Techie Tuesdays - Adapted Toys

Join SCATP staff for free Techie Tuesdays! 

Each week we will have different equipment on hand to give virtual demonstrations. The next Techie Tuesday will be Tuesday, December 1st and will feature commercially adapted toys (that you can borrow from us) or the equipment you tell us you are most interested in. We’ll also let you know how you can get our instructions for how to adapt a toy yourself!

To sign up for a time for your personal 

1:1 demonstration for December 1st 

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

Check out our free archived trainings and upcoming trainings here:

https://scatp.med.sc.edu/services/at-trainings/

2020 SC Assistive Technology Adapted Toy Project

2020 SC Assistive Technology Adapted Toy Project 

Just in time for the holidays!

Drop Off or Ship Your Toys to the SC Assistive Technology Program to be Switch-Adapted for Free from November 16th to December 11th, 2020.

If you have a child who can’t turn on toys, here is your chance to get a toy with an on/off switch adapted for free for your child.

Families, professionals and school staff are invited to ship or bring battery-operated toys to the SC Assistive Technology Resource Center to have the toys adapted for switch use. There is no fee for this! SC Assistive Technology Program staff will adapt your toy. 

Generous donors have contributed a few extra toys for us to give out.  If your circumstances make it difficult to afford a toy, please reach out to us about availability. 

If you need a switch for your toy, we can make a switch for you and include it. Just ask!

Want to Learn How to Adapt Toys for Yourself?

Register for our training videos to show you how to do this at home. Our videos show you how to adapt a toy, how to make a switch, and more! 

Register Now! 

For more information, please call 803-935-5362 or 803-935-5263. 

Toy Ordering and Shipping Details

Toys on this list are ones we know we can adapt.  Please contact us with links or pictures before buying other toys, so we can ensure you’ll have a great experience! 

• Peek-a-Boo Unicorn, Puppy or Elephant
• Peek-a-boo Teddy Bear Animated Stuffed Animal By Bo Toys
• JENSEN MR-550-BK Portable AM/FM Radio (Black)
• Treva 5-Inch Battery Operated Clip Fan
• Treva 5-Inch Portable Fan, Gray
• Paint Art Spinner
• Bubble Machine
• Bubble Machine-Pink
• Lantern
• BrightBeats Groove & Glow Beatbox

You can send your toy to us one of three ways:

1. You can drop off your toy at our facility at the Midlands Center Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30; set your GPS to McPoplar Drive for our location on the grounds.  Call (803) 935-5263 or 803-935-5362 when you arrive, and we’ll pick it up from your car. We will not be open for drop off on November 26th and 27th.
2. Place your order online, have the company ship it to the following address, then email your order number and return address to Billfred.Leverette@uscmed.sc.edu.
3. Ship the toy yourself to the address below and include your return address and contact information.  Please print, sign, and include the reuse release form.

Billfred Leverette 

SC Assistive Technology Program

Midlands Center, Poplar Building

8301 Farrow Road

Columbia, SC 29203

If you live in Lexington or Richland County, we will contact you when the toy is ready to schedule an in-person pickup.  If you live elsewhere in South Carolina, we will return your adapted toy via USPS or UPS.

Learn about apps that can help you be independent!

There's more to online apps than just playing games! 

Millions of apps are available to help you learn new skills or stay on track with your time, but it can be difficult finding the right one for you.

Join us online on Monday, December 7 from 3-4 PM to learn about apps available to help you with:

• time management,
• daily life skills,
• managing your money,
• sleep,
• and so much more!

Register here!

Registration will close on Sunday, December 6.

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

What do you want to discuss at next year's consumer trainings?

What topics would you like to learn more about or discuss at 

our monthly, free, online consumer trainings next year? 

We are on the search for the best topics for next year's consumer trainings, and

we need your help! 

We've created a quick survey for you to share your ideas. 

We want our trainings next year to reflect the type of content you want to see, so please respond and help us create our programming for 2021! 

Take the quick survey!

The Top Colleges for Wheelchair Users

 November 17, 2020

COLLEGE GUIDE

Top 20 Colleges for Wheelchair Users

New Mobility has released the most comprehensive college guide for wheelchair users ever created. Wheels on Campus identifies 20 schools that go beyond the letter of the law to create wheelchair-friendly campuses and cultures for a truly inclusive college experience. “We wanted to find those gems, those schools that really go above and beyond to say, ‘Your wheelchair is welcome here, your service dog is welcome here, you are welcome here,’” says project director Jean Dobbs. Download the guide for free, and for more insight, register for Thursday's free college guide webinar. 

Go Straight to the Free Download

Click here to view our biweekly newsletter! 

