Join us for the 25th Annual AT Expo 2018!

 Mark your calendar!

 You are invited to join us at the  

25th Annual SC Assistive Technology Expo 2018

Tuesday, March 6, 2018
8:30 am – 9:30 am Registration and Exhibit Hall Open
9:30 am – 4 pm Classes

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
1101 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 796-7525

Cost: Free and Open to the Public

Come see what's new in assistive technology and attend presentations about assistive technology and its use. It’s the only event of its kind in South Carolina.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

It's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week!

 

Happy National Eating Disorders

Awareness Week!

#NEDAwareness

Together, we'll bust the myths about eating disorders and get life-saving resources into the hands of those in need. Join the conversation on social media and become an official partner today!

 



 

Join the Conversation

Do You Need a Reality Check? - Take the NEDAwareness Quiz!

 

Our fun, Buzzfeed-style quiz opens up the conversation about eating disorders and encourages us to share our unique perspectives on food and body image issues. Find out what other people are saying and spread the word!

 

TAKE THE QUIZ

  

Snap, Share, & Inspire on Instagram!

 

Our #NEDAwareness Instagram campaign will highlight the importance of connection and community in recovery. Getting involved is easy: create the NEDA symbol (using your hands, artwork, tattoos, etc.) and share why you’re choosing to break the silence around eating disorders. Then, tag the friends who have inspired you to live authentically! Remember to use #NEDAwareness in every post!

 

LEARN MORE

Save the Dates for Our NEDAwareness Twitter Chats!

 

This #NEDAwareness Week, we invite you to join the conversation on Twitter!

- Our Marginalized Voices chat on February 27 from 3-4pm ET will center the perspectives of communities that have been traditionally marginalized in the eating disorders field.

 

- Our Body Image chat on March 1 from 2-3pm ET will bust myths and share resources about issues related to body image, food, and exercise.
Follow @nedastaff and #NEDAwareness for chat updates and announcements!

 

GET SOCIAL    

 

 

   

Registration OPEN for 2018 Hopes & Dreams Conference!

 

Monday, March 19 & Tuesday, March 20
The River Center at Saluda Shoals Park

Click here to register.

The 2018 Hopes & Dreams conference on Monday, March 19 and Tuesday, March 20 will feature keynotes and breakout sessions geared to parents and caregivers and the professionals who serve them. Don’t miss this chance to learn more and collaborate to better meet the needs of those with disabilities and special healthcare needs.

Monday’s keynote panel – Resilience in Action – will feature Master Sergeant Walter J. McDaniels and Deputy Jamel Bradley of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department along with Andy Broughton of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice INSIDERS program. The panel will provide the audience with a qualitative approach to understand the effects of toxic trauma.

Dr. Sandy Magaña will discuss the development of a culturally based approach to addressing the informational needs of Latino parents as Tuesday’s keynote speaker. Latinos represent the fastest growing population in the U.S., and Latino children are one of the fastest growing populations with Autism. Dr. Magaña holds the Professorship in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin. Her research focus is on the cultural context of families who care for persons with disabilities across the life course. Speaker sponsored by the Developmental Disability Council.
 

Each day will also feature

three 75-minute breakout sessions,

with several options for each.

 

CEUs ARE available.
 
Space is limited. Please register and encourage others to do so now!
 

SC Transition News & Events

 





 March 19th-20th



The River Center at Saluda Shoals Park

 The 2018 Hopes & Dreams conference on Monday, March 19th and Tuesday, March 20th will feature keynotes and breakout sessions geared to parents and caregivers and the professionals who serve them. Don’t miss this chance to learn more and collaborate to better meet the needs of those with disabilities and special healthcare needs.

 

Click here to register. 

 March 27th



 Click here to register.

Spring 2018

Able SC is excited to announce Spring 2018 class visit openings in the upstate for students in transition in two new schools/districts. Choose from a six session curriculum on self-advocacy skill building or work readiness skill building, and all that’s left is scheduling the visits between now and the end of the school year.

 

For more information or to get involved,

email Paige Maxwell at pmaxwell@able-sc.org



 

 

September 30th-October 2nd

 



Free Webinar - Motivation with Universal Design for Learning using Kurzweil 3000

Free Webinar!

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

10am (EST)

 

 Motivation with Universal Design 

for Learning using Kurzweil 3000

(Reading, Writing, and Learning Software for students – 

integrated solution for addressing language and literacy difficulties)

Join the Meeting: join.me/kurzweiledu

To Dial in by Phone:
+1.404.400.8750

Conference ID:
244-074-538 #

Public Notice: Proposed Renewal of the HASCI Waiver

 

PUBLIC NOTICE

Subject:

Proposed Renewal of the

Head and Spinal Cord Injury Waiver

 

 (Note: All comments must be received by March 18, 2018.)

