FREE Webinar: Brain Injury Friendly Art Class with Allison Moir-Smith

BIASC is thrilled to announce that we are hosting a FREE webinar for Brain Injury Survivors! This webinar will be a guided art lesson by artist, Brain Injury Survivor, and Brain Injury Advocate Allison-Moir Smith.

Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Time: 10 am - 11 am EST

Location: Zoom (register at the link below)

Cost: FREE

Supplies Needed:

Whatever you have available in your home. This art class uses supplies that you already have to provide a creative outlet in a way that caters to someone with a brain injury. You can use plain paper (no canvases required!) and any type of art medium you would like. Paints are most fun, but whatever you have on hand at home will work!

You will need:

• 2 pieces of paper
• Paints (acrylics, watercolors -- even a kids set will work)
• Brush
• Water
• Paper Plate to squeeze paint onto, if using tubed paint
• Rag/Paper Towel
• Crayons, Chalk, Pastels, and Markers work too -- it will just look a little different (and different is great!)

Click Here to Register for this FREE Webinar. 

You will receive an email with Zoom information after registering.

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month 

The tradition was started in New York in May 1916; inspired by Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, who rode across the United States on horseback. His goal was to get states to agree to create a day to honor Native American peoples and cultures. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the first resolution designating November as Native American Heritage Month.  

Today, many people, groups, and organizations take this month to honor the many diverse contributions of Native Americans to cultural and economic practices in the United States. Native American Heritage Month is also a time when we highlight issues facing our Native communities.  

Today, we are sharing more about the issues that impact Native Americans with disabilities.  

Overview:  

• There are 574 federally recognized American Indian & Alaska Native Tribes throughout the United States (Sources 5, 10)  
• There are 324 federally recognized Native American reservations and land trusts in the U.S. as of 2022 (Sources 5, 11).  
• South Carolina has one federally recognized tribe, the Catawba Nation, centered in York County (Sources 8, 9).  Additionally, the state of South Carolina recognizes 9 local tribes and 4 tribal groups. (Source 8).  
• Native Americans are expected to live 5.5 years less than other race populations in the US. They also have disabilities at a higher rate than any other racial group in America:  
• 24% of American Indians and Alaska Natives have a disability compared 19% of the general population living with a disability. 

Some issues facing Native Americans with disabilities include:  

• High rates of poverty and unemployment  
• Homelessness or living in overcrowded conditions – particularly dangerous during the COVID-19 pandemic  
• Underfunded education systems which include a lack of accommodations for those with disabilities  
• Violence against women – 84% of Native women report having experienced violence within their lifetime.   
• Due to the history of exploiting Native lands, many Native Americans do not have good access to clean water and other natural resources.   
• Limited healthcare funding and resources, culturally competent care, and historical trauma create barriers to healthcare access for Native Americans.  

What resources are available?  

We are our most powerful when we work together with our peers! Local and national tribal and Native American groups are working among their peers to address many issues of inequity for Native Americans with and without disabilities.  

• The Catawba Nation’s website contains resources on tribal enrollment, scholarships for members, and other resources. The nation has also developed goals to increase access to housing, transportation, and supportive services for Native Seniors. More here: https://www.catawba.com/  
• The Pine Hill Indian Community Development Initiative is a nonprofit working to increase access to health and resources for Native Americans in South Carolina. Learn more: https://www.phhn.org/  
• Native American Disability Law Center : although this organization maintains a list of comprehensive resources on its website. You can find:  

1.  Services for Native people over 18 with developmental and intellectual disabilities  
2. Education rights for Native children with disabilities  
3. Legal services for Natives with mental illness  
4. Information on social security benefits for disabled adults and children  

• National Indian Education Association works to improve schools and education for Native populations  
• Native Women’s Wilderness advocates for Native women by assisting women and girls with finding their leadership skills. They also support the education and exploration of Native lands by Native women and girls.  

