The magazine for active wheelchair users
Friday, December 20, 2019
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Monday, December 16, 2019
Meet new people and learn to live healthily while getting paid!
Do you want to get paid to take a course on meeting new people, finding helpful resources and learning to live healthily?
If the answer is yes, join us for a 20 week, paid class that covers topics like:
- setting and keeping your goals
- communicating about your health
- eating well
- physical activity
- meeting new people
- finding community resources
- taking control of your life
Who is it for?
The classes are created for people with disabilities who are 18 or older.
When are the classes?
Fridays from 1-3 PM, January 10 - June 5, 2020
Where are the classes?
Able South Carolina Columbia Office: 720 Gracern Road Suite 106, Columbia, SC 29210
For more information or questions,
or 800-681-6805/TTY: 803-779-0949
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
What other teachers have to say
Here at Able SC, we could talk all day about why you should attend Empowering a Future 2020, our annual transition conference for professionals who work with youth with disabilities.
However, you don't have to just take it from us. We'll let other teachers like you do the persuading:
WHEN
February 7, 2020
9 AM - 4 PM
February 7, 2020
9 AM - 4 PM
WHERE
Marriott Columbia
1200 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Marriott Columbia
1200 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road Suite 106
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121
720 Gracern Road Suite 106
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121
Monday, December 09, 2019
Decisions, Decisions: FREE Training on Making Personal Choices!
Do you ever find it hard to make decisions? It could be something easy like what to wear that day, or it could be something harder like eating healthy.
Join us for a free workshop online on December 9 or in-person on December 10. Learn the steps to make a decision, the possible barriers in your way, and how to turn choices into opportunities!
For questions or accommodation requests,
contact Dori at dtempio@able-sc.org
or 800-681-6805/TTY: 803-779-0949
Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road Suite 106
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121
Friday, December 06, 2019
SAVE THE DATE for Advocacy Day 2020!
Join us in unlocking barriers for all people with disabilities.
People with disabilities face unnecessary and discriminatory barriers to transportation, employment, and public access. Advocacy Day for Access and Independence, our annual gathering at the Statehouse, takes advocacy to the streets and the statehouse steps to fight for the rights of the disability community in South Carolina.
2020 is gearing up to be a pivotal year for disability rights—for the elections, for the census, and for the 30th anniversary of the ADA. There is power in numbers, so join us on April 1st and let's use this energy to further unlocking these barriers!
SAVE THE DATE:
April 1, 2020
9 AM - 12:30 PM
SC Statehouse Steps
Attendance is free but registration is required.
Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road Suite 106
720 Gracern Road Suite 106
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121
803.779.5121
Thursday, December 05, 2019
Announcing Empowering a Future 2020!
Empowering a Future, our annual conference for educators and service providers working with youth with disabilities, is now open for registration! And for 2020, we are revamped with more sessions, tools, and resources than ever before!
Want to learn how to motivate and empower your students? It's time to leave the deficits-based approaches behind and focus on new strategies to build strong, successful self-advocates.
Session content will highlight pre-employment transition services, youth leadership and self-determination, the SC High School Credential, coordinated community-based employment, and much more.
Early bird tickets are $50 dollars
and available until December 31.
After, tickets will increase to $60.
WHEN
February 7, 2020
9 AM - 4:30 PM
February 7, 2020
9 AM - 4:30 PM
WHERE
Marriott Columbia
1200 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road Suite 106
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121
720 Gracern Road Suite 106
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121
Wednesday, December 04, 2019
ACL Listening Session
SAVE THE DATE!
Preparedness, Response, Recovery:
The First Step is Listening
JOIN US FOR AN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY LISTENING SESSION
RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY LISTENING SESSION
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) wants to hear and learn from people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers, about their experiences during emergencies or disasters. We want to learn how you plan, respond, and recover from these emergency situations. Your experiences will help us to understand how we can improve our support, training, and technical assistance in times when emergencies and disasters hit.
WHEN:
Thursday, February 13, 2020
2:30 - 4:30 PM
Thursday, February 13, 2020
2:30 - 4:30 PM
WHERE:South Carolina Vocational
Rehabilitation Department
HR Development Center
1410 Boston Avenue
Rehabilitation Department
HR Development Center
1410 Boston Avenue
Columbia, SC
Light refreshments will be provided.
Tuesday, December 03, 2019
Free Webinars on Assistive Technology
compiles this listing of free webinars
from around the Web!
from around the Web!
