Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Free Assistive Technology Training -- Osmo!

Assistive Technology Logo

Tactile Learning with Innovative Technology
with 

OSMO logo


Date: January 17, 2019
Time: One Hour Training Sessions Start Times: 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm
Cost: Free
Location: SCATP Poplar Building Conference Room, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC 29203
Limit: 6 people per 1 hour session
 

Registration

Osmo Learning Systems will help students foster understanding of counting, develop foundational skills surrounding letter recognition and decoding, spatial reasoning, hand-eye coordination and critical thinking.

Training Objective – Train teachers how to blend tech and tangible learning in the classroom.
 

Presenter: Trish Johnson has over 20 years’ experience in education and software sales. She is the Southeast Territory Manager for TangiblePlay. She has a passion for helping educators integrate technology into their classroom with cross curricular products.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Free Items!

Assistive Technology logo
Season’s Greetings
from SCATP!
Check out some of the items we have available for FREE through our reuse service.  Each item is linked to a website (if available) that provides additional details.

If you have questions or want to pick up an item, please email Alli Upchurch or call (803)-935-5273.

Head Pointer

 

Scooter

 

Shower Chair

 

Shower chair

 

Toilet rail

 

Adaptive car seat
Weight limit 25-130 pounds
Maximum height 66 inches
Adaptive car seat


Commode

 

Rifton Supine Stander, Small
Model E40
Weight limit 100 pounds
For children 30-50 inches tall
Stander

 

Rifton Pacer gait trainer-medium
Model K502
Weight limit 150 pounds
Standing elbow height of 24 to 34 inches
Pacer


 

Don’t see what you are looking for? Check out the new and improved AT Exchange!

Monday, December 17, 2018

'Tis the Season for Holiday Parties!

Empower Hour logo

Holiday Party Empower Hour!

'Tis the season for holiday parties! You're invited to the Able SC Empower Hour holiday party at our Greenville office. We hope you'll join us for our December Empower Hour, an evening of peer-supported holiday fun!

If you'd like to participate in our annual gift exchange, please bring a $5 gift. If you can't bring a gift, there will still be snacks, games, and fun for everyone. 

Empower Hour
Thursday, December 20 · 4:00 PM
Able SC - Greenville
135 Edinburgh Ct. Suite 101
Greenville, SC 29607

Able SC staff photo
 Able South Carolina staff dressed in festive holiday attire.

Able South Carolina offers Empower Hour, a monthly peer networking group for individuals with all types of disabilities. Our Empower Hour is led by your peers and meets to discuss the meaning of independence, share resources, find social opportunities, and provide support and encouragement to each other. Empower Hour is a great opportunity to connect with others and meet new friends. 
 
Have questions? 
Contact Chris Sparrow at csparrow@able-sc.org.  

  

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

SC Transition News & Events

TASC logo

Season's Greetings!

Everyone here at TASC would like to wish you 
a safe and happy holiday season!

Project Impact 2019 screen capture

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Free Adapted Toys!

Assistive Technology logo
Free Adapted Toys!

SCATP staff and students from Rich/Lex School District created CD switches, brought in battery-operated toys and adapted them for switch use. These switch-operated toys are now available for FREE for families that need them! Each toy comes with a CD switch. Toys are first come, first served. If you have a child that needs an adapted toy, please call Alli Upchurch at 803-935-5273. The toys we have are pictured below.

 Tan Tiger
Stuffed tiger

Mickey Mouse that plays peek-a-boo
Mickey Mouse

Minnie Mouse
Minnie Mouse

Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse

Dancing Dog 
Stuffed dog

Singing Bear 
Stuffed bear

Elephant that vibrates
Stuffed elephant

Monday, December 10, 2018

Only 5 Days Left to get Health Insurance through the Marketplace!

Man in wheelchair sign

The clock is ticking!

This is the last week to sign up for health insurance in South Carolina! Go to healthcare.gov to make sure you and your loved ones will start 2019 with the coverage you need. 

If you need help with signing up, call the Palmetto Project at 1-888-998-4646 or go to Insure SC for more information. 





Our mailing address is:
Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road
Suite 106
Columbia, SC 29210

Tuesday, December 04, 2018

Exciting News from the SC Spinal Cord Injury Association!


Guess what?
We have big news!

 
We are so excited to announce a new program we are implementing in South Carolina middle schools starting in January 2019.  Thanks to a grant we received from SC Vocational Rehabilitation, the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association will be starting a program centered on teaching eighth graders with all levels of disabilities about self-advocacy.  According to the U.S. Department of Education:

"The attitude and self-advocacy skills of students with disabilities may be two of the most important factors in determining their success or failure in post-secondary education."
 
