Free webinar on passing legislation for parents with disabilities!

Are you interested in learning about 

the rights of parents with disabilities?

Join us for a free webinar on July 27 at 3 PM! 

Able SC's executive director Kimberly Tissot will speak 

alongside Oregon Senator Sara Gelser on passing state legislation 

to protect parents with disabilities.

REGISTER TO ATTEND!

Ways Able SC can help you during the pandemic

COVID-19 is unfortunately not over yet. Almost every day, South Carolina breaks its record for number of new cases. On Wednesday alone, we had almost 1,300 new cases.

Together, we can fight this. Able SC is here for you. Not only are we still offering all of our traditional services, but we also have a wide variety of COVID-19 specific services and resources available to you.

In need of essential supplies like sanitizer, masks, and toilet paper? We've got you covered. Fill out this quick form to request a COVID-19 kit for you or members of your household: https://bit.ly/covidkitform

Request a COVID Kit!

Other COVID-19 services we offer:

• Help in advocating for yourself and your rights
• Assistance understanding the virus, safety tips, and finding COVID-19 testing sites
• Peer support every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 PM online!
• Guidance on transitioning out of an institution (like a nursing home, hospital, or care facility) into community-based living
• Advocacy to prevent at-risk individuals from being instituionalized
• Connecting individuals with all available resources through Information & Referral.

In need of assistance? 

Give us a call at 803-779-5121 or email us at info@able-sc.org.

COVID-19 Information

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Be a Hero: Wear a Mask!

This Plain Language PSA is intended for youth and people with intellectual/developmental disabilities so that they can understand what masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) are, and why they should be worn to stop the spread of COVID-19:

Life with Brain Injury Virtual Conference Registration

REGISTER NOW!

2020 Life with Brain Injury “Virtual” Conference

Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31, 2020

Via Zoom Webinar

Hosted By:

Sessions:

The True Meaning of Recovery

Brain Injury 101

Financial and Estate Planning

The Basics of the Palmetto ABLE Savings Program

Together We Stand

Cognitive Retraining and Maintenance for Mild Concussion

An Overview of ThinkFirst: Who are we and why do we exist?

KEYNOTE:

Opportunity is Knocking: Get up and Open the Door!

Anne McDonnell, MPA, OTR/L, CBIST

Brain Injury Association of Virginia

Covid-19 Social Stories

The Autism Society recognizes the many added challenges that the autism community faces during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of our staff members, Board of Directors, and affiliate families are experiencing the same hardships for themselves and/or their autistic loved ones.

As states begin reopening, we will continue to provide support resources to help families throughout this transition. The Autism Society is proud to present Covid-19 social narratives, created by the Autism Society of America in collaboration with our professional committees.

DOWNLOAD COVID-19 SOCIAL STORIES TO EXPLAIN CHANGES.

Techie Tuesday is June 23rd

Join SCATP staff for Techie Tuesdays! 

Each week we will have different equipment on hand 

to give virtual demonstrations. 

The next Techie Tuesday will be June 23rd 

and will feature Vision devices. 

To sign up for a time for your personal 

1:1 demonstration for June 23rd 

email Carol Page at carol.page@uscmed.sc.edu . ​

Free Webinar for Reading and Writing Help

ClaroReadPro Webinar

Date: June 25, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cost: Free

Speaker: Mary Wilcox​

REGISTER NOW!

Learn about ClaroReadPro and how it can help students with reading difficulties.  ClaroReadPro offers features like speech recognition, word prediction, spellchecking and more.  Participants will be able to identify students who may benefit from this software program.  Participants are encouraged to share personal experiences with ClaroReadPro during the Q&A session.​

Strategies for Success!

Take Control and Pave the Way 

to an Independent Future for Your Child

myHana and Autism Society of America invite you to join us for “Strategies for Success- Navigating the New “Norm“, a 2 hour expert panel discussion for parents, caregivers and professionals.

Register for June 26th at 8pm EDT

Register for June 27th at 7pm EDT

Register for June 28th at 3pm EDT

Click here for more information!

One way to make your voice count? Take the 2020 Census!

One way for you to take action and make sure that your community, 

and the issues that matter to you, are represented? 

Take the 2020 Census and 

make sure that YOU COUNT!

