2017 Hopes and Dreams Conference Registration Now Open!

We are extremely excited to offer a full day pre-conference Wrightslaw Training on Thursday. Thursday, January 26 & Friday, January 27, 2017
First Baptist Church of Lexington

Followed by a full day of breakout sessions on Friday, including (but not limited to) workshops centered around:

• Student Directed IEPs
• Supported Decision Making
• ADHD and school assistance
• Resources
• Medicaid / TEFRA
• Assisted Technology in Schools
• Financial Planning
• Pediatric Feeding Issues
• Advocacy
• Autism and school assistance
• Behavior and Preschool / School Inclusion

CEUs are available.
 
                                   SPACES ARE LIMITED! RESERVE YOUR SEAT ASAP!
  
                                         For information on Registration: click here 

SC Assistive Technology Exchange

Help us spread the word about the Exchange!

The South Carolina Assistive Technology Exchange is an online recycling database that helps people with disabilities find affordable assistive technology devices and equipment. The Exchange is designed to facilitate transactions between South Carolinians. The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP), does not profit from the sale of listed devices.

To register for the SC Assistive Technology Exchange, go to http://www.scatpexchange.net/register.php, complete the page, and sign the disclaimer form. You can register even if you don't have items to immediately sell, give, or find. A password will be generated and you'll be in the system. If you don't have email, you can call SCATP at 803-935-5273 to have your account information entered for you. Items can be viewed without registering, but you need to register to list or get equipment.

Those with equipment no longer needed can list all available devices for use in education, employment, and community living environments, and connect with people interested in finding these resources. If your agency has equipment that no one is using, feel free to list that equipment on the SC AT Exchange.

Click here for more information.

6th Annual Shuck-A-Rama

You’re Invited!

Click here for more information.

2017 SC Assistive Technology Expo

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
NO PRE-REGISTRATION NECESSARY

Mark your calendars! 

The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program Expo is returning for another exciting year! Come see what's new in assistive technology and listen to free presentations by great speakers.

When and Where?

Wednesday, March 22, 2017 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Ctr.
1101 Lincoln St., Columbia, SC 29201

 Download the 2017 AT Expo Flyer (PDF).

Download the Large Print 2017 AT Expo Flyer (PDF). 

For more information, click here.

Introduction to Sign Language

An Introduction to Sign Language for Parents and Professionals

 

Date: 

Friday January 13^th, 2017

Time: 

10:00-11:30

Location: 

Poplar Conference Room 

SC Assistive Technology Program

Cost: 

$15

Limit: 

15 participants
 

Registration

 

Description:
 

This is an introduction to sign language workshop. It covers 25 single signs, the manual alphabet, and numbers 1-10. Participants will learn and practice the signs and learn tips for teaching signs to children. It also covers how sign language can encourage speech and language development, enhance overall communication and reduce frustration for children who are not yet able to effectively communicate using speech.

 

Presenter:
 

Jill Eversmann is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with 30 years of experience and is a Signing Time instructor. In addition to working in early intervention, she teaches sign language workshops for parents and professionals and is a national speaker with Cross Country Education. She loves working with young children and their families, teaching sign language and sharing the many benefits signing can offer to preverbal and non-verbal children, children with hearing loss as well as to typically developing children. Jill received her B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from James Madison University and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University. She is ASHA certified and licensed in SC.

 

*Make checks payable to "Jill Eversmann." (Due on date of training.)
*FREE for parents of children with special needs
*FREE for professionals who work with children with special needs

Call for Proposals!

The 2017 Hopes and Dreams Conference is seeking proposals for our 2017 Hopes and Dreams Conference that reflects the best thinking in the field, informed by theory, research, practice and cognizant of issues of inclusion and disabilities.

This annual conference provides an opportunity for professionals, family members and self advocates to learn more about the resources and support available to the special needs community. Family members are also able to connect with professionals who care for children of all ages with various disabilities and long-term healthcare issues. This increased collaboration between parents and professionals sets the stage for all children and individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential.

Visit our Call for Proposals page to learn more about how to submit a proposal.  

SURVEY ENDING SOON: The State of Autism in South Carolina

Survey Closes November 30th!

The South Carolina Autism Society is conducting a survey to assess The State of Autism in South Carolina. This is our most comprehensive evaluation to-date, and will help us determine areas of need statewide.

