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Independent Living Services
An Independent Living Center works with families and individuals of any age with disabilities of any type. Society's Assets is one of eight Independent Living Centers in Wisconsin. Centers offer five core services, and often others as well. The five core services are Independent Living Skills Training, Individual and Systems Advocacy, Information and Referral, Peer Support, and Transition. Our goal is to offer a variety of services that can meet an individual's needs.
Revital Eyes
Meets each month in person or by calling in. Participants gain insight into living with a visual impairment. Resources are provided and a feeling of empowerment is a goal. A Kenosha-based group meets on the second Thursday of every month from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Tami Frentzel is the group contact. Call (262) 925-6097 or email tfrentzel@societysassets.org.
ADA Education and Assessment
Responding to the community's needs, we offer training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Staff also perform compliance assessments and provide technical assistance regarding this and other disability rights laws.
Loan Library for Assistive Technology
A variety of devices can increase function for people with limited mobility, hearing, or vision. Adapted equipment includes telephones, memory aids, talking products, magnifiers, and mobility aids. We have over 1,000 items available for demonstration and loan from the Try-Out Program. This program is partially supported by WisTech, Wisconsin's State Assistive Technology Program. Staff provide assistance with identifying the most effective technology and locating options to pay for it.
Disability Awareness Programs
Staff and volunteers are available to speak to organizations, groups, and schools about understanding and interacting with people with disabilities.
Housing and Home Modifications
We assist people with locating accessible, affordable housing. Information about home modifications, low-interest loans for accessibility projects, and the concept of "aging in place" are available. Transition services help individuals move from a nursing home to their own home.
Independent Living Skills Training
After assessing an individual's needs, staff teaches money management, pre-vocational skills, utilizing transportation and other community resources, housekeeping, communication, self-advocacy, and socialization.
Individual and Systems Advocacy
We help people with disabilities learn to advocate for themselves. The support engages in activities designed to affect positive change in local, state, and federal systems affecting people with disabilities.
Information and Referral
As a resource for information about any topic related to living with a disability, we assist individuals with disabilities, families, employers, and the community. An Information Series, containing flyers and booklets with helpful information, is also available. Here are some of the topics - click on the buttons below and the corresponding information sheet will open.
| Adaptive Clothing | Driving and Vehicles | Memory | Physical Disabilities |
| Visual Disabilities | Hearing Tips | Disability Etiquette | Emergency Preparedness |
Peer Support
We help match staff and trained volunteers who have personally experienced a disability and are able to provide support, encouragement, and guidance.
Student Support
Students with disabilities can count on us to be an active member of their IEP (Individualized Education Program) and Transition teams. Staff are a resource for students planning for life after high school. They provide information, advocacy, guidance for technology needs, and referrals to link students with community-based services when requested and appropriate. Supportive and personal care services may be offered by our caregivers in a dorm or other college setting, i.e. at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. Society's Assets also presents annual Scholarship Awards to students with disabilities enrolled full-time in college or vocational school. Contact us for the current scholarship application.
Transition From Nursing Homes
Staff assist individuals living in a nursing home who want to return to their homes in the community. They coordinate services, review the home environment for necessary modifications, recommend adaptive equipment, and advocate as needed.
Transportation Information
Society's Assets assists people with locating specialized transportation services, vehicle modifications such as ramps and lifts, and adaptive aids.
Programs
Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program
The Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP) is a program that helps people with disabilities to buy specialized equipment they need in order to use basic telephone services. Financial assistance is provided to help offset the cost. TEPP is funded by the Wisconsin Universal Service Fund (USF), established by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC). Services made possible through the USF are funded by Wisconsin telephone providers which helps pay for the equipment.
To receive financial assistance for purchasing telecommunications equipment, an application must be submitted for approval. Society's Assets staff can help with an application and with choosing the equipment that best meets your needs. Start by calling our office to inquire. If the application is approved, you will receive a voucher for a designated amount
The qualified amount is based on your disability. You must first identify on the application form your disability category. This will determine which voucher amount you are eligible for.
Disability Category Voucher Amount
Hard of Hearing $100
Severely Hard of Hearing or Deaf $800
Speech Disability $1,600
Mobility or Motion Disability $1,600
Severely Hard of Hearing or Deaf and Low Vision $2,500
Severely Hard of Hearing or Deaf and Blind $7,200
To be eligible, you must also meet all of the following criteria.
1) Be a Wisconsin resident
2) Be a person who is Hard of Hearing, Severely Hard of Hearing or Deaf, has a Speech Disability, or has a Mobility/Motion Disability
3) Have a need for special equipment in order to communicate in the home or when traveling
Please note - - You are responsible for a $100 co-pay. The voucher pays for the rest. If you can't afford the $100 co-pay, The Telecommunications Assistance Program (TAP) may be able to pay the $100 co-pay.
More information is available by calling Society's Assets at 1-800-378-9128. Ask for Rosary. She will assist you with applying for equipment.
T.R.E.E.S.Teaching Relationships for Everyone in Everyday Situations |
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Bookworm Club MeetingsOur Independent Living Center is hosting monthly Bookworm Club meetings to delve into books that explore disability-related themes. A limited supply of each title is available from our lending library. Past books include Still Alice, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Our group meets at the Northside Library in Kenosha at 1500 27th Avenue from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on the last Wednesday of every month. If you cannot attend in person you may call in. Dial (262) 619-3648 and use conference ID # 784303. For more information, send an email to Tami or call her at (262) 925-6097. |
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Revital EYES: Vision Loss Empowerment GroupRevital EYES is an empowerment group for those with any degree of vision loss. We meet monthly to give insight and provide resources for anyone with a visual impairment, no matter how recent. We support each other in being independent and living with vision loss. We meet in person and by call-in on the second Thursday of the month from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. For more information, send an email to Tami or call her at (262) 925-6097. |
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Additional Resources
Wisconsin Independent Living Network
This group of eight Independent Living Centers uses home and community-based programs to assist people of any age with all types of disabilities to become more self-sufficient and less dependent on long-term government support. A center supports residents of all 72 counties in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers Map
Jefferson County Aging and Disability Resource Center
The Aging and Disability Resource Center is here to provide information and assistance on a wide variety of topics.
Kenosha County Aging and Disability Resource Center
When questions arise about aging and disabilities, this website is a good place to start gathering information and determining program requirements for qualifications.
Racine County Aging and Disability Resource Center
Find the information you need to access resources and services for older adults and people with disabilities.
Rock County Aging and Disability Resource Center
The center provides information about resources and support on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability.
Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center
Find the information you need to access community resources and services for older adults and adults with disabilities.
Get in Touch with Legislators
Select " Who Are My Legislators?" and enter your home address to find your legislators.
Society's Assets is dedicated to being a strong community partner. We host several groups and events for disability awareness, peer support, and education for people with disabilities and mental health conditions and their families and friends. Follow our Facebook for current events and news.
