About

Who We Are:

Access 2 Independence has been in the eastern Iowa community for 40 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. To be recognized as a CIL, an organization must:

• be a not-for-profit, community based, non residential, cross-disability organization;
• have a strong emphasis on consumer-controlled principles;
• regularly conduct barrier removal, systems advocacy, and social change activities;
• provide the five core services of individual and systems advocacy, information and referral, peer support, independent living skills training, and transition.

Access 2 Independence empowers individuals with disabilities to advocate for themselves in order to achieve greater independence and integrated community participation. In addition, Access 2 Independence connects individuals with direct services to help individuals obtain the skills and supports they choose, in order to accomplish their self-determined goals.

For more information about CILs, visit the Administration for Community Living’s page on Centers for Independent Living here.