Able South Carolina also encourages you to listen to and support Native voices – research Native artisans and business owners in your area to support!  

Resources:  

1. Indian Health Services Factsheets: Disparities. https://www.ihs.gov/newsroom/factsheets/disparities/ Accessed November 2, 2022.   
2. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, AI AN and Disability  
3. Diversity Inc. The Biggest Issues Facing the Native American Community Right Now  
4. National Congress of American Indians, Disabilities  
5. United States Census Bureau Newsroom (2022), “Facts for Features: American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, November 2022. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2022/aian-month.html#:~:text=National%20Population%20Projections-,324,-The%20number%20of  
6. United States Department of Health and Human Services and Office of Minority Health: Celebrate Native American Heritage Month. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/NAHM/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery Accessed November 2, 2022.  
7. Sciway.net: South Carolina Indian Tribes: Native Americans in South Carolina. https://www.sciway.net/hist/indians/ Accessed November 3, 2022  
8. South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs:South Carolina’s recognized American Indian Entities.   https://cma.sc.gov/minority-population-initiatives/Native-american-affairs/south-carolinas-recognized-Native-american-indian-entities Accessed November 3, 2022.  
9. Catawba Nation website. https://www.catawba.com/  
10. United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (2021), Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/29/2021-01606/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of  
11. American Indian Reservations,Statistical Areas, and Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas: https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_Gaz_aiannhr_national.zip   

AAIDD 2023 Conference "Call for Proposals" Closes Tonight!

Reminder

The AAIDD 2023 Call for Proposals closes at the end of the day. The conference will be held June 5-8, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA.

The AAIDD conference is the “must attend” conference of the year and features presentations in every area of research, practice, and policy in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The 147th AAIDD conference theme is Setting New Norms for Integrated & Competitive Employment: Challenges, Opportunities, Strategies. In addition to presentations and posters that address the theme, the AAIDD conference always showcases the emerging findings and promising practices across the field.

Submit your proposal now at https://www.aaidd.org/education/annual-conference/2023-call-for-papers!

Field Notes November 2022

Parent Perspectives  

Experiences of Korean Fathers of Children With Autism in the United States 

An article published in the September Issue of Inclusion by the authors affiliated with the University of Maryland College Park and University of Illinois Chicago discusses a study that explored the essence of shared experiences of Korean fathers of children with ASD in the United States. (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee) 

How Mothers of Adults With Profound Intellectual Disabilities Experience Their Everyday Life? A Qualitative Retrospective Study From Poland

An article published in the November Issue of the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities by authors affiliated with the Maria Grzegorzewska University and the University of Kansas discusses a study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers who care for adult children with profound ID. (Abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee)

Examining the Effectiveness of a Legislative Advocacy Program for Parents of Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

An article published in the September issue of the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities by authors affiliated with the University of Illinois and Boston University discusses a study evaluating the effectiveness of a legislative advocacy program for parents of individuals with IDD. (Abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee)

Research and Community Engagement 

It's Never Too Late: Debunking Myths About Communication and Adults With Severe Disabilities

An article published in the October Issue of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by authors affiliated with Georgia State University, Florida State University, Boston College, United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Western Carolina University, and the American Speech Language Hearing Association discusses several myths about age, ability, and the experiences limiting opportunities for persons with severe disabilities. (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee) 

Examining Differences in Community Participation in Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

An article published in the September Issue of Inclusion by authors affiliated with Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Temple University, and Portland State University suggest that young adults participated in fewer areas and less frequently than peers without ASD.  (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee)

Lessons Learned From Research Collaboration Among People With and Without Developmental Disabilities

An article published in the October issue of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by authors affiliated with the University of Maryland, Boston University, and the University of Illinois discusses the lessons learned from a collaborative research study among researchers with and without DD using both qualitative and quantitative methods to develop and examine the effectiveness of a civic engagement intervention for transition-aged youth with disabilities. (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee) 

