," said Leslie Meyers, a domestic counselor and specialist with Independence First, a Milwaukee-based resource organization for people with disabilities.
To read the full article go to http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006610210498
Making the Transition Into Community Living
By Dana Turner
Posted November 2006
One drastic misdiagnosis forever changed Susan Sinden's life in a heart beat. She was a mother and a wife who went to the doctor with a cough. "The doctor thought it was asthma and gave me Advair, then sent me home. I was supposed to follow-up the following week with an appointment, but I never made it," says Susan. Four days later, she was in the emergency room feeling very sick. Susan didn't wake up until twelve days later.
To read about IndependenceFirst and the full article see http://protectedtomorrows.com/community/articles/158.php
Attitude, Not Cost, Barrier to Disabled Workersby
Catherine Komp
Posted March 9, 2006
Recent data shows employers who make an effort to accommodate employees with disabilities can do so at little cost and great benefit
Click here for full Story http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=2909
IndependenceFirst is Powerhouse in Seeking Full Inclusion for People with Disabilities
Posted Summer 2006
Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development Newsletter
See page three in this newsletter for full article at http://www.wphd.org/whoweare/newsletter/2006/sum_06.pdf
Articles from the Small Business Times
Posted August 23, 2006
The brochure is available at the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce, ACAP and IndependenceFirst and will also be distributed in the business community soon.