The purpose of the program is to teach students these much needed self-advocacy skills through curriculum centered on the students themselves.  We will be teaching on topics ranging from disability awareness and disclosure, learning to self-advocate, communication, listening, & leadership skills, goal setting and how to prepare for the future.  Our mission at the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association is to build connections in the community through education, awareness, and peer support.  We believe this program supports that mission, and we are so excited to start our work on it.


We would also like to welcome a new member of our staff, Kelly Smith.  Kelly will be facilitating the program in the classrooms as our Transition Coordinator.
 
She attended the University of South Carolina and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education.  After graduation, Kelly began teaching art at the elementary level.  She later attended Winthrop University where she earned a Masters of Fine Art in Art Education.  She has 13 years of teaching experience.
Please help us in welcoming her to the team!

If you have questions or are interested in finding out more about the program, please click here.

Monday, December 03, 2018

Free Webinars on Assistive Technology


compiles this listing of free webinars from around the Web! 

Follow the ATC Facebook page for late additions.
 
Free webinars from around the web
  
You will find 9 free webinars for December. (1 hour unless noted - may require pre-registration.)

Using Smartphones, Watches, and Wearables to Support Executive Function for All Ages from PACER
December 3 at 2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern (90 min.)

Switch Access to AAC Apps from SETC (K-12)
December 4 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern

Serving Customers with Disabilities: A Toolkit from Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
December 4 from 9:30AM Pacific, 12:30PM Eastern (30 min.)

Accessibility and Compliance: How to Measure Digital Accessibility from deque
December 11 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern

Creating an Inclusive Work Environment Through the Use of Mainstream Technologies from AbleNet
December 12 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

Chromebook Accessibility Features from SETC
December 12 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern

RAAP Strategy for Communication via Shared Reading from SETC (K-12)
December 13 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

How Does Cortical Visual Impairment Impact Access? from AbleNet (preK-12)
December 18 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

All Things QIAT! From QIAT (Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology)
December 18 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern (90 min.)

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Speak Up. Impact Health. Create Change.


Speak Up. Have Impact. Create Change.

You are invited to participate in a survey about food and physical activity. The University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health and community partners are working to make sure everyone in Columbia, SC has access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity.
 
You can help guide new ways we can make healthy eating and physical activity more accessible for you and others in the community! Please help us in the planning process by taking this short survey.
 

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Holiday Events of Family Connection


Celebrate the holidays 
at regional parties, events
 Several events are planned throughout the state for children and families, 
thanks to the efforts of our staff, partners and sponsors.

Just find the event closest to you.


Family Connection North Pole Carnival
Noon - 2 p.m., Saturday, December 1
New Life Christian Outreach
411 Highway 601, Lugoff, SC 29078
Holiday fun for children and adults with special needs and their families and caregivers. Enjoy food, holiday treats, games, prizes, crafts and Santa. 
If possible, please RSVP to Sherry Larson with number attending, but RSVP is NOT required and all are welcome! Provided by New Life Christian Outreach.
 
Family Connection Breakfast with Santa
9 – 11 a.m. Saturday, December 8
First ARP Church, 201 E. White St., Rock Hill, SC 29730
 
Holiday social for families of children with special healthcare needs offered in a sensory friendly environment. Free event with arts, crafts, food, hot chocolate bar and more. Bring your camera for a picture with Santa!
To RSVP, call (803) 451-6202 or email Cindy Tomlinson.  

Cookies with Santa
10 a.m. to Noon, Sunday, December 9
The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, 25 Ann St., Charleston, SC 29403
 
Visit with Santa at the greatest place to play in town! Join us at The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry for drinks, baked goods, crafts, a visit with Santa and lots of time to play! Please bring your camera for pictures with Santa.
Online Registration is required for this event, which is very popular and will fill quickly. You may register at:
10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Click here to register.
11 a.m. – Noon: Click here to register. 
Please contact Letiandrea Hinton for more information.  

Family Connection Holiday Party
2 - 4 p.m., Sunday, December 9
Brookland United Methodist Church, 541 Meeting St., West Columbia 29169
 
Children and adults with special needs and their families can enjoy holiday fun with other families. The event features crafts, music, activities, a photo booth, finger foods, holiday treats, cookie decorating, Santa and more.
If possible, please RSVP to Sherry Larson with number attending, but RSVP is not required and all are welcome! 
Provided by: Junior League of Columbia, SC BabyNet, Bright Start, Step Ahead, Beyond EI, Brookland UMC and Family Connection of SC 

Family Connection Holiday Party
1 - 3 p.m., Saturday, December 15
New Ebenezer Baptist Church Recreational and Enrichment Center
312 S Ravenel Street, Florence 29506
 
Children and adults with special needs and their families can enjoy holiday fun with other families in the Pee Dee. Enjoy snacks, drinks, holiday treats, Santa and more! Bring your camera, there will be lots of great photo opportunities! 