Here are some important reasons to fill out the Census today: 

Reason 1: The Census impacts your life!

 

Every year, the United States divides over $800 billion dollars in funding. Who needs what and who gets what? The U.S. Census numbers tell the government how to split the money for states to provide important services like transportation, Medicaid, and SNAP.

Reason #2: Your information is safe!

The 2020 Census has no questions related to citizenship, income, or disability. They don’t even want your social security number or banking information. Click here to learn more about what the Census DOES ask.

Reason #3: It is your civic duty!

 

It’s more than a good idea; it’s required by federal laws and the U.S. Constitution. The information you provide to the Census is also protected by federal law. Your information will eventually become public record, but not until 2092!

Take the Census

Note: If you need assistance filling out the Census: you can have someone help you fill it out! This could be an individual you trust such as a family member or trained caregiver, or a staff member here at Able SC, among others. You can also ask for assistance from Census Bureau staff by calling the Census Questionnaire Assistance phone lines available in 13 languages, as well as an English-language line that uses TDD/TTY.

Want an Able SC staff member to help you out?

Call us at 803-779-5121 or 

email us at advocacy@able-sc.org!

Techie Tuesdays!

Join SCATP staff for Techie Tuesdays!

Each week we will have different equipment on hand 

to give virtual demonstrations. 

The next Techie Tuesday will be tomorrow, June 16th, 

and will feature aids for daily living (eating, drinking, bathing, dressing). 

To sign up for your personal 1:1 demonstration 

email Carol Page at carol.page@uscmed.sc.edu .

Continue Social Distancing: Our lives depend on it!

This week, South Carolina had its highest week for COVID-19 cases yet. Protect your life and the lives of others by staying at least 6 feet apart from one another, wearing a mask anytime you are not at home, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds frequently, and staying home as much as possible.

Able SC is still here and able to provide assistance to South Carolinians with disabilities, including food, masks, hand sanitizer, hand soap, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.

In need of assistance? 

Give us a call at 803-779-5121 or email us at info@able-sc.org.

COVID-19 INFORMATION

Learn how to be a Smart Shopper - FREE Online Training!

Want to be a smart shopper? 

Register for our next virtual consumer training! 

Join us on Monday, June 22, from 3-4 PM and learn about:

comparison shopping

buying online vs. in-store 

and

your spending habits!

Register here!

For questions, contact Dori at dtempio@able-sc.org.

Webinar on Thursday and Virtual Breeze Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Webinar this Thursday, 

June 11th @ 7PM EST.

ReWalk offers trial of its 6.0 Exoskeleton

We hope you can join us for a webinar with ReWalk Robotics to learn about our SCI rehabilitation program with the ReWalk exoskeleton. Together, with the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association ReWalk has created a pioneering program to help SCI patients “Take the Next Step” in their rehabilitation. This enlightening webinar will help you learn how individuals can get an opportunity to try the ReWalk.  The webinar will address clinical issues as well as the financial path forward for patients.

Register in advance by clicking the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Register here!

Virtual Peer Support Groups TWICE A WEEK!

Tuesday Groups

@ 5PM EST

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88317320848?pwd=M0pRelNzNE1TejQyQnU0aXN0VjUvZz09

Meeting ID: 883 1732 0848

Password: 865037

Dial by your location

+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)

Wednesday Groups

@ 1:30PM EST

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84708256289?pwd=bWFuZnQyOFdCeVFLR1NCOEJtVndJQT09

Meeting ID: 847 0825 6289

Password: 559780

Dial by your location

+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)

Join us for Triple P: Power of Positive Parenting Webinar on June 10!

Bradshaw Institute

for Community Child Health & Advocacy

Triple P: Power of Positive Parenting Webinar

REGISTER HERE!

Session is also available live on Bradshaw Institute Facebook page at 7:30 PM. 

Please note, this webinar will not be recorded. 

Free Webinar: Learn How to Sign with Children

Signing with Children Birth-3 and Beyond

Date: June 10th, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Cost: Free
Presenter: Jill Eversmann, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist

REGISTER NOW!

This is a fun, interactive introduction to sign language webinar. It covers 30+ single ASL signs, the manual alphabet, and numbers 1-10. Participants will learn and practice the signs and learn effective ways to teach signs to children and to their parents/caregivers. It also covers how sign language encourages speech and language development, enhances overall communication and reduces frustration for children who are not yet able to effectively communicate using speech. 

