Access 2 Independence

12/18/2025

Looking to support disabled small business owners and creators this holiday season and beyond? Check out the Empower Network's 2025 Holiday Gift Guide! Behind every listing is an entrepreneur who kept going on the hard days, poured their limited energy into something meaningful, and shared it with love. 💚❤️💙

The Empower Network Holiday Shopping Guide Shop with purpose. Support chronically sick and disabled entrepreneurs. Are you ready to shop small this holiday season? Download the Guide! Download the Guide as a PDF for easy viewing and sharing – with bonuses like curated highlights, seller spotlights...

12/18/2025

12/16/2025

Mark your calendars! Access 2 Independence will be hosting Bingo Night at Lucky's on Sixteenth! A2I will host a free game of bingo on Wednesday, January 21st 2026 from 6pm-8pm. Can't make it to bingo? No problem! Stop in for some delicious all-day breakfast, lunch, or dinner on 1/21/2026 and a percentage of the entire day's profits will be donated to A2I! We can't wait to see you there!

Lucky's on Sixteenth is located in the historic Czech Village & New Bohemia District in Cedar Rapids.

Address: 86 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Lucky's Menu: https://www.luckyson16th.net/menu

12/12/2025

Check out A2I's December 2025 Newsletter!

Email from Access 2 Independence of Eastern Iowa Corridor Check out the winter happenings at A2I! ❄️ Access 2 Independence of the Eastern Iowa Corridor December 2025 Newsletter   NOW HIRING: Full-Time

12/11/2025

Hey, neighbors! The Food Pantry will be closed for multiple days later this month.

The week of Christmas, we will be closed Wednesday, December 24 through Saturday, December 27. There will be no home deliveries offered that week. We encourage home delivery recipients to get their orders in as early as possible the week before.

For the week of New Year’s, we will be closed Wednesday, December 31 and Thursday, January 1. Home deliveries will available that week on the days we are open.

Thank you for understanding and for allowing our staff & volunteers an opportunity to be with families and reset before we greet what will be another historic year at the Food Pantry.

12/03/2025

Today we join the global community in recognizing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The 2025 theme is “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”

The 2025 theme calls on all of us to put disability inclusion at the center of our communities, systems, and policies.

We remain committed to advancing accessibility, equity, and opportunities for all.

12/02/2025

This please consider making a donation to Access 2 Independence of the Eastern Iowa Corridor! Your donation will help fund services that empower disabled Iowans to achieve their self-determined independent living goals.

Click Here to Donate: https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1695000

Access 2 Independence has been in the eastern Iowa community for over 45 years. Formed in 1979 from the former Evert Connor Rights and Resources Center, Access 2 Independence is one of six organizations in Iowa recognized as a Center for Independent Living. Access 2 Independence empowers individuals with disabilities to advocate for themselves in order to achieve greater independence and integrated community participation.

12/01/2025

Toy Redistribution alert!❤️🪀 If you are looking to find affordable (free) toy gifts, or just want your gently used toys to go towards making a child happy this holiday season, visit https://buff.ly/IFiaOOc for more information!

12/01/2025

It was 70 years ago today that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus. This historic act resulted in the Montgomery Bus Boycotts. Here is an NPR three minute audio article discussing the the impact this event had.

Seventy years ago, Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of a bus, sparking the Montgomery bus boycott. Montgomery, Alabama, and other cities will commemorate the historic act of defiance Monday.

12/01/2025

Update: Iowa City, you guys are amazing! Tickets for Bambi have already𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓! Don't worry if you couldn't get seats this time; we have more Sensory-Friendly movies in the works!

🍿Iowa City Area!🍿

Join us 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎 𝐀𝐌 for our next collab with our friends at FilmScene. Grab some friends and enjoy a FREE Sensory-Friendly showing of Bambi! All are welcome!

🔗Register for your FREE tickets here: https://icfilmscene.org/film/autism-society-of-iowa-screening-bambi/

12/01/2025

Here is an article about sensor friendly meetings with Santa at 100s of malls.

With the holiday season underway, kids with disabilities coast to coast will have the chance to meet Santa Claus in a calm setting that's been tailored to their needs.

11/25/2025

Access 2 Independence will be closed Thursday November 27, 2025 and Friday November 28, 2025 for Thanksgiving. We will reopen on Monday December 1st, 2025 at 8:00 AM. Wishing everyone a safe and pleasant holiday!