WHO WE ARE

Access 2 Independence (A2I) of the Eastern Iowa Corridor is one of six Centers for Independent Living (CILs) serving the state of Iowa, and one of over 350 CILs operating across the United States. A2I originated in 1976 out of the Independent Living and Disability Rights movements of the 1960s and 70s. A2I serves eight counties in the state of Iowa. Those counties are, Benton, Cedar, Henry, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington county.

We are a community-based non-profit organization run by disabled people, for disabled people. We seek to empower individuals across the disability spectrum to make their own choices, control over their own lives, and fight for equal access and inclusion in society. We do this by directly assisting consumers with navigating complex governmental infrastructure, aiding them in developing independent living skills, and connecting them to the resources and services needed to fully participate in their communities and accomplish their self-determined goals.

Our staff is made up of at least 51% of disability-identified people at all times. This allows us to draw on our own lived experiences with disability and provide peer-to-peer services for our consumers. A2I is funded by a combination of federal funds, grants, and community fundraising efforts. This allows us to provide services free of charge to anyone in our service area who self-identifies as having a disability - regardless of income or access to Medicaid funding.

OUR SERVICES

Individuals receiving A2I services are divided into two categories: Those receiving Information & Referral services, and those receiving more comprehensive Consumer Services.

Information & Referral Services (I&R) involve providing information, resources, and referrals for anything disability-related. This includes information about state and federal programs, referrals to local agencies, guidance on where to obtain assistive technology or financial assistance, and much more. Anyone can receive I&R services from A2I at any time for any reason, regardless of location or disability status. This includes service providers, medical professionals, family members, community members, educators, and more.

Consumer Services are more comprehensive in nature than basic I&R services. Becoming an A2I consumer involves an intake and goal setting process between an A2I staff member and an individual seeking services. Once this process is complete, A2I staff will collaborate with the consumer to assist them in achieving their self-determined goals. This process can last anywhere from a few weeks up to one year or more depending on the individual's goals and circumstances.

Potential consumers must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Must live in one of our service area counties (Benton, Cedar, Jones, Henry, Johnson, Linn, Iowa, Washington)
• Must self-identify as having a significant disability (medical documentation is NOT required)
• Must have a specific goal(s) in mind and be ready to actively work towards goals in collaboration with staff.

Common types of consumer services we provide include (but are not limited to):

• Advocacy (development of self-advocacy skills or staff advocacy on behalf of consumers when appropriate)
• Peer Support (provided by staff members who identify as having a disability)
• Independent Living Skills Training (development of skills necessary to live independently, including financial management, navigating transportation, etc.; can be provided 1:1 or in a workshop setting)
• Nursing Home Transition (transitioning out of nursing homes and into community living)
• Youth Transition (assisting 14 to 24-year-olds with their transition into adult life)
• Application Assistance (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid waivers, SNAP etc.)

While we can provide I&R for the following services, our staff do not directly provide any of the following:

• Supported Community Living (SCL)
• Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
• Attendant care/in-home personal care
• Legal advice, tax assistance, or employment documentation
• Mental health counseling/crisis intervention
• Transportation of consumers
• Grocery shopping assistance
• On-going financial assistance
• Comprehensive case management