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of its intent to renew the Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Waiver for an additional five years. The waiver renewal request will be submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on or before March 30, 2018. The requested effective date of the HASCI Waiver renewal is July 1, 2018.

The renewal request contains the following proposed changes:

• Updates addressing HCBS Final Rule requirements.
• Exceptions to service limits in special circumstances to prevent institutionalization.
• Additional reserve capacity for military personnel (per state legislation) and individuals being discharged from nursing homes.
• Removal of the prescription drug benefit.
• Separation of the consultation portions of the Vehicle Modification and Assistive Technology Services from the actual provision of these services (per CMS direction).
• Addition of pest control and bed bug treatment services.
• Revision to the Level of Care Criteria
• Updates to the Quality Performance Measures.

A copy of the public notice and a draft version of the updated waiver document is available for public review at the following locations:

• SCDHHS front lobby - 1801 Main Street, Columbia, SC
• All SCDHHS Healthy Connections Medicaid county offices
• SCDHHS website: www.scdhhs.gov
• South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs website: www.ddsn.sc.gov
• Family Connection of South Carolina website: www.familyconnectionsc.org
• South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council: www.scddc.state.sc.us
• Brain Injury Association of South Carolina: www.biaofsc.com

Comments may also be submitted by sending an email to comments@scdhhs.gov

     Written comments may be sent to:
        ATTN: Jennifer Robinson
        South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
        Division of Community Options
        Post Office Box 8206
        Columbia, SC 29202-8206

 

            All comments must be received by March 18, 2018.

Happy Valentine's DAY!❤

 

 

❤From❤BIASC❤

 

 

Brain Injury Association of South Carolina
121 Executive Center Drive, Suite 135
Columbia, South Carolina , 29210
Telephone: 803-731-9823


Impact SC Conference!

Click here for more information on Impact SC!

Are you ready to Map Out Your Future?

There's just one week left to register!

Calling all young adults with disabilities and their families!

What happens when you leave high school without knowing about the services and supports that are available to help you reach your goals? 

 You attend the afternoon session of 

Mapping Your Future!

Click here to Register Now! 

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Saluda Shoals River Center
5605 Bush River Rd.
Columbia, SC 29212

9:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

IT'S FREE!

Come hear a keynote address from Ari Ne'eman, co-founder of The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network. Parents will hear from local community providers about rights and resources and youth will connect with their peers for tips on how to set and reach their transition goals.

This year's conference has something for everyone!

Here's what last year's participants had to say:
"Short breakout sessions allowed for movement! Valuable and informational sessions! Great access to agencies."
"This was fantastic! I am very impressed! There is so much I don't know. I walked away with so many resources - invaluable!"
 

Upcoming Trainings

Free Webinars -  Adults and Transition-Aged

Assistive Technology for People with Brain Injury from MaineCITE
February 8, 2018 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern (90 minutes)

Emerging Workplace Technologies and Vision Loss from PEAT Talks
February 15, 2018 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

Intro to Accessibility: What Employers Need to Know to Create a Technology-Accessible Workplace from AskEarn
February 22, 2018 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern

________________________________________
Free Webinars -  K-12

Harnessing the Power of Google: Chrome Extensions for Reading, Writing, and Organization from PACER
February 15, 2018 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

Assistive Technology Tools for Writing from CTD
February 20, 2018 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern

Study Skills 1: Research and Note-taking Skills from CTD
March 1, 2018 at 9:30am Pacific, 12:30pm Eastern

SETC webinars are at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern, except the first.

February 5: AT Chatter: Early Learning  (11:30am Pacific, 2:30pm Eastern)
February 9: Switch Access to AAC Apps
February 12: UDL: Engage, Access, & Achieve
February 13: AAC for Students with Multiple Disabilities
February 22: Learning Ally: Audiobooks & Audio Resources
February 26: eBook Creation
February 27: Creating Recipes in iOS Switch Control
 
________________________________________
You may have missed:

Inclusive PDFs by Design from CAST

AT Podcasts on a variety of unusual topics from EasterSeals indata project

The great monthly newsletter from WebAIM on web access

Cheatsheets for accessibility to Word and Powerpoint 2016 from NCDAE

Also:

The National Disability Rights Network seeks people with disabilities to participate in online Focus Groups on the Enforcement of Federal Disability Rights Law to be held on February 20 and March 7, 2018.
 
________________________________________
The ATC website is a great resource for articles, videos, and AT news.

It's Our Birthday!

 

IT'S OUR BIRTHDAY!

 

Twenty-four years ago today, a group of individuals with disabilities established our organization. For the last 24 years we have been a change agent committed to fostering an inclusive society that empowers South Carolinians with disabilities to live fully-engaged and self-directed lives. We continue to challenge stereotypes, protect disability rights, and break down barriers for South Carolinians with disabilities.

