About Access to IndependenceAccess to Independence, Inc. is a non-profit, consumer controlled Independent Living Center (ILC) that provides resources, services, and advocacy to people of all ages with all types of disabilities in Dane, Columbia, Green, and Dodge counties in south-central Wisconsin.
ILC's are a nationwide network of consumer controlled disability resource centers, where the majority of board and staff are people with disabilities. We help people develop the tools and skills to make informed choice for themselves and work to increase the choices available to people with disabilities. We are a one of the eight IL centers in Wisconsin. All centers share an Independent Living Philosophy and focus on providing specific services that help people with disabilities live as independently as they choose. |
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Mission
Access to Independence: A disability-led organization that champions justice and empowers people with disabilities of all ages and identities.
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.
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
Note: If you are using a screen reader, press "ENTER" on the question to view the answer.
WHat is an independent living center?
Independent living centers (ILCs) are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private non-profit agencies that are designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities, and provide an array of independent living services like:
- Information and referral;
- IL skills training;
- Peer support;
- Individual and systems advocacy; and
- Services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community, provide assistance to those at risk of entering institutions, and facilitate transition of youth to postsecondary life.
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.”
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.”
What services do you provide?
Our services include:
Learn more by visiting our services page
- Information and referral
- IL skills training
- Peer support
- Individual and systems advocacy
- Services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community, provide assistance to those at risk of entering institutions, and facilitate transition of youth to post-secondary life.
- Youth services
- Assistive technology
- Accessibility assessments
Learn more by visiting our services page
What is assistive technology? (at)
Assistive technology (AT) is equipment that helps a person function or perform activities of daily living and live more independently.
Equipment can be big or small, complicated or simple but regardless of size is geared towards the individual's need(s).
Learn more by going to our Assistive Technology page
Equipment can be big or small, complicated or simple but regardless of size is geared towards the individual's need(s).
Learn more by going to our Assistive Technology page
How Do I request services
- You may request services over the phone by calling 608-242-8484
- You may request services through email at [email protected]
- Or click here to fill out our Request Services form online
One of our Independent Living Specialist will respond within two business days.
How do I make a referral?
- You may make a referral over the phone by calling 608-242-8484
- You may make a referral through email at [email protected]
- Or click here to fill out the Request Services form online
One of our Independent Living Specialist will respond within two business days.
What does it mean to be consumer controlled?
The term consumer control means, with respect to a center for independent living, that the center vests power and authority in individuals with disabilities.
It's a method of providing services and supports that allow the individual, or where appropriate, the individual’s representative, maximum control of the community-based services and supports, regardless of who acts as the employer of record.
It's a method of providing services and supports that allow the individual, or where appropriate, the individual’s representative, maximum control of the community-based services and supports, regardless of who acts as the employer of record.
What does it mean to be cross-disability?
Cross disability means, with respect to an independent living center, that a center provides independent living services to individuals representing a range of disabilities and does not require specific significant disabilities before determining that an individual is eligible for independent living services.
What is the wisconsin coalition of independent living centers? (WCILC)
The Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers (WCILC) is the not for profit statewide association of the eight ILCs in Wisconsin.
WCILC:
WCILC Mission
The Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Center’s mission is to promote the interests and the common good of Wisconsin Independent Living Centers through a unified voice.
WCILC:
- Advocates for positive disability policy and systems change
- Provides information on current state and national issues affecting people with disabilities
- Facilitates technical assistance and serves as a resource to the ILCs
- Coordinates an IL Peer Review Process statewide and nationally
- Coordinates meetings with state and national legislators
- Facilitates disability awareness and independent living trainings
WCILC Mission
The Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Center’s mission is to promote the interests and the common good of Wisconsin Independent Living Centers through a unified voice.
What is the independent living council of wisconsin? (ilcw)
The Independent Living Council of Wisconsin is established to develop, monitor and evaluate the state plan for independent living (SPIL) along with performing other statutory duties and authorities as listed in the current Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended in 1992, 2014 and future years, and duties as listed in the SPIL.
Mandated under the Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1992 and 2014, the ILCW has chosen to incorporate as a non-profit organization and its governing board members are appointed by the governor of Wisconsin. In all other respects, the ILCW is an independent, non-profit corporation.
Learn more here
Mandated under the Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1992 and 2014, the ILCW has chosen to incorporate as a non-profit organization and its governing board members are appointed by the governor of Wisconsin. In all other respects, the ILCW is an independent, non-profit corporation.
Learn more here
What are your hours of operation?
Access to Independence is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm
About 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.
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 with ASL Interpreter
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What is an Independent Living Center?
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What is the Independent Living Philosophy
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What services do you provide?
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What is Assistive Technology?
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How do I request services?
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How do I make a referral?
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What does is mean to be consumer controlled?
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What does is mean to be cross-disability?
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What is the Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers? (WCILC)
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What is the Independent Living Council of Wisconsin? (ILCW)
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What are your hours of operation?
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