What is Access to Independence?

We work with people who have disabilities in a four-county area in southern Wisconsin that includes Columbia, Dodge, Dane, and Green counties. If you live outside our service area, contact us and we can direct you to the Independent Living Center nearest you.)

We are a private, nonprofit Independent Living Center (ILC). Like the other ILCs across the country, we are a community-based, non-profit organization promoting independence and self-determination for people with all types of disabilities. ILCs are consumer-controlled, with a majority of Board and Staff made up of people with disabilities. All ILCs provide core services (the first four) and other non-residential services. The services we provide include:

• Information, Assistance and Referral
• Peer Support
• Independent Living Skills Training
• Advocacy
• Housing Location and Advocacy
• Community Transition
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services
• Access Kids
• Chore, Reading and Other Volunteer Assistance
• Disability Awareness and Evaluation
• Assistive Technology Information, Demonstration and Device Loans
• WisLoan/Telework Loan Programs

What is independent living?

The independent living philosophy is based on the idea that everyone has the right - no matter what disability they have - to:

• make their own choices
• manage their own affairs
• live as independently as they choose in the community.

Many people with disabilities need help with different activities of daily living. "Independent living" doesn't mean they do it all alone.

Access helps people to develop the tools and skills to make informed choices, while also working to increase the choices available to people with disabilities in the communities where they live, work, and play.

Our Mission

The mission of Access to Independence is to join with people with disabilities to create access to the community through education, action, and choice.