AT Webinars
AAC Evaluations from AbleNet
December 4, 2019 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern
Advancing AT Processes: AT in the IEP from SETC
December 9, 2019 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
(Job) Accommodations... Practical Solutions for Complex Needs from JAN
December 10, 2019 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern
Mounts and stand options for assistive technology devices from CallScotland
December 11, 2019 at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern (30 min.)
I Have (an AAC) Device, Now What? from AbleNet
December 11, 2019 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern
Taking Care of Your Home - Technology to Support Household Tasks from PACER
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 — 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST
Skoog, an accessible musical instrument from AT3 Center
Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern
Archived Webinars
- Taking Care of Yourself - Technology to Support Health and Wellness from PACER
- How to Ensure an Inclusive Workplace: A Conversation with a Digital Accessibility Expert from JAN
- Working with Students Using Switches: Collaboration is Key from AbleNet
Monday, December 02, 2019
Your Journey Series is launched!
The first of the Your Journey Series is launched!
Your Child’s Journey Begins
Family Connection of SC is proud to announce the launch of the first in a series of family-centered, family-driven and family developed materials to help parents navigate the journey of parenting.
Your Child’s Journey Begins addresses the questions and needs of families of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Being a parent can be overwhelming and challenging at times, especially if you have concerns about your child's growth, health, development, and learning. Understanding where to go to get the help you need for your child is often confusing.
Family Connection has created a series of online materials, workshops, and resources available for parents and families to help guide you.
Click here for
Your Child's Journey Begins!
Family Information Center
1-800-578-8750
Para Español
1-888-808-7462
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Free pediatric equipment!
Free pediatric equipment available!
Click photos for more information.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the AT Expo on March 3, 2020!
on high-low base
User height 29 inches to 43 inches
Maximum weight 48 pounds
User height 29 inches to 43 inches
Maximum weight 48 pounds
For more information
contact Alli Upchurch at 803-935-5273
Monday, November 25, 2019
Downtown Clemson hotel to employ special needs students
Downtown Clemson hotel to
employ special needs students
By ZOE NICHOLSON
The Greenville News The Associated Press
November 24, 2019 12:01
CLEMSON, S.C.
November 24, 2019 12:01
CLEMSON, S.C.
ClemsonLIFE sophomore David "Tanner" Smith currently works two on-campus jobs — one at Fike Recreation Center and the other in the Division of Undergraduate Studies — but he already has a new job lined up at the Shepherd Hotel, opening Summer 2021.
The Shepherd Hotel will be a five-story boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Clemson. The luxury hotel is replacing the site of the old BB&T office on College Ave.
ClemsonLIFE, the university program for students with intellectual disabilities, is sponsored by the hotel. The hotel will provide ClemsonLIFE students like Tanner with employment opportunities.
Read more here:
Friday, November 22, 2019
Empowering a Future - Save the Date!
Empowering a Future - Save the Date!
Date: February 7th, 2020
Time: Registration begins at 8:15 AM
Conference begins promptly at 9 AM and will conclude at 4:30 PM
Location: Marriott Columbia, 1200 Hampton St, Columbia, SC 29201
Conference begins promptly at 9 AM and will conclude at 4:30 PM
Location: Marriott Columbia, 1200 Hampton St, Columbia, SC 29201
Empowering a Future is a professional development opportunity for professionals serving youth with disabilities in transition, revamped with more tools and resources available to attendees than ever before. Session content will highlight pre-employment transition services, youth leadership, the SC high school credential, coordinated community-based employment, motivational speakers, and much more.
Join us for a
Pre-Conference Disability Rights movie viewing
with Youth Panel and Guided Discussion.
More details to come!
Did You Know?
Free pre-employment transition services
Free pre-employment transition services
are available to your students with disabilities!
Able South Carolina has many youth programs that
provide interactive and engaging lessons
that are led by young professionals
and peers of your students.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Celebrate National Caregivers Month with Supports + Resources!
We're Thankful for Caregivers.
We know that providing care is a full time job, and that's why it's so important that we support our caregivers, and especially give thanks in honor of National Caregivers Month. Everyday we aim to provide information, resources and localized referrals to help our families and friends with autism. How do we do that?
To name a few... In 2018, the Autism Society assisted in the passage of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, which addresses the urgent needs of the over 40 million caregivers in this country; we also had over 5,400 caregivers attend Autism Society support groups last year. Additionally, we answered over 225,000 phone calls, emails, and support inquiries to provide help and guidance for our community's needs.
