Community Living Advocacy Team

The Community Living Advocacy Team focuses on promoting policies and programs that support people with disabilities in living independently in their own homes and communities. Members work together to identify challenges and advocate for solutions that help people access the services and supports they need to live as independently as possible.

This team discusses and advocates around important long-term care programs such as Family Care, Partnership, IRIS, Medcaid, and Medicare. Members also address broader issues including accessible and affordable housing, community-based services, and other resources that help people with disabilities remain in their homes instead of institutions. Through discussion, information sharing, and advocacy efforts, the team works both locally and nationally to strengthen community living options.

Community Advocacy Teams are open to people with disabilities, family members, advocates, Independence First staff, and anyone interested in advancing disability rights and independent living. Meetings are held in a hybrid format so participants can attend in person at Independence First or join online through Zoom. A call-in option is also available.

Meeting Schedule:
2nd Tuesday of each month
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
On Zoom or In-Person at Independence First in Milwaukee
540 S. 1st Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Anyone interested in participating in the Community Living Advocacy Team should contact Brian Peters at bpeters@independencefirst.org or 414-937-5912. Brian can also assist with accommodation requests for participation.

Reasonable Accommodations  
Independence First is committed to providing the highest degree of accessibility when offering agency-sponsored events. Please notify Brian Peters at (414) 937-5912 with your disability-related accommodation requests by 2 weeks before the event. We will do our best to honor accommodation requests made after this date. 

Environmental Chemical Sensitivities 
For the safety and comfort of those with chemical and environmental sensitivities, Independence First requests that when attending agency-sponsored events, please refrain from using any perfumed products such as scented soaps, deodorants, perfumes, colognes and heavily scented fabric softeners. To maintain a smoke-free environment, please also refrain from smoking in paths of travel and doorways.