Our Story

How We Got Here…

In the fall of 1993, Southeastern Wisconsin Center for Independent Living (SEWCIL) started scheduling sign language interpreters for the entire state of Wisconsin. SEWCIL partnered with Interpreter Coordination Service (ICS); the Alliance for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard-of-Hearing; and the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (WI-ADARA) to unite sign language interpreters all across Wisconsin. 

ICS was a state program for Wisconsin until 2000. They were instrumental in developing the first computer program for scheduling. When ICS closed its doors, a group of interpreters still housed at SEWCIL (which became Independence First) approached the Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CDHH) and asked to join their mission. On February 12, 2000, this group moved to CDHH and became known as Communication Link. CDHH, now known as HEAR Wisconsin, moved to its current location on National Avenue in West Allis in September 2005. Communication Link eventually shortened its name to CommLink. It is currently just one of many services offered by HEAR Wisconsin. CommLink focuses on providing high quality, professional, and affordable interpreting services throughout southeastern and central Wisconsin.