ABLE SC, Newsletter

 

Able SC March 2025 News Recently a staff member shared this thought with us: "Interdependence isn’t weakness—it’s power. In the disability movement, interdependence and collective care are about recognizing that we all need support. They’re about building communities where we uplift, protect, and care for each other because no one thrives alone. When we move together, we move further." This month has been an exercise of our collective power. Section 504 Lawsuit: Our community is steadfast in defending our rights. In late February, we sent a letter to SC Attorney General Alan Wilson and launched a petition urging the protection of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Within 36 hours, we gathered over 500 signatures; by delivery, that number exceeded 800, with many sharing personal stories of 504’s impact. Today, the petition nears 1,000 signatures. Thanks to your determination, the lawsuit remains on pause. Medicaid Threats: Days later, we learned of federal threats to Medicaid—an essential lifeline for millions with disabilities. Congress approved a budget framework that includes billions in Medicaid cuts over the next decade. In response, we collected 50 personal stories within hours and delivered them to the U.S. Senate, including Senators Graham and Scott, urging them to reject the proposal. We continue gathering stories to educate policymakers. Employee Appreciation: This month also marked Employee Appreciation Day. At Able SC, our team is more than appreciated—they are vital. Their dedication and disability pride empower our community, helping individuals achieve their goals, inspiring youth, and educating employers and leaders about accessibility and acceptance. They advocate for systemic change, bring loved ones home from institutions, and protect rights. But most of all, they live our mission every day through their lived experience and sense of purpose. We are strong when we work together. Dependence on each other is not something to be ashamed of, but something to embrace. Our community are change-makers, and "when we move together, we move further."

Disability and Women's History Month Disabled women have historically played a crucial role in advocating for disability and women's rights and challenging barriers. Despite facing discrimination based on gender and disability, disabled women leaders have strived for inclusion, accessibility, and justice. Here are 10 disabled women from history and today, making a difference: Judith "Judy" Heumann (1947–2023) – A pioneering disability rights activist, Heumann played a key role in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and led the 504 Sit-in, the longest nonviolent occupation of a federal building. Haben Girma – The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, she is an advocate for disability rights and accessibility in technology and education. Alice Wong – Founder of the Disability Visibility Project, Wong is a writer, activist, and media maker dedicated to amplifying disabled voices. Vilissa Thompson – A disability rights consultant and creator of Ramp Your Voice!, Thompson focuses on how race, gender, and disability justice work together. Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) – Best known for her work as an abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor, Tubman also lived with epilepsy and chronic pain from a head injury she sustained as an enslaved child. Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) – The famous Mexican artist lived with chronic pain and disability due to polio and a severe bus accident, expressing her experiences through powerful self-portraits. Emily Ladau – A writer, activist, and author of Demystifying Disability, Ladau educates others on disability inclusion and accessibility. Tammy Duckworth – A U.S. senator and Iraq War veteran, Duckworth is a double amputee and advocate for disability rights, veterans, and mothers. Stella Young (1982–2014) – An Australian disability activist and comedian, Young challenged perceptions of disabled people, coining the term "inspiration porn" to critique patronizing narratives. Andrea Dalzell – The first registered nurse in a wheelchair in New York, Dalzell is a fierce advocate for accessibility and inclusion in healthcare. Celebrating disabled women during Women’s History Month elevates their voices and achievements. By recognizing their contributions, we can create a more welcoming world where all women feel valued and empowered.

Equity and disability What does equity mean for students with disabilities? Equity is belonging. Equity is fulfilling the goals of full participation and equal opportunity of the Americans with Disabilities Act. When we allow equity in our classrooms, we create a space where students with disabilities know they belong and are a part of their school community. Last fall we created a tool that explores exactly how to meet the needs of our students with disabilities, equitably. Success Story Highlight Recently our Director of Advocacy, Alie Springgate, was contacted by a woman with a disability, seeking help to leave a residential facility and move back into her community. She was wrongfully placed in a facility far away from her family against her wishes. She is now living in the community setting of her choice and close to her family once again, thanks to skills she developed in self-advocacy and help from Able South Carolina!

