History of IndependenceFirst

This is a brief history of IndependenceFirst, which prior to 1994, was known as the Southeastern Wisconsin Center for Independent Living (SEWCIL). A complete list of acronyms and abbreviations used in this document is on the last page.

1978In 1978, a group of Milwaukee area rehabilitation professionals and persons with disabilities met to establish an Independent Living Center (ILC). Their efforts led to a grant proposal submitted to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) for competitive funding by the United States Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The proposal was approved and a new agency, the Southeastern Wisconsin Center for Independent Living, Inc. (SEWCIL), was incorporated as a not-for-profit agency in July 1979.

The initial grant was in the amount of $92,728 and designed to create a freestanding consumer-controlled agency. From the beginning, SEWCIL maintained a Board of Directors comprised of a majority of persons with disabilities. In addition, the organization sought to employ staff with disabilities. SEWCIL’s mission was defined as “assisting persons having disabilities to maximize their independence and be full participating citizens in our community.” The required services of the grant were independent living skills training, peer counseling, advocacy, and information and referral services to persons with disabilities in the counties of Washington, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, and Waukesha.

1979-1983Robert Hodge was hired in 1979 as SEWCIL’s first Executive Director. SEWCIL established offices on the fifth floor of Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Hospital. Mr. Hodge remained the Director until 1983, and SEWCIL’s budget grew to $180,000. Staff increased from four to seven.

1983-1985William Hatcher replaced Mr. Hodge as the Executive Director and remained in that position until December 1985. Within those years, SEWCIL became better known in the community. The Agency’s annual budget grew to $322,000 and seven staff grew to eight. The Personal Care Attendant Match-Up Program, Independent Living Skills Project, and St. Paul’s Adult Day Service Program were created. SEWCIL solidified its expertise on housing issues for persons with disabilities by obtaining financial support from the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County Community Development Block Grant programs. SEWCIL created a subsidiary organization, SEWCIL Housing 1, and purchased three duplexes with the intent of actively pursuing the development of affordable, accessible housing to persons with disabilities.

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1986Lee Schulz was hired as the Executive Director. Under his leadership, the organization continued its history of expanding services to persons with disabilities.

1987SEWCIL began its Individualized Development of Employment Aims and Life Skills (IDEALS) program through a federal grant for a three-year pilot project of case management services to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. In addition, a full-time position was added to offer wheelchair sports and recreation options for persons with disabilities. In addition, SEWCIL accepted the responsibility of “lead” agency from Curative Rehabilitation Center for the Independent Living Skills Camp for Children with Spina Bifida, which was then expanded to all disabilities with similar functional challenges.

1988Need for additional office space led to SEWCIL’s move from the protective support of Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Hospital to 6222 West Capitol Drive. About this time, SEWCIL decided to discontinue its housing provider role and sold the duplexes.

1989Ed Roberts, considered the father of the independent living centers, visited our organization and presented his vision of ILC’s to our Board of Directors at a Board meeting held at WE Energies on Capital Drive.

Justin and Toshika Dart visited our Center as part of their national campaign to advocate for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On short notice, we arranged for them to meet with about 30 people only two days before Christmas. A result of their visit was active participation by two of our staff, Arvilla Rank and Michelle Martini, in the campaign for passage of the ADA.

1990SEWCIL developed the Assistive Technology Program (ATP) that was funded by the State of Wisconsin’s WisTech Project, which was part of the National Technology Act funding source. Staff’s role was to assist persons with disabilities with many aspects of technology or adaptive equipment used by persons with disabilities.

In partnership with other Wisconsin ILC’s, SEWCIL became a founding organization of Wisconsin Personal Services Association (WPSA).

In recognition of their advocacy efforts, staff members were invited to the White House to attend the signing of the (ADA).

1991

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The Try-A-Gadget Center (TAG) had grown to $55,000 of low and high technology adaptive equipment. Persons with disabilities could use this equipment on a trial basis to determine whether a product meets their needs before purchasing it.This year we worked collaboratively with the Curative Rehabilitation Center, Threshold, and the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy to bring the Disability Rights Education Defense Fund (DREDF) to Milwaukee for a solid, one-week training on regulations related to the recent passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was attended by 30 participants.

1992SEWCIL’s Medicaid funded Personal Assistance Services Program (PAS) was created in March 1992, to provide a more cost-effective and consumer-directed personal assistance program. Within the first 18 months of operation, PAS services were provided to 64 individuals who otherwise might not have access to appropriate attendant care services. This new program worked cooperatively with our traditional “attendant” match-up program funded by United Way. The two programs complemented each other and allowed for consumer choice options.

1993-1994By the fall of 1993, SEWCIL was scheduling sign language interpreters for all of Wisconsin. SEWCIL’s efforts with the Interpreter Coordination Service, active participation with the formation of the Alliance for Deaf, Deaf/Blind and Hard-of-Hearing, active participation with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (WI-ADARA), and support for interpreter wage increases reinforced its expertise in this area of disability need.

SEWCIL’s 1993-94 projected budget reached $3.2 million. Staff and service growth had rendered the current facilities inadequate. SEWCIL, in partnership with Interfaith Older Adult Programs, searched for new office space. After a thorough search, the decision was made to relocate to 600 West Virginia Street.

From 1993 to 1995, SEWCIL played an instrumental role in collaborative activities and disability-related community surveys. In partnership with the Planning Council for Health and Human Services, SEWCIL completed the Milwaukee County Needs Assessment of Persons with Physical Disabilities and Sensory Impairments. Under contract from the State of Wisconsin’s WisTech Program, SEWCIL conducted a statewide needs assessment concerning assistive technology.

SEWCIL initiated the formation of the Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers (WCILC) and SEWCIL’s Executive Director was elected as its first Chair.

SEWCIL was a founding member and had a prominent role in the ABLE Coalition (Advocating for Better Community Living Environments) and Access ADA Network. The ABLE Coalition actively pursued legislative issues and educated legislators on the service and health care needs of persons with disabilities. Access ADA Network’s major accomplishment was the sponsoring of training on the ADA.

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1995SEWCIL’s name was changed to IndependenceFirst to better reflect the mission of our organization.

IndependenceFirst was one of two ILC’s in the state to receive a Benefits Specialist pilot project, which was funded under a contract with the State Independent Living Council (SILC) and the DVR. Based on the success of the two projects, Benefits Specialist projects expanded to include seven of the eight ILC’s in Wisconsin. In addition, our Benefits Specialist program was nominated by the DVR and selected as an exemplary collaboration between Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Independent Living (IL) for the VR-IL Employment Outcomes Partnership Project, a national competition conducted by the World Institute on Disability (WID).

1996Our Associate Director, Richard Barthel, passed away. He was a great advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities.

IndependenceFirst sponsored an interfaith welcome to a people with disabilities conference entitled, “That All May Worship” presented by Ginny Thornburgh. Over 100 representatives of all religions in the Milwaukee area and a few from Madison attended. The purpose of this training was to assist the religious community to understand how to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

IF began a two-year relationship with the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Technology Transfer at the University of New York at Buffalo. Several focus groups were held to provide consumer feedback on assistive technology devices that were in development.

IF began a three-year collaborative study on a self-determination curriculum developed by the Oregon Health Sciences University. Local partners included Milwaukee Public Schools, which provided the research subjects and the “in-school portion” of the curriculum, and the Parent Education Project, which took the lead on working with the subjects’ families. IndependenceFirst provided peer mentors and an independent living skills curriculum.

1997IndependenceFirst began a new contract with Milwaukee County Adult Services to train supportive home care workers who were independently employed by persons with disabilities receiving Community Options Program (COP) or COP Waiver funding. Over four hundred workers received this training.

IndependenceFirst completed a one-year, state-funded study to evaluate the feasibility of IndependenceFirst or another organization to provide managed health care. The Board of Directors decided against further consideration until start-up funds became available.

The RSA funding for the IDEALS project ended. Milwaukee County and the DVR began funding the program. This project assisted up to 100 persons a year who were deaf or

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deaf/blind to obtain employment. IDEALS program services rolled into a variety of IL counselor staff responsibilities.

Gina McDonald, President of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), was here in May. In August, Judy Hueman, the Deputy Director of the United States Department of Education was here to review our federally funding pilot project, the “Take Charge Program.”

1998IndependenceFirst took over the arts accessibility project that threatened to vanish when Art Reach of Milwaukee closed its doors. Since then, IndependenceFirst has worked with the performing arts companies to schedule interpreters. In addition, the project has worked with theaters, museums, and libraries to increase access.We had two national leaders of the disability rights movement visit our Center and make presentations to our staff. IndependenceFirst hosted the Region V Independent Living Conference at the Red Carpet Hotel near the Airport. This event drew 235 attendees from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

1999IndependenceFirst received a grant from the Cudahy Foundation to establish an internship program designed to assist persons with disabilities to obtain employment by developing work histories and obtaining new skills.

IndependenceFirst began a project to gather and distribute information concerning violence against women with disabilities. This included providing women’s shelters with information and resources concerning disabilities and accessibility. This program won a national competition by IL NET on model advocacy programs. IL NET is a collaborative project of the Independent Living Research Utilization of Houston, TX, the National Council on Independent Living in Arlington, VA, and the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) in North Little Rock, AK.

2000IndependenceFirst established a Resource Center, which includes a comprehensive library, computer, and Internet resources, as well as expanded technology resources. Outreach offices were also established in Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties to increase services to consumers in these areas.

In January, we officially shut down our statewide Interpreter Scheduling program, because after six years of operation, we were losing money and it became more difficult to meet consumer expectations.

IndependenceFirst subcontracted with the Milwaukee Center for Independence to provide benefits counseling in the Pathways to Independence pilot program funded by Wisconsin’s DVR and Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS). The goal of Pathways is to assist persons with disabilities to obtain employment.