This month, we've put together resources for caregivers, including policy information, long-term supports & services, and Thanksgiving guides. Click below to learn more.
Affiliates In Action
Programs Focused on Caregivers.
- Autism Society of Oregon's Take a Break Program
- Autism Society Tidewater's Respite Nights
- Autism Society Ventura County‘s Caregiver Resource Guide
- Autism Society of Northern Virginia Parent Support Group
Thanksgiving Tips
The holidays can be overwhelming for anyone - with busy travel days, social gatherings, and new scents and decor filling the home. This Thanksgiving, address you or your loved ones needs by planning ahead for the holiday with sensory-friendly adaptations, favorite food substitutions, and mindful moments to de-stress. Check our resources on the blog.
Monday, November 18, 2019
America Recycles Day-Free equipment available!
Happy America Recycles Day!
SCATP recycles every day with our Reuse service. If you have gently used durable medical equipment available, please contact Alli Upchurch to donate it to get it to someone that needs it!
Feeding tube supplies available for free:
SCATP received a donation of feeding tube supplies. Please click the links below for more information:
If you are in need of any durable medical equipment, please contact Alli Upchurch at 803-935-5273 or alli.upchurch@uscmed.sc.edu to see if we have it!
You can also check out the AT Exchange!
Friday, November 15, 2019
Free AAC Training with CEUs
Basic Programming** for all PRC Devices
Date: November 20, 2019
Time: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
ASHA CEUs: .3
Location: Prisma Health Richland Campus, 2 Medical Park Road, Conference Room, Lower Level, Columbia, SC 29203 (Directions)
**Important: The presenter will be using the new Empower Software. Attendees should bring an Accent device running Empower or download the free Empower demo software from PRC and bring on a laptop for this training. The demo software is available at https://www.prentrom.com/prc-advantage/empower-demo )
This product training focuses on basic programming and operations of any PRC Accent device. The class will start out with an overview of language systems. Then participants will learn how to: choose a vocabulary, change the voice, set the access method, add vocabulary and messages, add photos, temporarily limit vocabulary, disable the toolbox and perform a memory transfer to back up device contents. In addition, participants will learn about basic care, maintenance, resources and support.
A PRC device or laptop is required for this training. Please bring an Accent 800/ 1000/1400 with the most current software version available. Participants can bring a PC laptop computer pre-loaded with Empower demo software for Accent. If you want to use a Mac laptop you will need a Windows emulator with Empower installed. Empower software is not compatible with iPads. This is not an iPad training.
This training is appropriate for SLPs, OTs, ATPs, educators, family members, and others who support individuals who currently use or may need to use PRC devices.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:
- set a vocabulary, voice and access method for an individual.
- customize a vocabulary by adding personalized words and messages.
- perform a memory transfer to back up device contents as well as disable the toolbox.
- name three websites that provide support materials and resources for PRC devices.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Free AAC Training
Let’s Get Talking with AAC
Date: November 20, 2019
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
ASHA CEUs: .2
Location: Prisma Health Richland Campus, 2 Medical Park Road, Conference Room, Lower Level, Columbia, SC 29203 (Directions)
This implementation class will focus on using AAC in the classroom during speaking, reading and writing activities. Participants will learn about the importance of language development and core vocabulary, teaching methods to promote the use of core vocabulary across environments and strategies to engineer the classroom. In addition, participants will learn how to select target vocabulary for classroom activities based on language development principles. Methods for finding and teaching vocabulary will be covered, including icon tutor/word finder, vocabulary builder and write with icons. Finally, attendees will learn how to set up and deliver activities to foster communication. Practical examples and materials will be used throughout the class. The strategies presented will cover a range of communicative abilities and can be applied to a variety of language systems and communication devices.
