Midlands Strides for Midlands 2015

The SC Autism Society are excited for their Midlands Strides for Autism event, coming up this Saturday, May 2nd at Saluda Shoals Park in Irmo.  Take a look at some of the great activities planned!  And don't forget to register online at http://scautism.org/event/strides-midlands-2015/!

Fun Walk
Like to walk a lot?  Like to walk a little?  Prefer to sit on the sidelines and people-watch?  It doesn't matter!  We walk for awareness, not endurance!  So come out and stroll the path at beautiful Saluda Shoals Park!  Bring your stroller or wagon.  Maybe even decorate them for our parade and contest! 

Resource Fair
One of the most educational part of Strides for Autism is our Resource Fair!  Come and learn more about these and other great organizations serving families affected by autism!
• Babcock Center
• Camp T.A.L.K.
• Capital City Therapy Group, LLC
• Carolina ABA Solutions
• Davis Orthodontics
• Early Autism Project, Inc
• Easter Seals
• Key Changes Music Therapy
• Lexington Medical Center
• Palmetto Autism Interventions
• Therapy360

Scout Flag Ceremony Since 2010, Strides events have kicked off with a flag ceremony.   • We welcome all Scouts, male or female, currently active or inactive, ASD or their peers who wish to come out in support. • Uniforms are encouraged, but not required. • Participants will report to the event site by 8:15 am for a brief practice. We are also seeking adult scout leaders to lead the flag ceremony on the event day for both events. Visit http://scautism.org/strides/strides-scout-flag-ceremony/ to register to participate.

Wheels Parade & Competition Don't forget to give the kids a project this week and let them decorate their wagon, stroller or wheelchair for our "Wheels Parade & Competition"!  Who will come out with the most creative design?  Just no balloons please, due to park rules.  Prizes will be awarded!

Choo Choo!  Who doesn't love a train?  The Saluda Shoals Park Train will be chugging around the park providing fun rides for our families!  All Aboard!

Game Truck! Did we mention that we'll have a GAME TRUCK at Midlands Strides for Autism? We will and it is awesome!  Try out some new games, or challenge a friend to a competition!

Music Therapy Class Calling all singers, musicians, dancers, and those who just like to clap along!  Key Changes Music Therapy will be providing a free Music Therapy class at Midlands Strides!  Learn a new song or move to the beat! To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Volunteers Needed

Men and Women with Intellectual Disabilities Needed to Volunteer for "The Safety Class" Study
If.....

• You are at least 18 years old

• Your disability started before age 18

• Your disability makes a difference in how you learn, or understand, or live on your own without any help 

If you take part in this study, you will receive a small payment
CONTACT US TODAY and ask about taking part in "The Safety Class" Study!
AbleSC
Phone: (803) 779-5121
TTY: (803) 779-0949
dtempio@able-sc.org

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Midlands Strides for Autism

Resource Fair Opportunity Midlands Strides for Autism

Deadline Approaching Fast!

The South Carolina Autism Society is excited to announce Resource Fair Opportunities at Midlands Strides for Autism on May 2nd.  We invite you to consider participating in this exciting event.  

See below for a list of those already signed up! 

 Register now at http://scautism.org/shop/exhibitor-opportunities/strides/, or email me at SusanL@scautism.org for further information.

Current Exhibitors

Babcock Center

Camp T.A.L.K.

Capital City Therapy Group, LLC

Carolina ABA Solutions

Davis Orthodontics

Early Autism Project, Inc

Easter Seals

Key Changes Music Therapy

Lexington Medical Center

Palmetto Autism Interventions

Therapy360 To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

SCAS Monthly Newsletter

Below is the latest edition of the South Carolina Autism Society's monthly newsletter.