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The Federal Health Care Financing Administration awarded $500,000 to the Wisconsin DHFS to coordinate the Homecoming Project, a nursing home transition project assisting residents who want to move out of nursing homes. Funds were available to cover initial relocation costs such as home modifications, adaptive equipment, telephone services, and security deposits. Each of the eight ILC’s in Wisconsin received $10,000 to provide transition assistance.

IndependenceFirst responded to the national challenge issued by the National Organization on Disability (NOD) to actively work to increase the number of persons with disabilities who are eligible to vote. A limited-term employee was hired part-time to conduct voter registration and education activities.

IndependenceFirst collaborated with EBTIDE, Inc. to begin a homeownership program for persons with disabilities.

The photo art exhibit, “Ten Years and Counting” was completed. This is an exhibit of 25 photographs, by Al Balinsky, Dean of Fine Arts, and oral histories, by Kristin Kurzawa, Instructor, both from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). Persons with disabilities were featured in the workplace, through these two mediums. The exhibit has been shown at MIAD, General Mitchell International Airport, Northwestern Mutual, the Wisconsin State Capitol building, as well as throughout Southeastern Wisconsin, Rockford, Illinois, California, and Washington, D.C.

We were approached by Bill Brown of Marquette Medical for assistance in starting an Adaptive Downhill Ski Program. This first year, the program utilized our insurance company and then in 2001 they incorporated as the Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Ski Program (SEWASP) and obtained insurance through Disabled Sports USA. Kathy Mohar has continued to staff the scheduling, volunteer coordination, and advertising portion of the program.

2001IndependenceFirst was awarded a five-year grant by the Social Security Administration to provide benefits counseling to Social Security recipients.

A contribution from a former Board member and donor established the Eugene Hayman IndependenceFirst fund of $250,000, at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

Via a contract with Wisconsin’s DHFS, IndependenceFirst began WisLoan, a statewide program to provide loans for assistive technology to persons with disabilities who likely would not qualify for conventional bank loans. Funded by the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research (NIDRR), IndependenceFirst, and M&I Bank with support from DHFS, $750,000 received from NIDRR and a $250,000 match from IndependenceFirst was used to establish the loan fund. A statewide advisory board was created, which subcontracts with Wisconsin’s seven other ILC’s.

IndependenceFirst provided $10,000 to the Center for Independent Living, New York (CIDNY) in the wake of September 11, to meet the needs of their consumers. In addition, Leslie Meyers spent three weeks at the center providing support to an exhausted staff.

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2002This year’s Power Lunch promoted disability awareness with keynote speaker and nationally renowned reporter and author, John Hockenberry. The event drew over 500 attendees.

A statewide nursing home transition collaborative effort of all eight Independent Living Centers in Wisconsin, along with the local and state resources began. This project is funded through a three-year grant from the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. IndependenceFirst receives $14,500 per year to provide transition services for any person with a disability who has resided in a nursing home facility or other institutional setting for more than 90 days. Unlike the grant from 1999, this project does not provide individuals with initial relocation costs.

IndependenceFirst was chosen to develop and implement a statewide program established under contract from the DHFS Bureau of Alcohol and Substance Abuse to increase access to culturally sensitive, accessible, and language appropriate Alcohol and Drug Abuse (AODA) services by persons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or deaf/blind and to reduce communication, language, and cultural barriers to treatment.IndependenceFirst was selected to be a partner agency with Marquette University’s Trinity Fellowship program dedicated to developing urban leaders with a commitment to social justice. Trinity Fellows work in Milwaukee area non-profit agencies for twenty-one months while obtaining a Master’s degree from Marquette.

IndependenceFirst received the Governor’s Diamond Award, recognizing its efforts to break the “glass ceiling” through promotion and employment for women and all other minorities.

Beginning this year, Board members and Agency staff began evaluating ideas for business efforts that might benefit IndependenceFirst.

Funding in the amount of $17,000 was secured from the DVR through two separate grants for the TAG program. Ergonomic office furniture was purchased with the funding, as well as a variety of other vocational equipment.

2003The Milwaukee Idea Home concept was created in 2002 and construction began in January 2003. This home is a collaborative effort with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) whose idea was to build an accessible, affordable energy-efficient home. The goal was for it to be a model for accessibility features, as well as a transition home for persons with disabilities moving out of nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities. Atlas Development donated a parcel of land for the house.

The Power Lunch, which drew over 900 attendees, promoted employment of persons with disabilities. Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin was the keynote speaker.

The WisLoan program was awarded a $2,287,766 Federal grant. IndependenceFirst contributed $762,588. In addition, a new loan program for Wisconsin residents with disabilities to purchase business equipment related to self employment, home based work, and teleworking was created. This Telework program received over $862,074 in

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funding from RSA and was additionally financed by IndependenceFirst with an additional $95,786. This additional funding helped in creating a WisLoan and Telework leveraged fund of approximately $20 million.

In September, IndependenceFirst assumed operational control of the Wheelchair Recycling Project (WRP) and provided $20,000 of support. Plans were made to expand the program statewide to provide a location for individuals to dispose of unneeded adaptive equipment and to be a resource for people who need low-cost used adaptive equipment.

