Former Employer Appealing My Unemployment

I was fired in Maine and have been collecting unemployment. I just found out that my former employer is apealing my unemployment claim. My former employer is alleging -that I am was a contract worker -that I violated company policy -that I disrupted service

I can prove that all of these things are false. I am working on getting the documents together and a list of witnesses. I do not have and cannot afford a lawyer. I also have a disability that makes answering and asking questions quickly difficult. I'm worried about my ability to represent myself well, to ask the right questions to witnesses, etc. I've also never subpoenaed anyone or anything before and don't know the process. Should I reach out to witnesses privately before asking for a subpoena? When I subpoena documents from my former employer, will I get a copy before the hearing? Can I ask for accommodations like having the testimony in writing instead of verbally, or having extra time to ask and answer questions? Can my spouse or a friend who is not a lawyer help represent me or ask questions on my behalf? Is there free representation I can seek?