About
Access to Independence
Access to Independence, Inc. is a disability-led and run organization that provides resources, services, and advocacy for people of all ages, all disabilities, and all identities in Columbia, Dane, Dodge and Green counties, in south-central Wisconsin. We are one of eight Independent Living Centers (ILCs) in Wisconsin, and part of a nationwide network of over 400 Centers. All centers share an Independent Living Philosophy and focus on providing services that empower people with disabilities live as independently as they choose. What makes ILC's unique and effective is the majority of board and staff members are people with disabilities.
Our Mission
Access to Independence: A disability-led organization that champions justice and empowers people with disabilities of all ages and identities.
Our Vision
A fully equitable, inclusive, and accessible society where all disabled people belong, and stigma is eliminated.
Our Equity Work
In the fall of 2020, Access to Independence engaged in a partnership with EQT By Design (EQT) to co-create an organizational strategy roadmap centered around racial equity and disability justice. The purpose of this process was to support Access in further developing an inclusive and equitable culture in both practice and design. The focus of this work has been to find ways to center and reflect all traditionally marginalized voices, experiences, and solutions within Access to Independence, as an inherent and integral component of all our programs and services.
The work of implementing the roadmap will carry out our mission through a lens of equity and justice. Further embedding and operationalizing racial equity, disability justice, and intersectionality within all our policies, practices, programs, and systems is the ongoing work of our Equity Design Team, along with all agency staff.
The Design Team is leading various individual and group learning opportunities for all staff, centered on equity and intersectionality. As our current staff travel this path of learning and sharing, we are simultaneously implementing a framework for all future staff to join this ongoing journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Independent Living Center?
Independent living centers (ILCs) are community-based, cross-disability, non-profit agencies that are designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities, and provide independent living services that include: Information and referral; IL skills training; Peer support; Individual and systems advocacy; Institutional transition and diversion, and post-secondary youth transition services. All ILCs are required to provide at least two additional services, in addition to those listed here.
What is the Independent Living Philosophy?
Independent living can be considered a movement, a philosophy, or specific programs. The goal is to “promote a philosophy of independent living through consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.”
How do I Request Services, or Make a Referral?
You may request services over the phone by calling 608-242-8484, through email at info@accesstoind.org, click on the contact tab to fill out our Request Services form online. One of our Independent Living Specialist will respond within two business days.
I Live Outside of Your Service Region, What Now?
Access to Independence serves Columbia, Dane, Dodge, and Green, and counties in Wisconsin. We are part of a state-wide network of Independent Living Centers that cover the entire state. Visit www.il-wis.net to find the center that serves your county.