2004IndependenceFirst celebrated its 25th anniversary.

The Power Lunch featured keynote speaker and former Happy Days star, Henry Winkler. He shared his life story of defying expectations that someone with a learning disability may not be successful. The event drew over 800 attendees.

A part-time Grant Writer and a Fund Development Manager were added to IndependenceFirst staff to further expand development efforts in these areas.The Milwaukee Idea Home was completed. Architects, educators, green design professionals, and other innovators toured the home to gain knowledge and inspiration.

A new website was launched containing over 6,000 local, state, and national resources.

Numerous organizations recognized IndependenceFirst and individual employees for their success this year. The Business Journal awarded IndependenceFirst its second Beyond the Paycheck award for employee benefits and diversity employment practices. The Agency also received national recognition with the Silver Telly and Platinum Aurora awards, for its business-targeted video, extolling the power of persons with disabilities as an untapped workforce, market-force, and group contributing to the diversity of the community. The Mental Health Association of Milwaukee County honored Karen Avery, IndependenceFirst Associate Director, as Consumer Advocate of the Year. Midge Pinchar, who works in the Nursing Home Transition Program, was awarded the prestigious National Council on Independent Living Region V Advocacy Award for her outstanding work in transitioning people with disabilities from institutional living into community-based living.

IndependenceFirst made another major commitment to support WRP and established a Milwaukee office for the project.

2005The Agency’s growth was evident as 900 individuals used the PAS program, including over 90 new referrals.

IndependenceFirst expanded to the sixth floor of the Atlas Building, totaling three full floors of office space. Record numbers of individuals requested services in programs such as Benefits Counseling and Employment, Women with Disabilities and Abuse Victims, and Homeownership. During this time, through assistance with the Milwaukee County Task Force, IndependenceFirst also provided services to Hurricane Katrina

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victims who were air lifted to Wisconsin. Other successes of the year included expanded use of the WisLoan program and outreach services to outlying counties and minority communities.

IndependenceFirst’s Housing Program Coordinator developed and facilitated a local coalition of affordable housing advocates. This group promoted the development of a housing trust fund, addressed predatory lending concerns, assisted with the city of Milwaukee’s “impediments to fair housing analysis,” and testified and submitted comments on the city’s consolidated plan regarding the housing needs of its residents.The Accounting Department began providing services to other non-profit agencies on a fee-for-service basis, adding a new revenue stream to IndependenceFirst.

The Power Lunch highlighted the influence of people with disabilities in the workplace, marketplace, and throughout the community. The featured speaker was Oscar winning actress, Patty Duke, a spokesperson for people with mental illness. Ms. Duke spoke about her bouts with manic-depression and the success strategies she has learned and used.

In collaboration with the Wisconsin-based Family Assistance Center for Education Training and Support (FACETS), IndependenceFirst conducted a week-long Youth Leadership Forum for 25 high-school age youth with disabilities.

IndependenceFirst won the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation award (MANDI) for its collaborative work with Milwaukee’s Housing Authority on their Highland Gardens project. The Agency was also recognized by the Metro Parents Magazine for being a “family friendly” employer.

IndependenceFirst was selected by the Microsoft Corporation to serve as one of 26 Microsoft Accessibility Resource Centers (MARC) in the nation. The goal of MARC was to demonstrate accessible technology solutions possible on today’s computers. Computer technology was also added in the Agency to allow video relay service capabilities for its staff who are deaf.

IndependenceFirst partnered with Visit Milwaukee, the area’s convention bureau, to provide disability awareness and access training to the hospitality industry. The training was conducted in anticipation of the TASH-Disability Advocacy Worldwide convention hosted in Milwaukee in November 2005. TASH is an organization concerned with human dignity, civil rights, education, and independence for all individuals with disabilities.

Time Warner Digital Cable’s Wisconsin on Demand, Channel 1111 under its Community Organizations category, hosted the following three IndependenceFirst videos: Freedom to Be Independent, Power of People with Disabilities (received a national award), and Power of Youth with Disabilities.

The Disability Assault Response Team (DART) was formed through the hard work and initiative of IndependenceFirst staff member Leslie Myers. The purpose of the team is to work collaboratively with other agencies in the area, offering wrap-around services for victims with disabilities who have been abused.

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IndependenceFirst, as part of a collaborative county initiative, provided services and technical assistance to Katrina victims with disabilities, who were airlifted to Wisconsin, to Milwaukee’s State Fair grounds. Via the Wheelchair Recycling Program (WRP), 12 wheelchairs were loaned to the Tommy Thompson Center to assist the evacuees. IndependenceFirst donated $5,000 to NCIL to be used to assist the CIL’s in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

2006IndependenceFirst created the position of Youth Leadership Specialist whose goal is to target resources and services to young adults with disabilities. The Youth Leadership Specialist presented life skills classes to high-school students with disabilities, coordinated participation of local youth for Disability Mentoring Day, and organized the weeklong Youth Leadership Forum.

The Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocacy and Education Project for people with disabilities attracted national attention and acclaim. IndependenceFirst staff conducted trainings as far away as Alaska and Washington, D.C. to assist other organizations in establishing services. DART was honored with an Exemplary Program Award from IL Net and Independent Living Research Utilization Project-Research and Training Center for Independent Living (ILRU). Agency domestic violence specialist, Leslie Myers, received the 2006 Justice Award from the Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse.

The annual Power Lunch featured guest speaker Robert David Hall, who portrays Dr. Al Robbins on the number-one rated primetime TV drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Mr. Hall, a double-leg amputee, discussed the many different challenges he has faced while working in the acting community.

The WisLoan program continues to grow after being awarded a federal grant of $750,000. IndependenceFirst also contributed $250,000 to the program.

2007The Power Lunch featured Tony award winner Ben Vereen. He shared how his near-fatal accident and stroke led to his philosophy of spirituality and wellness. Mr. Vereen explained how disability could affect anyone.

IndependenceFirst published, A Celebration of Caregiving: Portraits and Stories. The book contains photos with stories that profile the importance of care giving and the relationships that develop between those who give and receive care.

IndependenceFirst won a three-year $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women’s (OVW) Program for Education, Training and Enhanced Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women with Disabilities. This collaborative grant was used to replicate statewide the DART protocol.

The ADA Consumer Advocacy team created two public service announcements (PSA’s) for television, which highlighted the importance of respecting parking laws when it comes to accessible parking placards and spaces. The PSA’s were written by and

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starred members of the ADA team and their families. This project was funded through a generous grant from Disability Advocates Wisconsin Network (DAWN).

IndependenceFirst also premiered the short film, Working, Ten Years & Counting, which was created from the 2002 exhibit of photos and oral histories by Al Balinsky and Kristin Kurzawa. The film featured adults with disabilities and their importance in the workplace.WRP became an independent, autonomous organization that could begin to establish its own identity and resources.

The Assistive Technology Program has a current inventory of $63,000 in assistive technology equipment. Staff in this program were contracted to develop assistive technology kits for the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) throughout Wisconsin and to train ADRC staff. A collaborative effort with the Milwaukee County Department on Aging resulted in the publication of a resource manual and awareness brochure, as well as seven assistive technology trainings for local service providers.

Growth continued in a number of other IndependenceFirst departments. PAS served over 1,000 people with disabilities. The Accounting Department did the books for nine other non-profit organizations. Information and Technology (IT) services were used as a resource for other ILC’s throughout the State and consulting services were provided for five other non-profit organizations. IT staff began serving on UWM’s Advisory Strategy Board for the ENTECH Project, which helps non-profit agencies in the area with their technology.

IndependenceFirst established IM Design Consortium as a social enterprise initiative that will bring new fitness and mobility equipment to the public.

As IndependenceFirst programs continue to grow, a search for new main office facilities was initiated. Several locations have been investigated by a planning and search committee. A search will continue until a location is selected that fulfills the criteria designated to meet the needs of Agency consumers and staff.

20082008 may be described as the “year of the move”. In April, after a three-year search the Board of Directors approved IndependenceFirst’s relocation from 6th Street and Virginia Avenue to 540 South 1st Street.

The conversion of an old bakery warehouse to our new facility included a front entry, skylights, all new carpeting, lighting, painting, etc. Scott Luber, Diana Sullivan, several other staff, a contracted design firm, and architects insured that our new home was a model of accessibility and efficiency. Board member Barbara Corriveau headed up the Facility Search Committee for many years and this move, which took place in October, would likely not have happened without her leadership.

Volunteerism was very important for our many diverse projects that included: computer recycling, assistance with moving our offices, and special events. Our Volunteer Coordinator, Char Zarnoth was selected by the Non-Profit Center as Volunteer Coordinator of the Year.

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Our Personal Assistance Program (PAS) continued to expand and served over 1,050 individuals with disabilities.

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20092009 should be known as the year we settled into our new building on 1st Street. During the year, a new roof was put on the building and we completed decorating the interior with pictures and artwork.

IndependenceFirst volunteer, Fred Knueppel was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers to be their “Hometown Hero.” This was a great public relations event that gave IndependenceFirst terrific exposure and fit with our advertising campaign of “Who’s on 1st.”

U.S. Representative Gwen Moore led an effort to obtain $100,000 Earmark funds to support our Central City Project that began with funding from the Helen Bader Foundation.

Our PAS Program’s growth continued and we served over 1,200 individuals with disabilities. We employed over 1,400 Personal Care Workers (PCWs) to provide those services.

We obtained continuation funding from the United State’s Office for Violence Against Women to continue our innovative Women and Abuse project.

In mid-to-late 2009, the Board of Directors and staff entered into a full-blown three-year strategic planning effort. The final plan will be completed and acted on in 2010.

