Special Needs Resources around Milwaukee

Broadscope Disability Services

6102 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield, WI 53220

(414) 329-4500

broadscope.org

Broadscope provides respite options for caregivers, with locations in Milwaukee and Waukesha.

Curative Care Network

curative.org

Curative Care provides high quality services to children, adults and seniors with disabilities or limiting conditions in southeast Wisconsin.

Sensory Friendly Sessions at Betty Brinn

Darby’s Dancers

Liberty Dance Center (404 Travis Lane #37, Waukesha, WI 53189)

darbysdancers.com

Darby’s Dancers provides an opportunity for children with special needs to participate in the performing arts through dance education.

Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin

2222 S. 114th St., West Allis, WI 53227

(414) 449-4444

easterseals.com/wi-se/

Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin provides services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

First Stage Next Steps

firststage.org

Next Steps Theater Academy classes teach life skills through stage skills. They serve both verbal and non-verbal students, students with classic autism, PDD-NOS, other sensory processing disorders, and Asperger’s. With small class sizes, the curriculum explores acting, singing, dancing and improvisation, through which students improve social understanding, fine and gross motor skills, empathy, conversation skills, public speaking and confidence.

Independence First

(414) 291-7520

independencefirst.org

Independence First inspires kids and adults with all types of disabilities to build skills for self-sufficiency.

GiGi’s Playhouse

8685 N. Port Washington Rd., Fox Point, WI 53217

(414) 797-0522

gigisplayhouse.org

GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center’s mission is to change the way the world views Down Syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. They offer free therapeutic and educational programming to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. They also partner with the new TOPSoccer program at Uihlein Soccer Park, a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities. Find out more here.

Life Navigators

7203 West Center St., Wauwatosa, WI 53210

(414) 774-6255

lifenavigators.org

Life Navigators provides opportunities and services for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Milwaukee Ballet Tour de Force

milwaukeeballet.org

In French, “tour de force” can be translated as a “vital step.” Milwaukee Ballet and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin offer children with disabilities a beginning ballet class and the chance to use their muscles and minds in new ways. At the close of the five-week sessions, the children enjoy a Milwaukee Ballet performance.

Milwaukee Center for Independence

2020 W. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53233

(414) 937-2020

mcfi.net

MCFI offers a full spectrum of professional services to help children with disabilities, profound medical issues and special needs reach their full potential.

Miracle League of Wisconsin

Werner Family Foundation Field (9050 N. Swan Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53224)

miracleleaguemilwaukee.org

The Miracle League allows all children to play organized baseball, regardless of ability. Kids with special-needs dress in uniforms, make plays in the field and round the bases, just like their peers in standard little leagues. Miracle League baseball is played on a custom-designed field featuring a cushioned, rubberized, completely flat surface to prevent injuries and allow access for the visually impaired and those in wheelchairs. All areas of the field, including the dugouts and restrooms, are universally accessible.

Office for Persons with Disabilities

901 N. 9th Street, Room 307-B, Milwaukee WI 53233

(414) 278-3932

Website

Parents United

parentsunitedwi.org

Parents United is a coalition of 25 school districts in collaboration with educators, community resources and related service providers focused on empowering parents of children with disabilities to become effective advocates and informed decision-makers. This non-profit community-based organization provides regular informational workshops featuring experts presenting a wide range of topics relative to students with disabilities and their families.

Penfield Children’s Center

833 N. 26th St., Milwaukee, WI 53233

(414) 344-7676

penfieldbuildingblocks.org

Penfield Children’s Center helps children reach age appropriate milestones and enter school ready to learn. Their speech pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, special education teachers, nurses, social workers, and early education professionals help children overcome developmental challenges.

Playgrounds for kids with special needs

The Richardson School

6753 W. Rogers St., West Allis, WI 53219

175 S. Barker Rd., Brookfield, WI 53045

richardsonschool.com

The Richardson School is a therapeutic day school located in your community that specializes in working with children, adolescents and young adults who have diagnoses of developmental/neurological disabilities, and behavioral and emotional issues.

Special Needs Swim at Springs Water Park

St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care

stanncenter.org

Stein Campus: (414) 977-50002801 E. Morgan Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207

Bucyrus Campus: (414) 210-24502450 W. North Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53205

St. Ann Center is an adult and child day care center open 6am to 6pmMonday through Friday. The center cares for children, plus adults (those over 17) with disabilities and the frail elderly as well as being a support for their families and caregivers. St. Ann Center provides community-based care that meets each individuals needs and helps them experience the joys of life through art, music and interactions with people all ages and abilities.

St. Francis Children’s Center

6700 N Port Washington Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217

Website

St. Francis Children;s Center offers early childhood education, birth to three services, and a free family activity center for parents and children.

United Cerebral Palsy of Southeast Wisconsin

6102 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield, WI 53220

(414) 329-4500

ucpsew.org

UCPSW seeks to advance the independence, productivity and rights of citizenship for persons with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families.

Vision Forward

912 N. Hawley R., Milwaukee, WI 53213

(414) 615-0100

vision-forward.org

Vision Forward helps empower, educate, and enhance the lives of individuals impacted by vision loss through all of life’s transitions.

Wisconsin First Step

mch-hotlines.org

Wisconsin First Step assists parents in finding resources for their children with special needs.

Zachariah’s Acres

N74W35911 Servants’ Way, Oconomowoc, WI 53066

(262) 825-3737

zachariahsacres.org

Zachariah’s Acres offers 48 pristine acres where kids with special needs and their families can enjoy nature and experience the outdoors and learn about agriculture and nature.

All-terrain wheelchair at Wehr Nature Center Wehr Nature Center is partnering with the Access Ability Wisconsin™ (AAW) network as a host site for an outdoor wheelchair (OWC). The launch and Open House will introduce the new wheelchair at Wehr Nature Center. Nature-themed family-friendly activities will also be available. AAW chairs can go where regular wheelchairs with skinny tires can’t travel. Providing access to these “hiking boots” allows anyone living with a physical disability an opportunity to experience the dignity & freedom to enjoy the great outdoors solo & with family & friends, just like everyone else! Residents can reserve the chair from Wehr Nature Center in advance of a visit, with just a $50 refundable deposit.

Wehr Nature Center’s trails are open from dawn to dusk daily. The Visitor Center is open from 8:30-4:30 seven days a week.

For more information on how to reserve the all-terrain outdoor wheelchair, visit: https://locations.accessabilitywi.org/Map/Milwaukee-Wehr

TAC: Social is a peer group for ages 10-18, with physical disabilities co-led by adult mentors with physical disabilities. The program provides an environment for participants to advocate for themselves and develop an increased sense of independence, confidence, and happiness. 

Website: tacwi.org/social