Participants will:​

• recognize and produce 30 early ASL signs
• understand the benefits of signing with young children of all abilities.
• learn effective ways to teach signs to young children.​

Free Webinar!

Private and Secure Automated Captioning, 

Translation and Note-Taking 

of Remote Meetings and Livestreams

Date: June 18, 2020
Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. 
Cost: FREE Webinar
Speaker Name: Robert Palmquist, CEO of SpeechGear

REGISTER NOW!

With COVID-19 and the resulting remote meeting and livestream situations, ensuring equal access for everyone has become a significant issue. No matter if it’s co-workers of a firm, students in a school, or attendees of a religious service, remote livestreams and meetings can be difficult to follow and understand. This is especially true for individuals who are hard of hearing, deaf, and those who prefer using a language other than English.

In this webinar you will learn (1) The ways that captioning benefits everyone, not just individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, (2) What items to consider when you are selecting the approaches you will use for your captioning system(s), (3) Best practices and tips for ensuring successful deployment and use of your system.

To help you start implementing an inclusive captioning system, each participant in this webinar will receive four weeks of unlimited captioning services that they can use in livestream situations.

Gene study investigates rare form of autism

Recent research has shed new light on a particular 

gene mutation linked to a rare form of autism.

A new study looks at the genetic mechanism behind a rare form of autism.

A new study is helping scientists better understand the link between the mutation of a gene called MEF2C and a rare form of autism called MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome.

The study, which appears in the journal Biological Psychiatry, is the result of a collaboration between the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston and the Greenwood Genetic Center, also in South Carolina.

What is MEF2C?

In general, people have a pair of MEF2C genes. However, for people with MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome, only one of them functions properly. The other is not powerful enough to mediate brain development as it should normally.

According to an article in the journal Neurogenetics, MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome is “associated with intellectual disability, autistic features, epilepsy, and abnormal movements.”

Although scientists know that a deficiency in the MEF2C genes is responsible for MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome, they do not yet know exactly how the genes regulate brain development.

Click here to read more!

Virtual Parenting Support Series - June Schedule

Bradshaw Institute

for Community Child Health & Advocacy

Virtual Parenting Support Series

Are you a parent, expectant parent, grandparent or caregiver? Join the Bradshaw Institute on Wednesday's from 7:30-8:30 p.m. for our FREE virtual parenting support series. These one-hour seminars will deliver the latest, most accurate information regarding child health, safety and development. Schedule available for June in English and Spanish below.

REGISTER HERE

Click here for June Schedule in Spanish

Helping Members Cope

Helping Our Community Cope With COVID-19

Our staff has been working around the clock to fulfill the critical needs of our members and the larger disability community. So far, we have distributed over 600 COVID-19 relief grants to help wheelchair users and other individuals with disabilities make it through these challenging times. Read more.

Benefit Changes Due to the COVID-19 Effect

Here's the latest news and information from our Resource Center on changes to healthcare insurance and benefits due to the impact of COVID-19. Here's all you need to know. Read more.

Teaming Up With the Google Accessibility Team

We’re excited to announce our partnership with Google to expand access to products and services that can help people with disabilities live with greater independence. Read more.

Meet Our Members: Chanelle Wimbash

While the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, Chanelle Wimbish, a T6 paraplegic from College Park, Maryland, works to help find a treatment for another devastating disease. Read more.

Accessing Mental Health Telemedicine

Quality Living Inc. (QLI) a United Spinal member hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, is now offering SCI-informed PT, OT and mental health telemedicine on a limited basis through our national networks. Learn more.

Click here to read the complete May 2020 newsletter. 

Techie Tuesdays!

Join SCATP staff for Techie Tuesdays!

Each week we will have different equipment on hand to give virtual demonstrations. The next Techie Tuesday will be June 2nd and June 9th and will feature AAC devices.

To sign up for your personal, 1:1 demonstration for June 2nd and June 9th, email Carol Page at carol.page@uscmed.sc.edu . 

See you soon!

Carol A. Page, PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP

Program Manager

SC Assistive Technology Program

USC School of Medicine, CDR

Columbia, SC 29208

803.935.5301

https://scatp.med.sc.edu