Wow!  It has been a busy month already at the South Carolina Autism Society!  We kicked off April with Upstate Strides for Autism at Heritage Park in Simpsonville.  Those who attended enjoyed a beautiful morning of fun activities, learning about various autism resources, and connecting with others in the autism community.  Thank you to everyone who came and all who volunteered, especially the AT&T Pioneers, Cub Scout Pack 527, and students from Bob Jones University. Last Friday, we had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Jed Baker talk about preparing for the future and social skills at our Annual Conference.  There was a great turnout, including caregivers, educators, professionals, and self-advocates.  Thank you also to all the wonderful breakout session presenters who shared their expertise with our conference attendees!   Not to slow down, on Saturday we partnered with several other organizations to bring Wings for Autism to the Columbia Airport.  Wings is a flight-rehearsal program designed to help individuals with autism become accustomed to the airport and flight experience.  Seeing the participants' reactions as they came of the plane proved that it was a successful and exciting experience for all who attended. But Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month is not over yet!  We still have lots of great ways for you to get involved.  Consider participating in our Midlands Strides for Autism on May 2nd, or one of our other many opportunities mentioned in this newsletter. Please contact us if you have questions, need assistance, or would like to get further involved.  Our main number is 803-750-6988, or visit our website at scautism.org. Sincerely, Kim Thomas, President & CEO South Carolina Autism Society To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

South Carolina Autism Society Golf Tournament Rescheduled

South Carolina Autism Society Golf Tournament New Date: May 13th

Indian River is once again hosting their annual tournament in which all proceeds go directly to South Carolina Autism Society!
This will be a 4 Member Captain’s Choice (Best Ball).
Registration will be at 8:00am.  Tournament begins at 9:00 am
Each player pays $45.  
This fee includes: Green Fee – Prizes – Lunch and Drinks (cocktails included) – Golf Cart

For more information, contact Buddy at (803) 240-7097 

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Paula's Place: Learning Lab and Software Training

The South Carolina Autism Society would like to announce the addition of Paula’s Place to their main office in West Columbia. Paula’s Place is a learning lab dedicated to individuals with autism of all ages, parents, educators, paraprofessionals, and therapists to learn how to use various software and how to create supports for school and home use.

Paula’s Place contains software for visual supports, behavioral and communication supports, social stories, and various software that can assist individuals with ASD with accessing assistive technology and assisting with the curriculum.  Software that will be available will be text-to-speech, word prediction, speech recognition, and Microsoft Accessibility Options (which assists with access to the computer).  Switch Access is also available for physical involved individuals that require assistance with accessing technology.

Please contact Delilah delilah@scautism.org (803)–750-6988 Ext. 108 if you are interested in using the lab or if you’re interested in individualize training as well as more information.  Paula’s Place will officially open on April 23, 2015 and will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week.  The lab will have early morning hours on Tuesdays, starting at 7:00 AM, for educators, therapists, or early risers and evening hours on Thursdays, until 8:00 PM.

Valeska Gioia, a Nationally Certified Autism Consultant and Nationally Certified Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) will be assisting and training individuals on the software and guiding them to create needed materials. 

This lab was created in Paula Devan’s memory, 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.

                                To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

SC Spinal Cord Injury Association

Want to Learn About Innovative Equipment Designed for Wheelchair Users? Need the Use of a Portable Ramp on a Temporary Basis? If The Answer To Either of These Questions is “yes,” a New Free Service Is Available. The South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association recently purchased a number of pieces of equipment, funded by a Quality of Life Grant from The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. This equipment will be available for individuals in South Carolina with spinal cord injuries to borrow at no cost. In addition to the ramps filling a temporary need, this service gives people a chance to try out different assistive technology options before making the decision to purchase, or in some cases, the decision not to purchase. All the equipment will be housed at and loaned out through South Carolina Assistive Technology Program in Columbia, who is partnering with the association on this service. To see the equipment for loan, click HERE to download the packet!  To borrow a piece of equipment, contact the South Carolina Assistive Technology Program at 803-935-5337 or Toll-Free at 800-915-4522 to receive the necessary paperwork or download it here.

Provider of Online Courses Agrees to Make Its Website Accessible to People with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement with edX Inc. to settle alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The online education and training provider has agreed to make its website and mobile applications fully accessible to people with disabilities, including those who have vision, hearing or physical disabilities. edX was created by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University as a nonprofit platform for select universities to offer free online courses.

To read more please visit: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-reaches-settlement-edx-inc-provider-massive-open-online-courses-make-its

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

South Carolina Pathways to Justice Conference

The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability™ (NCCJD) is excited to offer this first-of-its kind training program, Pathways to Justice™, dedicated to creating a multi-disciplinary approach focused on both victim/witness and suspect/offender issues, addressing pervasive problems faced by criminal justice professionals, people with disabilities, and their families. This training empowers individual professionals and communities, and both new and experienced criminal justice or disability advocacy/training professionals.

Pathways to Justice™ hopes to reveal “hidden disabilities”  and increase awareness of  intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and also disabilities generally, within the United States criminal justice system.  The training relies heavily on evidence-based models currently used in mental health, victim advocacy, policing, and legal fields. The overall goal of the training is to create site-specific, holistic solutions to complex challenges that occur when people with disabilities become involved in the criminal justice system as victims, witnesses, suspects or offenders.

It is offered at no cost to participants through funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the U.S. Department of Justice, and The Arc. Please note seating is limited. 

The program is scheduled from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Monday, May 4th, 2015. A special conference room rate is available for NCCJD participants traveling in from different parts of the state. Use this reservation link to book your group rate for Pathways to Justice

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

South Carolina Autism Society 2015 Annual Conference

DON’T MISS THE SOUTH CAROLINA AUTISM SOCIETY’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, FEATURING JED BAKER AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER. 

This Friday, April 17, 2015

Time: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Cost: $50 per person

Location:  Saluda Shoals, 5605 Bush River Road, Irmo, SC  29212

Click here to Register for the Conference 

Click here to Exhibit at the Conference

Jed Baker, Ph.D. is the director of the Social Skills Training Project, a private organization, serving individuals with autism and social communication problems. He is on the professional advisory board of Autism Today, ASPEN, ANSWER, YAI, the Kelberman Center and several other autism organizations. In addition, he writes, lectures, and provides training internationally on the topic of social skills training and managing challenging behaviors. He is an award-winning author of five books. His presentation is titled, “Preparing for Real Life: Harnessing Strengths, Overcoming Obstacles and Learning Relevant Skills” and reviews some of the key predictors of successful adult outcomes among students with special needs, including the awareness of strengths and challenges, perseverance, learning skills to accomplish realistic goals, and preventing disruptive behaviors. The second part of the presentation details effective social skill training strategies for all individuals and reviews some common skill needs for young adults, including the realm of sexuality and dating.

Registration is $50, which includes lunch.

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Peer Visitor Program

Are You New to Spinal Cord Injury or Living with One and Have Questions?
  
We understand the profound effect that a spinal cord injury has on an individual and his or her family. That's why we offer one-on-one visits by volunteer Peer Visitors who have successfully been living with spinal cord injuries. Their personal experiences put them in a unique position to offer support, motivation, and a listening ear.

Peer Visitors make visits to hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, homes, and in the community - whichever is most convenient and beneficial to the person involved. During the visit each individual receives a backpack that fits on the back of a wheelchair. The backpack is stocked with helpful supplies and resource materials, including a foldable grabber tool, inspection mirror, and a copy of "From There to Here," a collection of 45 essays on adjustment to spinal cord injury.

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

The South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum

This leadership forum is designed to help youth with disabilities to further develop leadership skills that can help them face challenges to being participating members of their communities. Students who will be a junior or senior during the 2014-2015 school year or will graduate in June 2014 are eligible to apply. While there is no cost to attend, students must provide their own transportation to and from Newberry College. 