Staff’s advocacy efforts focused on items such as, but not limited to: the Milwaukee River Walk legislative changes to parking regulations independent living center funding the Federal healthcare debate local and regional transportation issues conversion of long term care to Family Care accessible housing

IndependenceFirst was awarded a Silver Well Workplace Award for its Employee Wellness Program. As a charter member of the Well City Milwaukee Initiative, which began in 2007, we were one of 37 companies participating in that movement, the goal of which was to develop award winning wellness programs in our Milwaukee businesses and participate in the community effort to designate Milwaukee as a Well City, as defined by the Wellness Council of America.

20102010 can be described as the year the Board of Directors immersed itself in quality improvement and actively worked to build a structure for IndependenceFirst’s continued success. The Board established an active role on the organization’s Advocacy Committee. The Finance Committee worked to evaluate and rewrite our organization’s Investment Policies. The Board Treasurer worked closely with staff to develop clear and accurate fiscal reports and the annual budget.

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We established an Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate the need to expand our outreach to military veterans. This committee aided us in connecting with Dry Hootch and led to our purchase and installation of a flagpole and American flag.We completed a five-year federally funded project, targeting services and resources to women with disabilities who were victims of violence. During the course of the project, we trained hundreds of service providers and professionals and enhanced the accessibility of several organizations. Leslie Myers, the lead staff on this project, was recruited and hired by the Washington D.C. Institute of Justice Center on Victimization and Safety, to develop similar programs in the United States.

Milwaukee County Adult Services began the transfer of persons with disabilities to a new system of managed care, now titled “Family Care.” This system will be phased in over the next couple of years. As part of Family Care, IndependenceFirst successfully competed to provide six Benefit Counselors to the Disability Resource Center.

IndependenceFirst’s Personal Assistance Services (PAS) program grew to serve 1,287 individuals and employed over 1,600 personal care workers (PCW). The PAS program has been a huge resource for us in keeping individuals with disabilities from needing to stay in or go to institutional facilities.

This past summer, we were very involved in the local community’s 20th Anniversary ADA celebrations. In April, the Agency hosted U.S. Deputy Attorney General Thomas E. Perez, who discussed the Administration’s priority to defend civil and disability rights legislation. In July, we hosted a presentation by the newly appointed U. S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, James L. Santelle.The Agency also hosted several candidate forums for the fall local, state, and national elections.

Max and Colleen Starkloff visited our Center and gave a presentation to staff on the history of the independent living movement. The Starkloff’s founded Paraquad in St. Louis Missouri (one of the first four CIL’s in the U.S.) In addition, they were co-founders of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). More recently, they have taken a leading role in educating architects, builders, and municipalities on accessible design and building. Unfortunately, Max passed away about two months after his Milwaukee visit.

IndependenceFirst hosted the inaugural Stride and Glide for IndependenceFirst at the Pettit National Ice Center. This family-friendly fundraising event promotes physical activity and full inclusion, offering a choice of activities for participants with and without disabilities. Over 70 people participated, raising pledges to support IndependenceFirst and setting personal fitness goals for the day.

2011IndependenceFirst held a series of candidate forums prior to the 2011 elections and had over 100 participants at each.

Our contracted Disability Benefits Counselor contract with Milwaukee County Disability Resource Center ended on June 30, 2011.

The Power Lunch was transformed into a Power Dinner that included our first “silent” auction in many years. Edward Kennedy, Jr. our keynote speaker, who was recruited by

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Cheryl Sensenbrenner, wife of Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, lost a leg to bone cancer as a young boy and spoke about his experience and his advocacy efforts for persons with disabilities. Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Sensenbrenner are both board members of the Association of Americans with Physical Disabilities (AAPD).

IndependenceFirst’s WisLoan program began in 2001. In over three competitive grant cycles, we put up $1,262,588 of matches and received $3,787,766 from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) via the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). Currently, we have made 903 loans, for a total of $6,809,402 and over $3 million repaid with 124 defaults, at a loss of $420,693. WisLoan is a statewide program in which we subcontract with the State’s other eight independent living centers.

IndependenceFirst continues to grow its Wellness Program. In addition to our existing programs, we have expanded our Health Coaching Program. Health coaching allows employees to meet one-on-one with our Wellness RN to make changes in individual behaviors to improve health.

IndependenceFirst held the second annual Stride & Glide for IndependenceFirst at the Pettit National Ice Center. Attendance doubled from the first year of the event and the number of sponsors increased as more people learned of this great opportunity to get active with friends and family while supporting IndependenceFirst. Participants appreciate the choice of activities and the chance to get moving in a fun, inclusive environment.

2012In January after considerable negotiation and discussion, IndependenceFirst agreed to staff and collaborate with the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA). Also, in collaboration with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Business Advisory Group, we staffed Abilities Connection, an IT job mentoring placement program.

Gerry Jewel, a comedian and woman with Cerebral Palsy, was our Power Dinner speaker. Ms. Jewel gave a humorous but heartfelt presentation on her experience as a person with a disability.

2012 marks the year we budgeted and purchased an agency automobile to restrain reimbursed mileage costs.

Governor Scott Walker signed four pieces of disability-related legislation into law in the presence of 100 individuals at IndependenceFirst.

Purchased our office building located at 540 South 1st Street.

Merged the Wheelchair Recycling Program with IndependenceFirst and renamed it IndependenceFirst Mobility Store.

Social Security discontinued funding for our Work Incentives Planning Assistance (WIPA) program.

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In December, the Milwaukee County’s Disability Resource Center (DRC) celebrated with 120 individuals, the end of a service waiting list.

Completed a review of the Agency’s technology resource and how they may be improved.

Discontinued “satellite” offices in the Central City and Waukesha.

In 2012 and continuing into 2013, PAS and University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee’s School of Nursing collaborated on providing a community setting for their nursing students. This program has been working well and PAS is looking at expanding this program to other schools. Student nurses are increasingly looking at employment opportunities other than the traditional hospital setting. PAS has been successful with employment of relatively new nurses who have an expressed interest in community nursing and working with person’s with disabilities. PAS hopes this program will help with recruitment and retention of Nurses, and education of nursing staff re: independent living philosophy and full inclusion for persons with disabilities.  

2013The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) conducted a Peer Review audit of IndependenceFirst. This was the first on-site audit by the RSA since they provided the initial grant of $121,000 in 1979 to create an independent living center. The reviewers were very complimentary of our growth and wide range of services.

After a great deal of evaluation, the Board and staff compiled the New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) process and financing for the purchase of our current building. The loan period is for seven years, at which time we plan to have the majority of it paid for by our savings and fund raising. Obtaining the NMTC required the formation of an IndependenceFirst Foundation, which will be used to transfer IndependenceFirst reserves.

Karen Avery resigned her position of Vice President of Independent Living Services. This led to the creation of the Chief Operating Officer position and retention of Spano/Pratt Executive Search. Interviewing of candidates began in December.

In the last quarter of the year, IndependenceFirst closed our collaboration and staffing with the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) and Ability Connection. Our decision concerning the NSCIA was a result of our staff, to the project, obtaining a job elsewhere and the NSCIA Board’s reluctance to accept any of our recommendations. Also, their fundraising 5K Run hit an all-time low in attendance and funds raised.

The decision on the Ability Connection was a joint decision by the Ability Connection Board, DVR, and IndependenceFirst because there had only been one job placement in the past year. IndependenceFirst staff agreed to continue serving all current Ability Connection participants.

IndependenceFirst employed outside consultants to evaluate and assist in improving our entire IT infrastructure and staffing needs. The completion date will be in 2014.

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The Mobility Store relocated to 124th Street in Wauwatosa and was restructured to centralize operations. Grand openings, as IndependenceFirst Mobility Stores, were held at the Madison and Wauwatosa stores. The Mobility Store’s relationship with Badger State Industries grew as they offered to expand operations. The Mobility Store was nominated for the PNC MANDI Award, to be determined in 2014.

Kathy Meisner-Altman received the Advocate of the Year for her work in Benefits and Employment

Independent Living Services IndependenceFirst received a recognition award for our participation in their

Service Learning Program from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) related to their award from the US Department of Education and Corporation for National and Community Service.

IndependenceFirst along with these Milwaukee-based nonprofits: Walnut-Way, the Adult Learning Center, United Community Center, Interfaith Older Adult Programs, Vision Forward, The Guest House, The Eisenhower Center, and Journey House partnered to host the 12 executive directors from the Czech nonprofit Diakonie.  Staff was a host family.  The group spent the day at our agency, touring, meeting with staff and observing events at IndependenceFirst.

IndependenceFirst provides office space for the Hunger Task Force.  Staff assists consumers with FoodShare applications, renewals, changes and verification submission, greatly reducing time consumers spend awaiting this benefit.

Alie Kriofske was awarded one of the 40 under 40 awards by the Milwaukee Business Journal for her outstanding work with Disability Youth Leadership.

Leah Simmons, ILS Lead Coordinator, was our representative to Argentina as part of the Mobility International USA (MIUSA) Global Exchange and Summit. Leah was in Argentina for ten days and then two representatives from that country visited IndependenceFirst. Team Argentina worked on a small grant application and they recently got it approved for approximately $7,000. These funds will help them do outreach and training for people with disabilities in the LaPlata area to be more empowered and become role models for their country. Association Azul (Pilar’s) goal is to become an official ILC and is now following IndependenceFirst’s model. Hospital Jose’ Ramose Mejia (Natalia’s), with Azul’s support, is working on educating the women who live in a group home to become independent. Association Azul has also started working with the Association of Sordos La Plata (a deaf organization) for more advocacy power collaboration. Leah is currently working with all of them via Skype every two weeks to give them more ideas, tips, educational tools, and resources. This is a perfect opportunity for IndependenceFirst to do world outreach. Other ILC’s look up to our agency, but for Argentina to look up to us, is phenomenal.

In July, 20 National representatives of ADAPT met at IndependenceFirst for their summer strategy session. This was the first time that their National leaders met in Wisconsin.