COVID-19

Public Stigmatization of People With Intellectual Disability During the COVID-19 Pandemic

An article published in the November issue of the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by authors affiliated with Tilburg University and Radboud University discusses a study aimed to examine the level of discrimination against people with ID during COVID-19, and assessed stereotypes, levels of familiarity with the condition and personal experiences with COVID-19 as potential correlates. (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee) 

Digital inclusion and participation of people with intellectual disabilities during COVID-19: A rapid review and international bricolage

An article published in the November Issue of the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities by authors affiliated with the University of Wolverhampton, Linköping University, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Alicante, University of New South Wales, TU Dortmund University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, and the Université du Québec en Outaouais discusses how information and communication technologies have become more embedded than ever in people's lives and investigates how this change has affected the lives of people with ID. (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee)

FREE Webinar: Brain Injury Friendly Art Class

 

BIASC is thrilled to announce that we are hosting a FREE webinar for Brain Injury Survivors! This webinar will be a guided art lesson by artist, Brain Injury Survivor, and Brain Injury Advocate Allison-Moir Smith.

Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Time: 10 am - 11 am EST

Location: Zoom (register at the link below)

Cost: FREE

Supplies Needed: 

Whatever you have available in your home. This art class uses supplies that you already have to provide a creative outlet in a way that caters to someone with a brain injury. You can use plain paper (no canvases required!) and any type of art medium you would like.  

Paints are most fun, but whatever you have on hand at home will work!

You will need:

• 2 pieces of paper
• Paints (acrylics, watercolors -- even a kids set will work)
• Brush
• Water
• Paper Plate to squeeze paint onto, if using tubed paint
• Rag/Paper Towel
• Crayons, Chalk, Pastels, and Markers work too -- it will just look a little different (and different is great!)

Click Here to Register for this FREE Webinar. 

You will receive an email with Zoom information after registering.

Thinking Outside the Box- Creative Independent Living Goals!

Let's get creative! 

Register for this free online training on 

Monday, December 5 from 3:00-4:00 PM 

for tips to become mindful of creative ways

to problem-solving to achieve independent living goals. 

Registration will close on Sunday, December 4 

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

Register Here!

12 Home Products Recommended by Wheelchair Users

November 16, 2022

TRAVEL RESOURCE

Airbnb's New Adapted Category Offers Beautiful Design and Verified Access

Airbnb has debuted a new Adapted homes category that lets you browse a variety of unique homes across the world that have verified step-free access and dedicated accessibility features. Many of the homes are beautiful and fun: There’s a castle in Spain, treehouses in Brazil and Alabama, and a dome house in North Carolina. The listings include floor plans and measurements so you can make sure the property works for you.   

PRODUCTS

12 Products to Make Every Room in Your House More Accessible

Here’s a collection of the products our Consumer Guide contributors recommend for making your home a little easier to manage. There’s a voice-controlled thermostat, a variety of helpful door-openers, an easy-access bathtub, a side-opening oven and more.   

PRO TIPS

A Chef Reinvents Thanksgiving as a Wheelchair User

Take a peek inside the kitchen of Chuck Sansone, a wheelchair user and former corporate chef, as he cooks a mouthwatering and complex array of Thanksgiving dishes for 30 friends and family members. Sansone says you can make delicious meals with less labor by doctoring pre-prepped foods — like frozen vegetables, store-bought sauces and leftovers — and he shares one of his favorite holiday recipes. 

Click here to read more of this issue of New Mobility! 

 

Mobility Programs at Able SC!

 Mobility and Transportation Programs 

Able SC in partnership with The COMET offers a number of Mobility Programs! Keep reading for details on our programs. 

Questions? 

Call 803-779-121 

or email transportation@able-sc.org. 

Read More

PUP (Pick Up Program):

• The PUP Mobility program is for anyone 65 and older or who has a disability. This is for people who live outside the COMET/DART service area, live in Richland or Lexington counties, and live inside the Columbia Urbanized area.  
• Anyone who is eligible will receive a monthly allowance of $100 to use Lyft, Uber, or a taxi. 