Upcoming Events Able SC has an abundance of educational events, social events, and more. Be sure to save these dates: Advocacy Day for Access & Independence: SC Statehouse North Steps and Livestreamed, April 8, 10 am to 12 pm Youth Events: Events for Disabled Youth ages 13-28 Equip Hangouts: 1st and 3rd Thursdays 6-7 pm Creative Writing Club: Online event on Discord, March 27 at 6 pm contact equip@able-sc.org Peer-To-Peer, Coast-to-Coast: Connect with youth, just like you, in Orange County, CA! 1st Saturdays, 2-3 pm Learn Programming with SC-CATER: Get certified in Unity programming, 2nd Saturdays, 10 am-12:30 pm Consumer Events: Events for People with Disabilities Weekly Empower Hour: Thursdays online 1-2 pm, In person once a month, contact info@able-sc.org April: Personal Safety & Healthcare: free training online and in person. Follow link for dates and details. Disability Employment Benefits Workshop: Online, May 21 from 1-3 pm Education Trainings: Disability & Arts Webinar, Discipline-Specific Ways to Provide Accessibility: Assistive Technology Intro., April 2 @ 3 pm Employing with Intention: Free Trainings for HR Professionals, March 27   Midlands Gives is coming: you don't have to wait! On May 6, 2025, we are participating in Midlands Gives, a region-wide initiative that brings the community together to raise money and awareness for local nonprofits in the Midlands. Guess what? You don’t have to wait until May 6th to make an impact! You can start giving today to help us do more of what we do best: equip people with disabilities, educate others, and advocate for our community! Why Give early? Immediate impact: Your early gift helps us build momentum, boosting our chances to win prizes – every dollar counts! Inspire others: Your generosity now can inspire others to give, creating a wave of generosity throughout the community. Donate now: Visit MidlandsGives.org and search Able South Carolina to donate! Donate for Midlands Gives!

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Able South Carolina 720 Gracern Road Suite 106 | Columbia, South Carolina 29210 803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org Follow Us Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, Spring Newsletter

 

Support us In recognition of Women's History Month In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate all of the inspiring and dedicated women of FPG, who are represented by their work, their publications, through news stories, and more across our website. We're sharing profile stories featuring some of these incredible women—scientists, specialists, and faculty fellows—whose work in research and evaluation, implementation, technical assistance, and outreach promotes positive developmental and educational outcomes for children of all backgrounds and all abilities from the earliest years here in North Carolina, throughout the United States, and around the world. New Media from FPG Impact Center releases episode 8 of Implementation Science at Work podcast STEMIE launches a redesigned website with centralized blog and more FPG’s autism team works to improve outcomes for students on the spectrum Within our Institute, is a diverse team of scholars―FPG’s autism team—who collaborate on a variety of projects and research aimed at improving outcomes for students on the spectrum and providing tools and support to caregivers and teachers who support and serve them. “What makes FPG’s autism team so special is that support for children and families is centered in much of our work" says Ann Sam (pictured here). "Not only are we undertaking huge research projects, but we then take the information that we learn and disseminate it as quickly as possible to educators and families who work closely with autistic individuals.” Read the full story. Awards Spotlight Hume receives DADD Research Award FPG Faculty Fellow Kara Hume is the recipient of the 2025 Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research Award, which honors outstanding contributions to research supporting individuals with autism, intellectual disability, and other developmental disabilities. Lim and Vinh receive 2025 Thelma Harms Early Childhood Education Award FPG's Chih-Ing Lim and Megan Vinh have been named as the recipients of the 2025 Thelma Harms Early Childhood Education Award. The award is designed to further the understanding and improvement of early childhood program quality internationally. Sean Sylvia receives a Gillings Research Excellence Award The UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health has announced the recipients of the second Gillings Research Excellence Awards. Seven faculty members, including FPG Faculty Fellow Sean Sylvia, will receive $500 each to support their research, scholarship, and professional development. Recent Publications A longitudinal study of Head Start teacher turnover trends and factors The Effects of Dual Language Education on Young Bilingual Children’s Learning: A Systematic Review of Research Strengthening Education Through Equitable and Inclusive Evidence-Based Teaching Practices: A Scoping Review Linguistic justice: Addressing Linguistic Variation of Black Children in Teaching and Learning Effective Implementation of High-quality Math Curriculum and Instruction Building Equitable Research and Evaluation Practices in the Educare Learning Network Who, When, Where, and Why: A Systematic Review of “Late Diagnosis” in Autism (Re)Conceptualizing STEM Learning and Teaching for Young Children With Disabilities Critical Issues in Measuring and Teaching Social Problem-solving in Early Childhood Research Join us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute. There's still time to register for in-person or virtual attendance. This hybrid event will take place Tuesday, May 13 through Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill, NC, and online via Zoom. Register now For more news stories and information about our projects, publications, and resources, be sure to visit our website. Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 910 Raleigh Road Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8180 Contact us

UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute | 910 Raleigh Road | Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8180 US