Independence First

Have you ever felt left behind because of your disability? You’re not alone. And you shouldn’t have to be. Tell us about a time accessibility made a difference… or when it was missing.

For more than 50 years, Milwaukee peace activist Cookie Anderson has folded origami paper cranes by hand as symbols of peace and hope. During a recent visit to Independence First, she donated her 120th set of 1,000 cranes representing 120,000 cranes folded over her lifetime.

Video Description: Independence First Assistive Technology Specialist Tim Kiley stands in his workshop beside a complex power wheelchair while discussing the cost of advanced mobility equipment.

The AIM program is partially supported by WisTech, Wisconsin’s State Assistive Technology Program from @DHSWI

“How can a wheelchair cost $110,000?” Tim Kiley from Independence First’s Alternatives in Mobility (AIM) program explains the staggering costs behind complex power wheelchairs, and how refurbished equipment can help people regain independence at a fraction of the price.

A special night at the @mkefilm Film Festival 🎬 We had the chance to meet Amber Galloway, the subject of The Way We Move, ahead of the final screening at the Oriental Theatre. Grateful for the conversations, connections, and continued push for accessibility.

Big step for accessibility in Milwaukee ✈️💙 At Milwaukee @MitchellAirport Airport, travelers can now use @airaio ASL for free to connect instantly with a live ASL interpreter.

Meet Janelle, an intern here at Independence First, sharing what independent living really means.

🎬 We had a great time at the @mkefilm Milwaukee Film Festival! We attended The Way We Move, a powerful film about music, Deaf culture, and finding your purpose. Catch it again: 📅 Apr 21 • 2 PM 📅 Apr 30 • 4:45 PM 📍 Oriental Theatre #MKEFilm #DeafCulture #Accessibility

Video description: Janelle Joiner, an intern at Independence First who is blind walks through an office hallway using her cane. As she moves through the space, she explains the importance of accessibility.

Accessibility isn’t extra, it’s essential. Today, Janelle shares why accessibility looks different for everyone but it matters to all of us. #AccessibilityMatters

🎥 Video Description: Tim Kiley demonstrates a refurbished Group 1 power wheelchair inside the Independence First office, driving it through an open workspace while explaining how donated equipment is repaired and reused.

Do you have medical equipment you’re no longer using? It could make a meaningful difference for someone in our community.

Find more affordable durable medical equipment and complex mobility equipment on our eBay store here: ebay.com/usr/indefirst5…

A $60K power wheelchair refurbished and given a second life. Through our AIM program, this Quantum Stretto Edge 3 was restored and shipped to Grace in Georgia for about $3,500. That’s the power of reuse and how we fund free equipment for our community.

Video Description: Andrew stands outside the Wisconsin State Capitol and introduces the statue on top of the dome. Cutaway shots show the statue as the narration explains it is modeled after Audrey Munson, a once-famous artists’ model who was later institutionalized for decades.

The woman on top of the Wisconsin State Capitol was real. Her name was Audrey Munson—once one of the most famous women in America. Her story is powerful, tragic, and a reminder of why community living matters. 🎥♿

Video description: A group of blind and visually impaired participants practice archery indoors using an assistive device. The video includes narration explaining the program and clips of Janelle, a participant, sharing her experience and enjoying her first time shooting.

Archery—without sight. 🏹 Our weekly blind archery group at Independence First uses assistive tech + teamwork to hit the target and train for the Highland Games.

Read the guide: independencefirst.org/IndependenceFi… #DisabilityRights #VoteWisconsin

🗳️ The Wisconsin Spring Election is April 7, 2026. Independence First created a simple guide for voters with disabilities explaining what’s on the ballot and how to vote, including how to check your registration and find your polling place.