This training is appropriate for any individual working with students who use communication devices in a classroom setting.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be able to:
- define and give examples of core and fringe vocabulary
- identify one way to engineer the classroom to promote use of core vocabulary
- select appropriate vocabulary to target during speaking, reading and writing activities
- find and create supports for that vocabulary
- set up and deliver activities to foster communication and vocabulary learning
Wednesday, November 06, 2019
Free AAC Training with PRC
Basic Programming** for all PRC Devices
Date: November 20, 2019
Time: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Prisma Health Richland Campus, 2 Medical Park Road, Conference Room, Lower Level, Columbia, SC 29203 (Directions)
**Important: The presenter will be using the new Empower Software. Attendees should bring an Accent device running Empower or download the free Empower demo software from PRC and bring on a laptop for this training. The demo software is available at https://www.prentrom.com/prc-advantage/empower-demo )
This product training focuses on basic programming and operations of any PRC Accent device. The class will start out with an overview of language systems. Then participants will learn how to: choose a vocabulary, change the voice, set the access method, add vocabulary and messages, add photos, temporarily limit vocabulary, disable the toolbox and perform a memory transfer to back up device contents. In addition, participants will learn about basic care, maintenance, resources and support.
A PRC device or laptop is required for this training. Please bring an Accent 800/ 1000/1400 with the most current software version available. Participants can bring a PC laptop computer pre-loaded with Empower demo software for Accent. If you want to use a Mac laptop you will need a Windows emulator with Empower installed. Empower software is not compatible with iPads. This is not an iPad training.
This training is appropriate for SLPs, OTs, ATPs, educators, family members, and others who support individuals who currently use or may need to use PRC devices.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:
- set a vocabulary, voice and access method for an individual.
- customize a vocabulary by adding personalized words and messages.
- perform a memory transfer to back up device contents as well as disable the toolbox.
- name three websites that provide support materials and resources for PRC devices.
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
Free AAC Training with PRC
Let’s Get Talking with AAC
Date: November 20, 2019
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Location: Prisma Health Richland Campus, 2 Medical Park Road, Conference Room, Lower Level, Columbia, SC 29203 (Directions)
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Location: Prisma Health Richland Campus, 2 Medical Park Road, Conference Room, Lower Level, Columbia, SC 29203 (Directions)
This implementation class will focus on using AAC in the classroom during speaking, reading and writing activities. Participants will learn about the importance of language development and core vocabulary, teaching methods to promote the use of core vocabulary across environments and strategies to engineer the classroom. In addition, participants will learn how to select target vocabulary for classroom activities based on language development principles. Methods for finding and teaching vocabulary will be covered, including icon tutor/word finder, vocabulary builder and write with icons. Finally, attendees will learn how to set up and deliver activities to foster communication. Practical examples and materials will be used throughout the class. The strategies presented will cover a range of communicative abilities and can be applied to a variety of language systems and communication devices.
This training is appropriate for any individual working with students who use communication devices in a classroom setting.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- define and give examples of core and fringe vocabulary
- identify one way to engineer the classroom to promote use of core vocabulary
- select appropriate vocabulary to target during speaking, reading and writing activities
- find and create supports for that vocabulary
- set up and deliver activities to foster communication and vocabulary learning
Monday, November 04, 2019
Adapted Toy Project
Adapted Toy Project
December 4, 2019
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
(arrive at any time - no appointments)
SC Assistive Technology Resource Center
Poplar Building, 8301 Farrow Road
Columbia, SC (Directions)
Workshop is FREE,
bring your own toy to adapt
Families, professionals and school staff are invited to bring battery-operated toys (see examples below) to the SC Assistive Technology Resource Center to have the toys adapted for switch use. The toys should have an on/off switch and only one action. An example would be Flappy the Elephant as he only flaps his ears when he is turned on or Robo Alive T-Rex Robotic Pet that only walks when it is turned on. SC Assistive Technology Program staff and occupational therapy students from Lenoir Rhyne University will help you create your own switch to operate the adapted toys. Everyone will leave with their toy adapted for switch use and a switch to operate it.
For more information please call 803-935-5337.
Examples of toys that can be adapted:
- Zoom Tubes Car Trax
- Rusty Rivets – Botasaur
- Rusty Rivets Tiger Bot Build
- Peek-a-boo Teddy Bear Animated Stuffed Animal By Bo Toys
- Animated Plush Peek A Boo Bear, Unicorn, Fox, Dog or Frog Baby Entertainment Laughing Giggling (hippo)
- Cuddle Barn Animated Plush Toy Banana Boat Bruno the Monkey - Sings Day O
- JENSEN MR-550-BK Portable AM/FM Radio (Black)
- O2COOL 5-Inch Battery Operated Clip Fan
- O2COOL 5-Inch Portable Fan, Gray
- Paint Art Spinner
- Bubble Machine
- Bubble Machine-Pink
- Lantern
- LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Torch
- BrightBeats Groove & Glow Beatbo
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