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During our 16 years support to the Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Ski Program (SEWASP), persons with disabilities have received 1,371 downhill adaptive ski lessons. Kathy Mohar assists with scheduling the skiers and volunteer instructors. In addition, over these 16 years, we have received grants of approximately $8,000 to purchase three adaptive sit skis and a trailer to store and transfer the adaptive ski equipment.

Benefits and EmploymentLEAD ProjectIn 2013, IndependenceFirst was selected to participate in a demonstration project through the National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center). The goal of the project was to assist disability organizations to better understand the local American Job Center (AJC) services they can access, as well as assist the local AJC to gain greater awareness about effectively serving people with disabilities.

The LEAD Center, in collaboration with the National Disability Institute (NDI) and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), chose five Independent Living Centers (ILCs) located across the country to provide support to individuals with disabilities in their communities. The ILCs were selected based upon their staff expertise in assisting job seekers with disabilities, and the ability to provide disability awareness training and information on accommodations to workforce professionals and employers.

In addition to working with job seekers, the ILC project staff was responsible for developing a training manual, “Effective Communication Guide,” to educate community partners regarding accessibility requirements, accommodations, universal design, disability etiquette, and community resources needed by job seekers with disabilities.

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Power Lunch Speakers1995Bob Wieland-Green Bay Packer physical trainer, who is a double amputee.

1996David Zach-FuturistGina McDonald-President of NCIL who is hard of hearing.

1997Jean Driscoll-Wheelchair athlete born with Spina Bifida.

1999Mark Chmura-Green Bay Packer football player.

2002John Hockenberry-American journalist and author, with a spinal cord injury.

2003Marlee Matlin-American actress. Deaf since 18 months of age.

2004Henry Winkler-American actor, producer, author, who is dyslexic.

2005Patty Duke-American actress with Bi-polar Disorder

2006Robert David Hall-American actor and musician who is a double amputee (legs).

2007Ben Vereen-American actor, dancer, singer who has Type 2 Diabetes and had a stroke.

2008Jim Abbott-Major league baseball pitcher born without right hand.

2009Amy Roloff-Reality television star who is of small stature.

2010Lou Ferrigno-American actor, bodybuilder who has hearing loss.

2011Ted Kennedy-Amputee (leg).

2012Gerry Jewel-Cerebral Palsy

2013Josh George-Paralympian

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT

ABLE Advocating for Better Community Living EnvironmentsACA Affordable Care Act (Obama Care)ADA Americans with Disabilities ActADRC Aging and Disability Resource CentersAODA Alcohol or Drug AbuseAJC American Job CenterAPRIL Association of Programs for Rural Independent LivingARC Aging Resource CenterATP Assistive Technology ProgramCIDNY Center for Independent Living New YorkCIL Center for Independent Living (AKA ILC)CMS Center for Medicare/Medicaid ServicesCOP Community Options ProgramDART Disability Assault Response TeamDAWN Disability Advocates Wisconsin NetworkDHFS Department of Health and Family ServicesDRC Disability Resource CenterDRW Disability Rights WisconsinDVR Division of Vocational RehabilitationEBTIDE, Inc. Wisconsin program to assist persons with disabilities and their families in

purchasing a home.ENTECH A project of the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management at UWM.FACETS Family Assistance Center for Education, Training, and SupportHMO Health Maintenance OrganizationIDEALS Individualized Development of Employment Aims and Life SkillsIF-MS IndependenceFirst Mobility StoreIL Independent LivingIL NET Collaboration between: APRIL, ILRU, NCILIRIS I-Respect-I-Self-DirectILC Independent Living Center (AKA CIL)ILRU Independent Living Research Utilization Project-Research and Training

Center for Independent LivingIT Information and Technology ServicesLEAD Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People

with DisabilitiesLTC Long Term CareMANDI Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development InnovationMARC Microsoft Accessibility Resource CentersMCO Managed Care OrganizationMIAD Milwaukee Institute of Art and DesignNCIL National Council for Independent LivingNIDRR National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and ResearchNMTC New Market Tax CreditNOD National Organization on DisabilityNSCIA National Spinal Cord Injury AssociationOVW U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women

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PAS Personal Assistance ServicesPSA Public Service AnnouncementsRSA Rehabilitation Services AdministrationSEWASP Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Ski ProgramSEWCIL Southeastern Wisconsin Center for Independent LivingSILC State Independent Living CouncilSSA Social Security AdministrationSSI Social Security IncomeSSDI Social Security Disability IncomeTAG Try-A-GadgetTASH International organization concerned with human dignity, civil rights,

education, and independence for all individuals with disabilities.UWM University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeVR Vocational RehabilitationVR-IL Vocational Rehabilitation-Independent LivingWCILC Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living CentersWID World Institute on DisabilityWI-ADARA Wisconsin Chapter-American Deafness and Rehabilitation AssociationWIPA Work Incentives Planning AssistanceWPSA Wisconsin Personal Services Alternatives or AssociationWRP Wheelchair Recycling Program

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