Potawatomi Expansion Welcomes People with Disabilities

The expanded Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. with its grand opening June 19th had IndependenceFirst as a proud subcontractor as the Access Consultant on the project. Memphis Tennessee-based Hnedak Bobo Group (HBG) was the main contractor who, after sending a nationwide RFP a few years ago in search of a partner with special expertise in access issues, chose IndependenceFirst.  Accessibility Services Coordinator, Diana Sullivan says, "Our input was key to achieving true access that goes beyond simple building codes and gets to the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA].  We put real, functional usage in the accessible design, developing an inclusive environment for customers or staff who have disabilities now, and those who will have age-related or other disabilities in the future."  

This contract has been a springboard for other, subsequent Access Consultation projects between HBG and IndependenceFirst in Detroit, California and the Pacific Northwest.  Ms. Sullivan gives a call to action for local and other national firms, "A large firm outside of Wisconsin saw the value of subcontracting for Access Consultation services.  Many construction projects including those locally, have under-valued the advantages of good, proactive and inclusive design for today's customers with disabilities and the millions more aging in the population in coming years.  Our services work to make all potential customers--with or without disabilities--welcome to go where they want to go and do what they would like to do in terms of accessibility of public places of business.  We bring a lot to the table for companies that want to welcome people with disabilities to their business."
<click here to request info on Accessibility Consultation Services>


Welcome to IndependenceFirst

Since 1979, IndependenceFirst is your primary resource on access and independent living for people with disabilities primarily serving four-county Metro Milwaukee.

Over 51% of IndependenceFirst's onsite staff, managers and Board have disabilities! With our vision for full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of the community, IndependenceFirst is truly consumer-controlled and "walking the talk."

IndependenceFirst provides many services for the community, businesses, people with disabilities and their families. So, bookmark this, link it and check back to stay up to date on IndependenceFirst activities!