How to do something good in the disability community
if you're not disabled
“The disability community still needs assistants and allies. It’s still a cause worth fighting for, and a worthy calling for non-disabled people. It just requires careful thought and self-reflection, along with hard work and a good heart.”
Article written in Forbes by Andrew Pulrang. He is a freelance writer with lifelong disabilities and 22 years experience as a service provider and executive in nonprofit disability services and advocacy. He writes about disability practices, policy, politics and culture. He also co-coordinate #CripTheVote, a Twitter-based discussion of disability issues and electoral politics.
Pulrang developed a checklist to thoughtfully reflect on as you dive into the disability field:
- Check your ideas, feelings, and priorities against what actual disabled people think and care about.
- Try to support already existing projects and organizations that were started and run by disabled people.
- Read and listen a lot before you speak.
- Pass the mic and the baton to disabled people.
- Be careful not to make it all about you.
Equip Summer Series!
This year's Equip series is all about personal growth as you transition out of high school - grow as you go!
The Equip Summer Series is a week-long self-advocacy, disability pride, and skill-building opportunity for young adults with disabilities ages 13-28. Summer Series will meet virtually to build skills that assist young adults with all disabilities to increase their independence.
When? This year's Summer Series will be from June 14 - 18, 2021!
Who Can Attend? Young adults with ANY type of disability, ages 13-28.
Why Attend?
- Empower Yourself
- Learn Self-Advocacy Skills
- Set Short/Long-Term Goals
- Learn Independent Living Skills
- Promote Activism in the Community
Where? From the comfort of your own home! This year’s Summer Series will be virtual!
The best part of all… it’s totally FREE!
Registration: Every young adult interested in participating will need to complete this registration form, regardless of previous participation.
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SC Youth Leadership Forum 2021: Plug Into Your Power!
You still have a chance to attend the SC Youth Leadership Forum this summer! We have extended the deadline to apply to June 25, with applications being reviewed on a rolling basis. YLF will be held online this year through Zoom, from July 25-30.
This is an excellent opportunity for youth with disabilities to discover their potential and grow their leadership skills!
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Equip Online Hangouts!
Start off your new year with Equip!
Our Equip Online Hangouts meet on the first and third Thursdays of every month from 6-7 PM. Our Equip leaders help empower their peers to take charge of their lives, find their unique voice to self-advocate, and engage with their community of peers more fully.
Upcoming Equip Online Hangouts:
- Thursday, June 3, 6-7 PM
- Thursday, June 17, 6-7 PM
Toolkit: Accessibility for Fitness Centers
Are you in charge of a YMCA, gym, or other fitness facility? Is your facility FULLY accessible to people with all disabilities, like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires?
We are here to help. Download our FREE toolkit on how to make fitness facilities fully accessible by entering your email address below. Once you submit, you will automatically receive an email to the address you provided with a link to the toolkit (check your spam if you can't find it!).
Blind Spot Sensors for Wheelchairs (Webinar)
South Carolina Assistive Technology Program
Thursday, May 27, 10-11 AM, Zoom
Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Assistive Technology Professionals, Family and Professional Caregivers, Wheelchair Users
For wheelchair users who struggle to maneuver safely or just need more spatial awareness, Braze Mobility has created the world’s first blind spot sensors that can be added to any wheelchair and transform it into a “smart” wheelchair. Our system automatically detects obstacles and provides feedback to the user through intuitive lights, sounds, and vibrations.
Join the webinar and chat with Dr. Pooja Viswanthan, who has incorporated over a decade of smart wheelchair research to bring you and your clients the world’s first blind spot sensors for wheelchairs.
Participants will learn:
- At least 3 benefits of blind spot sensors and scenarios where they are used
- At least 3 types of user feedback that blind spot sensors can provide
- At least 3 advantages of blind spot sensors over semi-autonomous wheelchairs
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