When: July 8-10, 2014 

Where: Columbia College

Application: http://scvrd.net/individuals/ylf.php#application

Deadline for Application: April 15, 2015

Cost: Free

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

AbleThrive, Empowering People with Disabilities Throughout The World

AbleThrive is an online support network of crowdsourced tips and advice for people with disabilities and their families to overcome challenges and thrive. With sharing and bookmarking of discussions, videos and people, members not only recognize their own potential, but also have the tools and motivation to fulfill it. Whether our members want to drive, skydive or just connect with someone in a similar situation, we can provide quality connections and relevant information that engage and unite this global community.

For more information please visit: www.ablethrive.com

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Advocacy Day for Access and Independence

APRIL 16, 2015 9:30AM-1:00PM Join us at the SC State House as we celebrate 25 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act and continue to move closer to our goal of equal rights and full inclusion for people with disabilities!  Hear from speakers from the disability community and meet your lawmakers to discuss the issues that are important to you:  Employment Housing Healthcare Transportation

Please make accommodation requests during registration at least one week in advance of event date.
T-shirts and lunch will be provided as supplies last on a first come, first served basis.

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

AT for Low Vision Workshop

Date: Thursday, April 30, 2015

Time: 1:00 - 2:30 pmLocation:
Poplar Building Conference RoomSC Assistive Technology Program
8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC

• Complete the AT for Low Vision online registration form.

• For questions about registration, call Will McCain at (803) 935-5004 or Lydia Durham at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.

• For questions about workshop content, contact Quintex Low Vision at 800-346-7974.

Audience: Teachers, administrators, VR counselors, students, AT Consultants/Specialists, individuals who are visually impaired, anyone interested in Low Vision Technology

Description: Assistive Technology is a lifeline for people who are visually impaired. From video magnifiers to screen enlargement software - all of these items are essential to the person with a vision impairment. Whether you're a teacher of students with vision impairments, an AT Specialist, a counselor, or a person with a visual impairment, this presentation will be of benefit.

An overview of the latest and greatest - from portable video magnifiers to OCR products to the new release of MAGic Software - you will see it all. Please join us for this informative and hands-on presentation.

Cost: Free, but pre-registration is required.

To register for this workshop: 

• Complete the AT for Low Vision online registration form.
• For questions about registration, call Will McCain at (803) 935-5004 or Lydia Durham at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.
• For questions about workshop content, contact Quintex Low Vision at 800-346-7974.

Coffee Talk Parent Support: April 1st

Monthly coffee talk on the first Wednesday of every month at SCAS upstate office. Families can visit, talk, share resources, and have coffee with homemade goodies. Children are always welcomed, but childcare is not provided.


Important Provider Notice:
Please note that this is a parent and caregiver support format. Businesses, organizations, and providers are welcome to send or drop materials for us to distribute.

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Autism Awareness Month

1 in 68 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Show your support for families affected by autism by wearing BLUE tomorrow!

April is Autism Awareness Month, and tomorrow, April 2^nd, is World Autism Awareness Day (called “Light It Up Blue”).   There are many events planned worldwide to mark this date, most of which include turning things blue with lights or dye.  We even have stuff happening in our own city:

-        Yesterday the School of Public Health offered a screening of a documentary called “Sounding the Alarm” about families affected by autism

-        Today at 4:30 pm, Autism Academy staff will turn the Five Points Fountain blue!

-        Today is the annual walk from Autism Academy to the State House to meet with S.C. Legislators about autism insurance policy reform

-        Tomorrow, Autism Academy is hosting a carnival-type celebration, and then a “Color Me Blue Fun Run.”  The run happens at night and will be “lit up in blue.”  The walk goes to the Governor’s Mansion, which will be lit up in blue as well.

-        S.C. Autism Society has its annual conference and Strides for Autism Walk this month

-        Many local restaurants are participating in fundraisers for autism benefits

For more information, visit http://autismacademyofsc.org/light-it-up-blue/(Autism Academy of S.C.), http://scautism.org/news/ (S.C. Autism Society), and https://www.autismspeaks.org/ (Autism Speaks).