Voter registration events designed for residents with disabilities

Access 2 Independence, a nonprofit center for independent living based in Iowa City, is hosting two upcoming voter registration drives.

The first takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. July 18 at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE.

The second is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 20 at the Coralville Public Library, 1401 Fifth St.

The events are in collaboration with the REVUP Campaign and the EveryLibrary organization for National Disability Voter Registration Week, which is from July 17-21.

The events are designed to register area residents with disabilities, but anyone can register, said Talor Gray, independent living specialist for Access 2. Registration documents will be available at the event and a laptop will be on hand for those wishing to register online.

Gray said officials do not need to see identification for someone to register, but there are several pieces of information those who are registering should know in order to complete the application.

'People should know their driver's license ID or the last 4 digits of their social security number to register with paper documents, as well as their residing address, mailing address - if different from residing address - and birthday, Gray said in an email to The Gazette.

'If someone wants to register online, they will need their driver's license ID or non-driver ID, the last 5 digits of their social security number, as well as knowing their address and birthday.”

Formed in 1979 as the Evert Connor Rights and Resources Center, Access 2 Independence empowers individuals with any disability to advocate for themselves in order to achieve greater independence and integrated community participation.

The agency primarily serves residents in Benton, Cedar, Henry, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties.