Access 2 Independence

01/15/2026

Is your child in junior high or high school? Do you have a plan for graduation? The Arc and Cedar Rapids Community School District are partnering to provide information and guidance on paths after high school for families and students with a disability. We hope you will join us to hear and learn from families just like you who successfully navigated the transition from school to adulthood.

Register To Attend: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHhCRQfoLTpzvCnoF8KmijY1VgEqp3fvfnSIjrqkYsvo6Q_A/viewform?pli=1

01/14/2026

Information about protecting your Medicaid Rights with Mail Delays & Appeals.

The U.S. Postal Service clarified that many letters have no postmark and they often don't show when a letter was mailed. Notices from Medicaid may arrive late without proof of mailing.

Do these 4 things to help protect yourself:

1) Keep the envelope. Do not throw it away.
2) Take a photo. Show the envelope with no label or postmark.
3) Write the date you received it. Write "Received on (date)" on the letter
4) Sign up for USPS informed Delivery. Get email alerts of incoming mail at informeddelivery.usps.com

Know your Iowa Rights:

- Iowa usually assumes you got the notice 5 days after the date on it (unless you can prove later)
-Appeal within 10 days of when you got the notice to keep services during your appeal.
-You have 90 days to request a hearing.

If they say "You missed the deadline":

"I did not get the notice until (date). I kept the envelope and wrote when I got it. There is no postmark or proof of mailing. I am asking for an appeal and to keep my services."

Bonus tip:

If you know a Medicaid Notice is coming, request it to be sent to you electronically (by email or through a portal) to receive it faster and avoid mail delays.

01/13/2026

Public Comment Information webpage for HOME

01/12/2026

UPDATE: Lucky's Bingo for A2I has been rescheduled for Wednesday March 4th, 2026 from 6-8pm!

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

01/12/2026

01/12/2026

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.