2015 Special Olympics World Games Schedule

To view a schedule of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games going on right now, click here.

Ticket to Work

 Disability Benefits & Employment: Make it Work for You!

• Are you interested in going to work or increasing your earnings?

• Do you need information on how working will affect your disability benefits? (SSDI & SSI)

• Do you want to connect with local agencies that can assist with finding a job and providing supports?

Then this workshop is for you!

Join us for this FREE community event:

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

1:30-3:30 p.m.

SC Works Upper Savannah

833 Main Street

Newberry, SC 29108

To register, get more information or request an accommodation: 

Visit Able SC's Website

Call 1.800.681.6805

TTY 803.779.0949

Email lbosma@able-sc.org

Accommodation requests need to be made at least 72 hours in advance.

Hosted by:

 

Community Builder: Mike Cox

Community Builder: 

Lexington man goes beyond overcoming odds

By Mary King

(WIS TV)

Posted: Jul 29, 2015 1:19 PM EST  

Updated: Jul 29, 2015 5:06 PM EST

 

LEXINGTON, SC

Lexington man Mike Cox was born with intellectual and physical disabilities, but those close to him say you would never know it.

“He has overcome so much,” Kelly Cox, Mike’s mom, said. “At the time he was born, his prognosis was that he would be blind, severely intellectually disabled, and never be able to walk, and that's not Mike.”

The now 36 year-old not only works full-time, but gives of his spare time every chance he gets, especially when it comes to volunteering for the Arc of the Midlands. 

The Arc advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mike serves on the board of directors, as a self-advocate and as a volunteer for several of the Arc’s programs.

Click here to read the rest of this article at WIS-TV.  

 

Fall Free Webinar Schedule

Fall Free Webinar Schedule

Compass – Let’s Review Core First

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 12-1pm ET

 

Core First is Tobii Dynavox’s own pageset centered around core words. Presented in a variety of layouts to facilitate development and meet access needs, Core First has two key options: the Fitzgerald Key and Keyboard Core. Join us in this session to review the communication potential.

Compass – Teaching Social Skills to Individuals Using AAC

Monday September 28th, 2015, 12-1pm ET 

For individuals with complex communication needs, social competence goes beyond establishing connections with others. It allows them to control their environment, develop language and literacy skills, offers a means to deescalate behaviors, improves respect from communication partners and increases communicative opportunities. This course will be offered for .1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).

Back to School with Communicator 5

Monday September 14th, 2015, 12-1pm ET

This session is for the Teachers and Therapists who have students using the Communicator 5 software, and will focus on the easy to use edit tools.  We will review the existing content and page set activities that can be customized to support back to school routines. Suggestions will be provided to support individuals at all communication levels.

Focus on the Functional: Compass Stroke & Brain Injury Persona

Thursday October 15th, 2015, 12-1pm ET

Persons with aphasia (PWA) have unique perspective, skills and needs that require unique features and tools in AAC. The Compass Stroke & Brain Injury Persona and supporting resources were designed with these in mind. Learn how to use these communication tools and resources to maximize your client’s participation in their life. This course will be offered for .1 ASHA CEUs (Introductory level, Professional area).

 (Click on title of webinar to register.)

Paula's Place Learning Lab & Software Training

Paula’s Place Learning Lab Open House

The South Carolina Autism Society is holding an Open House at our West Columbia office for our new Paula’s Place on August 4^th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Caregivers, self-advocates, educators, autism professionals, and other interested members of the community are invited to attend.

Paula’s Place is a software and enrichment lab, which can assist anyone on the autism spectrum with the various software and resources we have available.  Educators, therapists, and caregivers can come in and get training on software that can assist their students/children in all areas of academics, communication, and socialization, while individuals who are on the spectrum can try out various software that can assist them in school, work, and home environments.

Valeska Gioia will be demonstrating software that is available for use in the lab as well as symbol supported software that individuals can use to create supports for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder.  We supply all the resources needed and guide you through the process of creating supports for your home, school, or agency.  There is absolutely no cost to families, schools, or agencies for these services.

We are also available to discuss consultation and training for your agency or district in the areas of visual and communication supports, transitioning, behavioral modification, sensory integration, and anything else that you might have questions or concerns about.

There will be refreshments served throughout the day so come and join us to learn how we can help individuals with autism socialization, academics, communication, and much more.

Paula’s Place was created in memory of Paula Devan, who was an individual with autism.  Paula worked at the South Carolina Autism Society for many years.  She was loved by all who knew her, and worked with her.  Paula was a remarkable, funny, and loving woman who is greatly missed.

Our office is located at 806 12^th Street, West Columbia, SC.  For more information, please call Valeska Gioia at 803-316-3190 or email her at val@scautism.org.

Click here for more information from the SC Autism Society