This survey is designed for Self-Advocates, Family Members, Caregivers, Professionals, and the Community. Your responses will help us determine where to focus our efforts for new projects in the months to come.

Data will be compiled and may be used as evidence of need when applying for grants or other funding. No information identifying any individual will be tracked or shared. The SC Autism Society does not sell any data, personal or otherwise.

Please click here to complete the survey now if you have not already done so!

Should you have any questions, please email Susan Leiby at SusanL@scautism.org.

Autism Speaks Grant for iPads

Autism Speaks is thrilled to announce that this year, 685 iPad Airs will be awarded to financially disadvantaged people with autism. The application is now open!

Eligible applicants are individuals who:
• Have been diagnosed with autism by a licensed professional
• Reside in the United States
• Have limited income and cannot afford to purchase an iPad.

The timeline is below:
• November 7: Online application opens at 6:00 a.m. EST
• November 11: Application closes at 11:59 p.m. EST
• November 15 - December 9: Review committee selects recipients
• December 15: Recipients announced and iPads sent out!

Applications must be submitted by the person with autism, an immediate family member of the person with autism, or a licensed social worker or therapist. The Technology Grant Review Committee will review applications and select the iPad award recipients. All applicants selected to receive an iPad Air will be contacted by December 15. If selected, the iPad will be shipped via UPS directly to the address provided with the application. Others will receive an email informing them of their status.

Application

You must create a login and further instructions will be provided.

Questions? Contact us at ipads@autismspeaks.org. Please note that emails will take up to 12 hours to receive a response, but every email will be answered! Also, we cannot accept applications from outside the United States.

*This year’s iPad program was generously funded by the proceeds from GameStop’s April in-store donation campaign.* 

Donate

Free Assistive Technology Webinars

 Free Assistive Technology Webinars

Free Webinars - General, Adult, and All Ages
 
5 New Accessibility Features in iOS 10 from AbleNet
11/1/2016 at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern

Best Practices for More Accessible Social Media from the Nat. Ctr. on AEM
11/9/2016 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

Implementing Accessible Workplace Tech: Creating Accessible Tables for the Web from PEAT on 11/9/2016 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

Tools to Enable Authors Creat ePub Documents from EASI (Date not posted yet,)

Accessibility Features in Mobile Devices – What Is New in iOS and Android? from AbleNet on 11/29/2106 at 11am Pacific, 3pm Eastern

Free Webinars -  K-12 Educators & Parents
 
iCATER has short (10-20 min.) webinars held at 1pm Pacific, 4pm Eastern. (No need to pre-register.)

     • Chrome – Snap and Read Universal (11/2)
     • iPad - Sounding Board (11/09)
     • Chrome – Science Bits (11/16)
     • iPad – 30/30 (11/30)

Apps and AT to Support Executive Functioning from AbleNet
11/10/2016 at 1:30pm Pacific, 4:30pm Eastern

SETC is back with webinars at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern:

     • AAC Considerations for Students with Multiple Disabilities -  Nov. 1, 2016
     • ThingLink and Padlet (free tools) -  November 2,2016
     • Tech for Writing: Speech Recognition -  November 2
     • Let’s RAAP With Kids: Read, Ask, Answer, Prompt -  November 7
     • Google Chrome Reading & Writing tools -  November 8
     • Let’s Explore Sway.com -  November 9
     • Snap&Read -  November 28
     • Office 365 in Education -  November 29
     • Intro to OneNote & Learning Tools -  November 30
     • Co:Writer -  December 5

Recently Recorded Webinars

From Center on Technology and Disabilities

     • Innovations in STEM Education: Technology to Support Students with Autism
     • 3-D Printing in Education: Building New Pathways for Learning
     • Supporting Students with Dyslexia: Standards, Accommodations, and Strategies

Short 10-20 min. lessons from iCATER on YouTube 

     • FlipWriter
     • Verbally
     • Mod Math
     • Extensity on Chrome
     • Blindfold Games for iPad

Speaking the Same Language: Making Closed Captioning Work from ADAOnline

Free AT Tools for Transition to College Training

                                                AT Tools for Transition to College

Date: November 3, 2016
Time: 9:30-11:30 am
Presenter: Sara McKay
Cost: Free
Location: Poplar Building Conference Room

Registration

Are your juniors and seniors ready for college? Don’t let the time to plan and prepare for this transition slip away! This workshop will present useful tools for note taking, reading, writing, collaborative work, and studying. Participants can bring these tools back to students, giving them the time to practice and become proficient with them while they are still in high school. Imagine students entering college with a stronger sense of confidence!

