Independence Northwest, Inc.

Independence Northwest, Inc. Independence Northwest is the independent living resource for people with disabilities living in northwest Connecticut.

We believe the problem lies with society, not the individual. The preferred solution is to fix society to fit the individual. A disability is not a disease but a condition, often times permanent, that affects or restricts an individual’s ability to perform certain tasks. With our approach, the person with the disability controls the service instead of the professional; the desired outcome of servi

ce is to achieve control over daily living whenever and wherever possible. Using this approach, we developed a radically different set of services at Independence Northwest that are based on two fundamental principles:


• To ensure equal access and equal opportunity and,
• to empower people with disabilities to achieve greater independence so that they can lead fuller and more satisfying lives. People with disabilities are the controlling force behind our organization and have a voice in everything that we do: policy decisions, day-to-day operations, services and advocacy directions. As with all independent living organizations, the vast majority of people who work for Independence Northwest have disabilities. We work to meet the needs of our community by offering effective and purposeful services.

With the help of IN's Transition Team, Ann Marie went home today after nine months in a nursing facility. Welcome Home A...
06/03/2026

With the help of IN's Transition Team, Ann Marie went home today after nine months in a nursing facility. Welcome Home Ann Marie!

06/02/2026

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shared that they intend to publish a final regulation to implement Medicaid work requirements. This final policy, called an "IFR" (Interim Final Rule), comes out on June 3, 2026.

Work requirements go into effect on January 1, 2027, and the IFR tells states how to comply with the policy.

AAPD is digging into this long and complex policy, and will share many resources over the coming days and weeks, including tools to help you understand these changes, prepare to protect your benefits, and help you submit a comment about this proposal (even if you're not on Medicaid!).

But while our team hits the books, we're reminded that no special expertise is necessary to know that work requirements cause serious harm to disabled people. Disabled people and unbiased researchers have been raising alarms about work requirements for a long time.

Work requirements often unenroll eligible beneficiaries from health coverage when they can't keep up with intentionally complex, difficult-to-understand administrative requirements.

In Arkansas, temporary work requirements over a two-year period saw 18,000 people get removed from coverage. Many of them were not informed until they got to the doctor's office or pharmacy, and the care they needed was denied.

Read our statement about today's announcement to learn more about what we know, and what comes next: https://www.aapd.com/work-requirements-update/

This is a scary time for disabled Americans, but AAPD will be here for you with information and resources through it all.

ID: A navy graphic with white text and the AAPD logo in the corner reads "We have an important update about Medicaid work requirements. Read AAPD's statement to learn more and follow AAPD for future updates."

05/16/2026

On Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance announced the administration will withhold over a billion dollars in federal Medicaid payments from California for alleged failure to combat fraud in the public health insurance program. As of yesterday, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has deferred $1.1 billion in funding for California’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. Drastic cuts to essential services under the pretense of combatting fraud is likely to do great harm to disabled people in America.

Learn more and read the full statement at the link: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/latest-news/federal-deferral-of-funds-for-in-home-supportive-services-is-an-attack-on-the

This action threatens critical supports for hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities and older adults who rely on IHSS to live safely in their homes and communities. IHSS is a federally approved Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program and a cornerstone of California’s efforts to help people avoid unnecessary institutionalization and live in the most integrated settings as required by state and federal law.

Programs like IHSS make it possible for people to remain in their homes, maintain family and community connections, and avoid more restrictive and costly institutional care. IHSS providers help with getting out of bed, eating, bathing, dressing, taking medications, and other essential daily activities that allow people to remain safely in their homes and chosen communities.

A decision that destabilizes this system disregards the people who rely on these services and devalues the workforce that makes independent community living possible for disabled Californians. DRC urges the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to immediately restore the deferred IHSS funds and avoid actions that threaten access to IHSS and other Home and Community-Based Services.

05/13/2026

Connecticut’s All-Terrain Wheelchair Program is back for another season — and expanding access to even more of our State Parks and Forests.

Starting June 6, visitors will once again be able to reserve free all-terrain wheelchairs at seven locations across Connecticut, helping more people experience trails, nature, scenic overlooks, and outdoor recreation opportunities that can sometimes be difficult to access.

Over the past year, DEEP improved trails, removed barriers, upgraded signage, and streamlined the reservation process based directly on user feedback and support from the Bronco Wild Fund.

Programs like this help make Connecticut’s outdoors more welcoming, accessible, and connected for everyone. We had a strong start to this program during the 2025 season, and we are excited to see it grow in 2026.

Learn more and reserve: ctparks.com/all-terrain-wheelchairs

IN Advocate, Alyse Bergersen, attends the Non-Profit Rally at the state capital in Hartford.
04/30/2026

IN Advocate, Alyse Bergersen, attends the Non-Profit Rally at the state capital in Hartford.

Moving on out! Our consumer Caroline is leaving Bethel Health Care to begin a new life in the community. Since 1988, Ind...
04/29/2026

Moving on out! Our consumer Caroline is leaving Bethel Health Care to begin a new life in the community. Since 1988, Independence Northwest has been moving persons with disabilities out of institutions and into community living!

04/24/2026

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a cornerstone of disability rights in the United States. More than 50 years after its passage, it remains a vital protection against discrimination, yet it is also the subject of renewed public attention and legal debate. In the first installment of a three part series, we look at the history of Section 504 and how it reshaped rights in America.

Read our new blog post: "What is Section 504, and How Did it Change Disability Rights?" https://www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/04/section-504-disability-rights/

IN staff member Alyse Bergersen at the capital in Hartford with John Larkin.
04/23/2026

IN staff member Alyse Bergersen at the capital in Hartford with John Larkin.

Address

1183 New Haven Road Suite 200
Naugatuck, CT
06770

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+12037293299

Website

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