Free Archived Webinars

Looking for an assistive technology webinar 

on things that can improve functional capabilities?

Go to the SC Assistive Technology Program's training page that lists our recorded, archived webinars in addition to our upcoming trainings.

Just register for the archived webinar you are interested in and the video link and the closed captioning transcript will be sent to you by email.

You can register for upcoming trainings, too!

Free Webinar: Learning About Goally

Learning about Goally:

A Device for Children with ADHD & Autism

Target Audience: Special Ed Teachers, Case Managers, ABA Therapists, Parents of neurodiverse children

Date: November 19, 2020

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Cost: Free

REGISTER NOW!

Goally builds a suite of apps designed to help parents implement evidence-based strategies used by clinicians. Goally provides families with a mobile device for the child to play Goally apps. Our device has no web browser, social media, or games.

Participants will learn:

• What Goally is and all of its features
• How Goally could help (personally and/or professionally) 
• What Goally has coming up (updates and future products) 

Speaker: Sasha Shtern is CEO of Denver based, Goally. Sasha is a serial entrepreneur with a passion to create innovation in the special needs industry. 

Free Webinar: NeuroNode Communication Device

Meet the NeuroNode: 

Flexible AAC to meet the diverse needs of communicators

Date:  November 18

Time:  10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 

Place: Zoom Meeting 

Speaker:  Lane Rials, Speaker Title: MS, CCC-SLP and Regional Consultant for Control Bionics

Cost: Free!

REGISTER NOW!

Target Audience: Speech-language pathologists, Assistive Technology Professionals, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, individuals with communication needs and their families. 

Description: 

This webinar is an introduction to the NeuroNode 3.0, NeuroNode controller application, and the NeuroNode Trilogy as a speech-generating device that offers a flexible solution to AAC. Highlights of this introduction to the NeuroNode Trilogy will include: the NeuroNode, a wearable EMG/3D spatial switch, the 3-in-1 users of the Trilogy (switch scanning, traditional eye gaze, and the Trilogy user which combines eye gaze and the NeuroNode), and Grid3 communication software. 

Participants will learn: 

• What the NeuroNode Trilogy is and how it may benefit clients’ communication needs as a speech-generating device. 
• How to establish and when to use EMG and 3D spatial settings for the NeuroNode.
• What the NeuroNode and our speech-generating devices offer in terms of flexible AAC for users. 

There will be a question and answer session at the end of the demonstration. 

Presenter: Lane Rials is a Speech-Language Pathologist who has been serving individuals of all ages in a wide variety of settings including: schools, private clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and in their homes since 2003, prior to joining Control Bionics as a Regional Consultant. 

News and Updates from Family Connection

 Featured upcoming Zoom Trainings! 

Ask The Experts--Autism Spectrum Disorder

SPEAKERS: Frampton Gwynette, Jodi Cholowicki, Dr. Laura Carpenter, and Sally Baker 

Join us to hear from four experts in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Learn about unique research opportunities and resources available across the state for individuals of all ages with ASD.

Thursday, Nov 12, 2020

Register for: 9:30 am – 10:30 am or 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm __________________________________________________________

The Alphabet Soup of Special Education: FBAs, BIP and Discipline

SPEAKER: Tara Stokes 

Learn the importance of requesting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and playing an active role in the creation of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) when there is a concern regarding their child’s behavior in school. During this workshop participants will also learn about procedural safeguards for students related to discipline; specifically Manifestation Determination Review (MDR).

Thursday, Nov 19, 2020, 10:00 – 11:30 am Register!  __________________________________________________________

Taking A Break in the Time of COVID-19

SPEAKER: Rachal Hatton, Executive Director of the SC Respite Coalition 

In this 20 minute presentation, Rachal will give an overview of types of respite, circles of support, tips for alternative respite during the C19 pandemic, and discuss ways families are adapting respite usage during on-going challenges. There will be a Q&A time following the presentation.

Thursday, Nov 19, 2020 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Register! 

Please visit our website for more information! 

Family Connection of South Carolina Inc.

1800 St. Julian Place Ste. 104

Columbia, SC 29204 

Free Webinar for People with Communications Needs

Webinar: 

Communications Assistance Programs 

in South Carolina

December 8, 2020 | 10 – 11 AM

In this free webinar, learn more about two programs that provide assistance to South Carolinians living with disabilities, specifically highlighting communication assistance. The SC Equipment Distribution Program and the SC Assistive Technology Program will share how the programs began and what is offered to consumers. Each program provides resources for anyone who is nonverbal or struggles with communication due to a disability.

REGISTER NOW! 