Come See This Important Film!

 October 27, 2016
5:30 - 7:00 pm

Sign up today, this event will sell out!
Free Popcorn for Movie Goers!

In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Able South Carolina will be screening Bottom Dollars, a Rooted in Rights original documentary. Bottom Dollars exposes the exploitation of nearly 250,000 people with disabilities in the U.S. that are legally being paid less than the minimum wage, on average, less than $2 an hour.

The goal of Bottom Dollars is to empower advocates and policymakers looking at the needs of workers to start focusing on giving workers with disabilities the basic protection of a minimum wage.

Please register to join us for this important screening.

TWO LOCATIONS
 
Greer City Hall
301 East Poinsett St
Greer, SC 29651
Click here to register for the GREER location. 

Able SC - Columbia
136 Stonemark Ln, Ste100
Columbia, SC 29210
Click here to register for the COLUMBIA location.

Are you a person with a disability affected by Hurricane Matthew?

Hurricane Matthew Survivors with Disabilities

Are you a survivor of Hurricane Matthew with a disability living in South Carolina? 

If so, The University of South Carolina needs your input regarding your experiences during the Hurricane Matthew and the subsequent flooding. The information collected will not be identifiable and will be used to enhance South Carolina’s emergency response services for persons with disabilities during and after a crisis.

COMPLETE SURVEY HERE:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCHurricaneDisability

If you have any questions or if you would like assistance (ie. have the survey read to you, alternative format, etc.) completing the survey, please contact Dr. Robert Dawson at 803-386-1711 or email at crisisawareness@gmail.com.

Exciting Assistive Technology Training Opportunity!

Trash to AT Treasures

 
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Time: 9:00am - Noon
Location: SC Assistive Technology Resource Center, Poplar Building, Midlands Center, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC
Presenter: Jacqueline Wynter, Occupational Therapist

To register for this workshop:
Complete the Trash to AT Treasures online registration form. 

Description: Assistive technology devices can be very expensive, but don't always have to be. Examples of how to make assistive technology devices using common objects around the home will be demonstrated. The fundamentals of appropriately selecting and the functional use of various assistive technology devices will be reviewed. The workshop will conclude with a make-and-take opportunity for participants to choose from different projects to construct and keep. New this year is a sock aid, iPad stand, iPad access bar, and finger spacer for improving writing skills. 

Jacqueline Wynter is an occupational therapist with over sixteen years' experience serving diverse populations. She received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Utica College of Syracuse University and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from A. T. Still University. Jacqueline is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and has a passion for assistive technology and using it to improve function and performance.

This workshop has a maximum of 12 participants.

Cost: $15.00, payable to the University of South Carolina.

Bring your checks or purchase orders to the workshop or send to:
 
Lydia Durham
SC Assistive Technology Program
USC Center for Disability Resources
Columbia, SC 29208

Are You Ready to be a Leader?

Discover the Leader in You!

People with disabilities can affect change in our local communities through active participation on boards, committees, and councils that impact transportation, education, employment, healthcare, or accessibility services. These sessions will give you the tools and resources necessary to effectually participate in a leadership role, including information regarding professional dress, ethical and legal responsibilities, and Robert's Rules of Order.

The academy consists of six (6) sessions either online or in-person. These sessions will broaden your leadership skills so that you can make a positive transformation in your community. Some of the sessions include:

• Community Leadership
• Functions of a Nonprofit Board
• Government Committees and Councils
• Networking Skills
• Hands on Skills Practice

In-person sessions:
Monday's - October 31 - December 5 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
(Able SC Midlands Office)

Online sessions:
Tuesday's - November 1 - December 6 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

To Register:
Contact Dori Tempio
803-779-5121 or 800-681-6805
TTY:  803-779-0949
Email: dtempio@able-sc.org

Please make reasonable accommodation requests for these events a week in advance.