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.