Thank you Caregivers. 💙

CHECK OUT OUR NOVEMBER TOOLKIT!

The Autism Society of America is proudly celebrating, supporting and empowering caregivers across the country in honor of National Caregivers Month. As the pandemic continues with limited or interrupted services, the strain on caregivers continues to build; visit our toolkit for respite resources, or contact our National Helpline for additional support.

GET INVOLVED!

Don't wait until December 1st to get involved in #GivingTuesday! Host a fundraiser, donate, and spread the word to help us reach our $25,000 goal towards creating a #SpectrumOfOpportunity for individuals with autism. 

Techie Tuesday

Techie Tuesday 

November 10th for 

Speech-Language Pathologists and Parents

Join SCATP Staff, Carol Page, PhD, CCC-SLP for an informative and relaxed conversation about augmentative and alternative communication, communication devices, and apps comparison. Learn about free resources.

To sign up for a time for your personal, 1:1 demonstration for November 10th, email Carol Page at carol.page@uscmed.sc.edu . 

Check out our free archived trainings and upcoming trainings here:

https://scatp.med.sc.edu/services/at-trainings/

It's not too late to view our Buddy Walk Premier and Awards Ceremony!

Congratulations to our 2020 Award Winners! 

If you missed our Buddy Walk Finish Line Celebration and 2020 Awards, 

you can still view it here:

www.facebook.com/FamilyConnectionofSouthCarolina

Congratulations to these amazing award winners 

and thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success!

You can still contribute to Buddy Walk--fundraising remains open through November! 

Donate Now!

T-shirt Reminder: For those who did not pick up T-shirts, if we haven't made other arrangements with you, we will be mailing T-shirts out to everyone who registered for them! A limited number of T-shirts are still available. If you'd like to purchase a 2020 T-shirt, Contact us! 

Free benefits workshop on November 18!

Have you ever been told that you will automatically 

lose your benefits if you work? 

Or that because you have a disability, you cannot work? 

These are just two of the many myths we hear about how employment may affect a person's benefits. 

Register for our free virtual workshop on Wednesday, November 18, from 1:30-3:30 PM where you can expect to: 

• Learn the myths about working while receiving SSI/SSDI, 
• Hear all about local organizations' employment supports, and 
• "Meet" benefits counselors who can give you free one-on-one help 

Register here!

*This workshop will be most helpful to people who are already receiving SSI/SSDI.* 

Registering helps us make sure that you get the Zoom link 

and all the materials you need for the workshop.

If you are requesting accommodations after November 10, 

please email us at hiremesc@able-sc.org  

Learn how to be a Confident Communicator - FREE virtual training

Being a confident communicator is one of the best skills you can have. 

Think about it! 

You communicate with people nearly every day--your friends, your family, your coworkers, whether it's in-person or online. 

Register and join us on Monday, November 16, from 3-4 PM to learn about: 

• types of communication, 
• active listening, 
• giving and getting constructive feedback, 
• and more! 

Register here!

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

Assistive Technology Leadership Conference

2020 Assistive Technology 

Leadership Conference

Date: November 5, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE 

REGISTER NOW!

The Assistive Technology Leadership Conference is designed to provide resources, networking and support to SC school district assistive technology leaders and teams as well as other state agencies. Join us for a great opportunity to collaborate, share and expand your knowledge of assistive technology best practices. Stay abreast of assistive technology solutions aimed to successfully navigate our new virtual learning environment and explore information to facilitate leading the way to excellence in Assistive Technology Services.

Conference Facilitators: 

Madalina Tudora is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional and experienced educator, currently serving as the Assistive Technology Specialist for the SC Department of Education. She supports school districts, state agencies and stakeholders by providing guidance, resources, and training in the areas of accessibility, assistive technology and instructional technology best practices. 

Carol A. Page, PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP, CBIS is the Program Manager of the South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) at the USC School of Medicine, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Center for Disability Resources, Department of Pediatrics. She received her PhD degree in speech-language pathology from the University of South Carolina, her assistive technology professional certification from RESNA, and her Brain Injury Specialist certification from the Brain Injury Association of America. Carol provides trainings at a local to international level on assistive technology for persons with disabilities of all ages, their caregivers and professionals who serve them.

Tammy Wallace is a Program Coordinator at the South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) at the USC School of Medicine, A University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Center for Disability Resources, Department of Pediatrics.  Tammy received her BA Degree from the University of South Carolina.  She has worked with persons with disabilities of all ages for over 15 years.  Her primary role at SCATP is to work with children K-5 through post-secondary to assist them with assistive technology to help them at school, home, work and in everyday life.  She feels strongly that AT can improve lives.