Access 2 Independence

09/02/2026

⏰ Reminder: Registration closes soon!
Our FREE beginner ASL class starts Thursday, September 10th at Hillside Community Church in Cedar Rapids, and spots are limited to 30 students.
📍 Hillside Community Church – 2600 1st Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
📅 Starts: Thursday, September 10, 2026
⏰ Time: Thursdays, 6:00–7:30 PM (10 weeks)
💲 Cost: FREE
Registration closes September 7th, or once we hit capacity, so don't wait!
📝 Register here: https://forms.gle/9mMRL5bPyfgiw3VR6
📧 Questions? Contact Tess at [email protected]
We'd love to see you there! 💚

09/02/2026

Kicking off your Monday with an important ADA reminder - and motivation!

"Accessibility isn't special treatment. Equal access is a civil right."

PS - we don't know who created this great graphic. If you know the creator, please tag them in the comments below!

09/02/2026

you have questions about the new school discipline bill signed into law this summer... we have answers.

follow this link to learn more about how this bill could impact your child with disabilities education and what their rights to education still are:
https://disabilityrightsiowa.org/what-we-do/education/school-discipline/

ID: text reading "new special education law in Iowa. SF 2428: Discipline of Students who Cause Violent or Nonviolent Disruptions"

08/26/2026

Lyft is taking steps to allow more people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to access rides paid for through Medicaid home and community-based services programs.

08/24/2026

Here is a NPR article about a brother and sister fighting and advocating to keep disability rights.

Siblings Cody and Kaleigh Brendle have grown up with the right to community integration. Now, they worry those protections for people with disabilities like them are being eroded.

08/20/2026

The Art and Craft Supplies Pop-up Events are this week at the East Side Recycling Center! Event info: www.icgov.org/reduce
Donate quality supplies you no longer need on these days:
🖍️ Wednesday, August 19 from 2 to 6 p.m.
🖍️ Thursday, August 20 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Pick up free supplies on these days:
♻ Friday, August 21 from 4 to 8 p.m.
♻ Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn more at www.icgov.org/reduce.

08/12/2026

Finding the right reasonable accommodations at work can make a big difference in your success. But knowing how to ask for accommodations -- and feeling confident throughout the process -- can sometimes be challenging. Read our blog post to find out how ...

08/10/2026

The Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) wants to hear from you! Please help the SILC learn more about what can be done to help people with disabilities in the state of Iowa. Please check out this link to learn more information about the survey.

Every three years the Iowa SILC reaches out for input from people around the state who have disabilities. This feedback is used to develop our Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

07/27/2026