 

The best part, we get to watch people with disabilities reach their independence!

 

 

We are making SC a better place for people with disabilities.

Join us by supporting Able South Carolina and celebrating 24 years!

 

DONATE HERE!

 

 

Able South Carolina

720 Gracern Road

Suite 106

Columbia, SC 29210

 

Able South Carolina is a 501(c)3 not about “helping” people with disabilities, but built on the central concept of self-empowerment. It’s a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross disability nonprofit that provides an array of independent living services.



 

 

News From New Mobility - February 2018

The magazine for active wheelchair users

 

February 2018





NEW ISSUE

 

Sex, Wheels and Relationships

It’s February, and we’ve got a full slate of stories to spice up the long winter months. Regan Linton profiles four couples we love, who speak candidly about their relationships in and out of the bedroom. An excerpt from Ben Mattlin's new book digs into the dynamics of “inter-abled” relationships. Veronica Skye shares an intimate look at how she hid her colostomy from people she dated for half her life before finally opening up about it. And Mitch Tepper has fun checking out the latest in adaptive sex toys.

 

AND THE GRAMMY GOES TO ...
 
Wheelchair User, Guitar Hero: 'Portugal. The Man'

For those of you who like paras on guitar and periods in your band names, have we got the song for you. "Portugal. The Man" just won a Grammy for its hand-tapping, shoulder-shaking, endlessly addictive song “Feel It Still.” Guitarist Eric Howk happens to use a wheelchair and certainly knows how to rock a tune that just makes you want to move.

 

Click here to read the entire February digital edition.

 

 

 

New Mobility is the member publication of United Spinal Association, whose mission is to improve quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. It's free to join United Spinal, and members may receive New Mobility magazine for free. Join here.

Free Training on Rewarding Relationships!

 

Rewarding relationships allow us to express our individuality, bring out the best in those involved, and encourage growth. Join Able SC for this FREE training to learn:

• Traits of healthy relationships with significant others, friends, co-workers, and family

• Myths and facts about sexuality and disability

• Effective communication strategies and how to set boundaries

 

Online: Monday, February 12, 2-3:00 PM

Click here to register.

 

In-person: Tuesday, February 13, 2-3:30 PM
720 Gracern Road, Suite 106, Columbia SC 29210

Click here to register.

 

For questions or accommodation requests,

contact Dori at 800-681-6805/TTY: 803-779-09-49

or dtempio@able-sc.org

 

Please make accommodation requests a week in advance of training date. 

YMCA Spring Spectrum Family Camp! Register Now!

You don’t want to miss YMCA Camp Greenville’s Spectrum Family Camp!  The Spring Camp will take place May 11 – 13, 2018, to coincide with Mother’s Day!  Get away for a family weekend, where the kids will have fun, and everything will be taken care of for the parents!

Spectrum Family Camp is a family camp specifically for families who have a member on the Autism Spectrum.  Enjoy the beauty and adventure of camp with others who understand how amazingly unique and talented we all are in our own different ways.  This Camp is open to all affected families – you do not need to live in Greenville, or even in South Carolina!

Ridgetop Cabin – $310.00 for a cabin, up to 4 people, Additional person $80.00.  To see our cabins click here.

Spectrum Family Camp offers families with children on the autism spectrum a fun and safe environment, with well-trained staff that truly understand kids on the spectrum.  We’ll take care of the details like sensory friendly activities, picture charts for easier transitions, and menus designed to accommodate diets (GF/CF? Covered!) upon advanced request.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO AT FAMILY CAMP?

We provide fun activities for campers of all ages.
• Crafts
• Archery
• Riflery
• Hikes to places like Rainbow Falls
• Animal Center
• Zip Line
• Evening Programs: Campfire & Carnival

The activities listed above are all optional…bring a hammock for reading, visit “Pretty Place” for quiet inspiration or enjoy a leisurely hike around Camp. Your schedule is up to you!

For details and additional information about Spectrum Family Camp,

please contact Marguerite Elmore,

Voice: 864.836.3291 X 107| Fax: 864.836.3140

 

Click here to register online now!

South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum - Applications Now Open!

BIG NEWS!

Applications for the

2018 SC Youth Leadership Forum

are now OPEN!

 

 

If you or someone you know has

a passion for leadership, has a disability, lives in SC, and is 15-23 years old,

check out the South Carolina YLF.

 

Save the Dates:
July 19 – July 22, 2018

 

The SC YLF focuses on hands-on activities that develop leadership skills and promote disability pride. The goal of the forum is to help young adults become strong leaders and advocates. SC YLF is coordinated by Able South Carolina and partnering organizations and funded by the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council.

 

 



Apply Today!

 

Fill Out an Application Here

 

Able South Carolina

720 Gracern Road, Suite 106

Columbia, SC 29210