Supper with Santa
6-8 p.m., Thursday, December 20
Kingstree First Assembly of God, 872 Sumter Hwy, Kingstree SC 29556
 
Children and adults with special needs and their families can enjoy holiday fun with other families. Enjoy food, fun, activities and a visit with Santa.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Is Stress Building Up?


November Empower Hour 


Stress Reduction and Mindfulness
Thursday, November 29, 2018
4:00-5:00 PM

Columbia Office
720 Gracern Rd. Suite 106
Columbia, SC 29210

Greenville Office
135 Edinburgh Ct. Suite 101
Greenville, SC 29607

Able South Carolina offers peer networking groups for individuals with all types of disabilities. Our Empower Hour is led by your peers and meets to discuss the meaning of independence, share resources, find social opportunities, and provide support and encouragement to each other.

Empower Hour is a great opportunity to connect with others and meet new friends! This month we'll be learning skills and techniques you can use when you are feeling stressed out.  Participants will also learn how to meditate, and use meditation in their daily lives.
 
To make a request for accommodation based upon disability, please call us at 800-681-6805 a week before the event. Our office locations are accessible and served by public transportation.   
 
 

Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road
Suite 106
Columbia, SC 29210


Tuesday, November 20, 2018

News & Tips from Family Connection


Thanks for Being Rock Stars!


More than 2,300 people celebrated 97 Special Buddies at the 19th annual Columbia Buddy Walk on October 21 at Saluda Shoals Park. The event raises awareness while promoting acceptance and inclusion of those with Down syndrome.  



Take steps to ensure safe sleep for babies



Why are we still talking about this issue?
Because each year, about 3,500 infants die unexpectedly during sleep from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or accidental suffocation. The rates of accidental trauma and injuries due to unsafe sleep environments/bed-sharing is increasing. From 2010-2017 in Greenville County alone, 60 infants died due to SUID – accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. (Source: South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative SCDHHS 2017)
 

Blue Ribbon Schools Named

South Carolina Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman recently announced that five South Carolina schools were recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

The five South Carolina schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools are:
  • Beech Hill Elementary School, Dorchester County School District 2, Summerville
  • Fort Mill High School, York School District 4, Fort Mill
  • Mount Lebanon Elementary School, Anderson School District 4, Pendleton
  • Tigerville Elementary School, Greenville County School District, Taylors
  • York Preparatory Academy, South Carolina Public Charter School District, Rock Hill
“I am so proud of our schools that have been recognized nationally for their academic excellence,” said State Superintendent Molly Spearman.

IEP or 504?
Learn more about 504s

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that requires schools to serve the educational needs of eligible students with disabilities. If your child is eligible for special education services, you’ll work with a school team to develop an IEP.
 
Other students qualify for a 504 Plan. This plan ensures that a child with a disability identified under the law receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment.
 

Developmental Screenings are key

Every parent wants to raise a healthy, happy child. Because children grow and learn on their own time tables, it can be hard to know if your child is behind in certain areas of development. Monitoring and being aware of your child’s progress is the best way to ensure he reaches his full potential in the early years of development and as he journeys through life.

A Developmental Screening is a brief standardized tool to help identify children at risk of a developmental disability. It is administered in the medical home or by trained providers and teachers in some day cares or early learning centers.



Ready to serve you! 
Did you know that Family Connection has Family Engagement Managers statewide who are trained and ready to provide support and resources?
 
Need help navigating the education system and seeking services or accommodations for your child? We can help!

Questions about insurance or medical care?

Our healthcare coordinators can help with insurance and Medicaid questions and applications, as well provide assistance on navigating healthcare systems, such as: Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers, TEFRA, appeals, managed care information, finding a doctor or finding a medical home.






 

Monday, November 19, 2018

More Free Items from the SC Assistive Technology Program!


Amplified phones and other daily living items…all for FREE!
 Each item has a link to more information (if available). 
   





for iPad 2, 3, or 4

  

 Gait trainer
Rifton K527
weight capacity 150 pounds



  If you have questions or want to pick up an item, please email me, 
Alli Upchurch, or call 803-935-5273.

Don’t see what you are looking for? 
Check out the AT Exchange!