When Jill Nyberg, Executive Director of Indigo – “Your Allies for Independence” – walks into an Indigo game night, she sees more than controllers and screens. She sees opportunity: a space where people with disabilities can connect, compete, and—most importantly—feel at home. Thanks to a recent Wispact Foundation Legacy Grant, Indigo has launched an Adaptive Gaming Program that’s breaking down barriers to fun, friendship, and community engagement across Northwest Wisconsin.
Reimagining Recreation for the 21st Century
“Recreation has evolved,” Jill reflects. “It’s no longer just outdoor adventure sports—it’s gaming, too.” Yet until now, adaptive gaming equipment has sat outside the scope of typical disability‐services funding. “State and federal funders need us to focus on core services. We had no grant source to bring adaptive controllers, consoles, or specialized furniture under our roof.”
Enter the Wispact Foundation. With their support, Indigo procured Nintendo Switches, Xboxes, PlayStations—and the full suite of adaptive controllers that make these consoles accessible. Complete with roll-around carts to mobilize equipment, noise-canceling headphones, and adjustable seating, the setup transforms Indigo’s conference room into a flexible gaming lounge tailored to diverse needs.
A Safe Place to Play—and Belong
At their first quarterly game night, participants discovered a haven. Some attended wearing headphones to manage sensory sensitivities; others tested single-player setups when group play felt overwhelming. For many, the most profound impact was simply having choice.
“We learned that youth and young adults crave a safe place to game,” Jill says. “Online interactions can be overstimulating, and mainstream arcades aren’t always welcoming. Our space says, ‘We get you. You belong here.’”
One newcomer, deafblind and hesitant to try even mainstream adaptive programs, learned about Indigo’s gaming opportunity—and felt understood. “She said, ‘These people get me,’” Jill recalls. “She’s now a regular: gaming one night, sipping coffee the next. The socialization—just being around others—has been life-changing for her.”
Linking Fun to Core Mission
Though gaming nights are bright and fun, they’re also strategic. Jill uses them to introduce Indigo’s five core services:
• Information & Referral: Connecting people to resources.
• Independent Living Skills Training: One-on-one coaching.
• Peer Support: Disability and mental-health peer networks.
• Advocacy: From individual self-advocacy to systems-level change.
• Transition: Supporting youth transition into post-secondary life and helping transition people from institutional settings into the community.
“Adaptive gaming is our hook,” Jill explains. “Once we have someone’s attention with ‘Hey, want to try this cool tech?’ we segue into our assistive-tech loan program, peer support, or life-skills training. It’s fun, but it’s also a pathway into deeper services.”
Building Tomorrow’s Disability Leaders
Jill’s vision extends beyond game nights. A key goal since she returned to Indigo six years ago has been reaching youth—especially those isolated by the pandemic. “We need to develop the next generation of leaders with disabilities,” she emphasizes. “Much of our movement’s leadership is approaching retirement. Gaming events bring young people in, spark connections, and plant seeds for future advocacy.”
What’s Next for Indigo—and How You Can Help
Jill and her team are already planning the next game night—and they’ll reapply for Wispact funding to sustain and grow the program. But Indigo’s biggest need isn’t controllers or consoles; it’s awareness. “Just knowing we exist—and spreading the word—helps people find us,” Jill urges. Referrals make all the difference. And while Indigo doesn’t rely on consumer donations, any gift is greatly appreciated.
If you live in or around Northwest Wisconsin, or know someone who would benefit, please call Indigo at 800 924-1220 V/711 Relay or visit indigowi.org. Whether you’re drawn by adaptive gaming or need independent‐living support, Jill and the Indigo team are ready to be your allies for independence—one controller at a time.