VTrip (Volunteer Transportation Reimbursement Program):  

• The VTrip Mobility program is for anyone 65 and older or who has a disability. This is for people who live outside the COMET/DART service area, live in Richland or Lexington counties, and live inside the Columbia Urbanized area.  
• Allows eligible riders to pay back the people who give them rides.   
• The driver cannot be a family member. They can be a neighbor, friend, coworker etc.    
• The reimbursement rate is 150 miles a month at 0.58¢ per mile or $58 a month. 

Travel Training 

The objective of travel training is to make using transit comfortable and familiar for new riders so they can travel independently within the community and participate in various leisure and/or professional activities. This is a free service that meets the specific transportation needs of passengers by offering a hands-on learning experience with a qualified transit professional. 

To sign up for Travel Training, contact Able South Carolina at 803-779-5121 or email transportation@able-sc.org

SCATP Fall Events

SC Assistive Technology Program 

Fall Events

Adapted Toy Workshop  

Live Workshop this week!

It’s not too late to sign up for a time slot! 

Date:  November 17 & 18, 2022

Time Slots available:  1:00, 2:00, or 3:00

Cost:   Free. (Registration is required.)

 REGISTER NOW!

About the Workshop: Children learn through play; many children with disabilities do not have access to toys operate independently.  

• Bring a battery-operated toy to adapt.  If you do not have an appropriate battery-operated toy, one will be provided for you.  
• Learn how to adapt toys and assemble a 3D printed switch.
• Everyone will leave with a switch adapted toy and 3D printed switch to operate it!

*****

Dispelling AAC Myths.  

How do we know someone is appropriate for AAC?  

Live Webinar

Date:  December 1, 2022

Cost:   Free. (Registration is required.)

REGISTER NOW!

About the Webinar

Integrating the use of AAC into everyday activities and the Gen Ed curriculum in an free, easy to follow step by step evidence based plan. This program is for AAC team (SLP’s, Parents, educators, and anyone else working with a child who would benefit from an AAC device).

Participants will learn:

• Dispelling AAC myths. How do we know when a device is right for the child/client? 
• How do I get a device for my child/client?
• Your child/client has a device. Now what?

About the Speaker

Michelle Lassiter MA CCC/SLP is the Tobii Dynavox Solutions Consultant for the state of South Carolina.  She has been a bilingual (Eng/Span) Speech Language Pathologist for over 25 years in hospital, early intervention, outpatient, and school settings.

Accommodations

CART captioning is provided for all SCATP webinars. If you need an additional accommodation to participate, please contact us at least one week prior to the webinar via e-mail or by phone at 803-935-5263. 

Webinars are recorded and archived on our training page. 

Don't miss out on this great Brain Injury training opportunity! Registration ends tomorrow!

 

Don't miss out on this great training opportunity! Registration ends tomorrow! Are you a caregiver of a person with a brain injury, direct support professional, or other professional and interested in receiving a Brain Injury Fundamentals Certificate?  Then this is the class for you! Brain Injury Fundamentals is an essential training and certificate program designed for direct care staff, family members, and individual caregivers. The training course covers essential topics such as cognition, medical complications, and medication safety and management.   When:         Friday, December 2, 2022                   9:00 AM – 1:30 PM                     Friday, December 9, 2022                    9:00 AM – 1:30 PM                     Friday, December 16, 2022                  9:00 AM – 1:30 PM                      Where:        Online via Zoom Platform         Fees:            (includes a workbook, training, and exam)                       $25 for Unpaid Caregivers                       $50 for Professionals                       $85 for Non-SC Residents (Professionals and Caregivers)   Instructors:    Kay Brooks, MA, CBIST Director, Head and Spinal Cord Injury Services Thrive Upstate   Meghan Trowbridge, LISW-AP, CBIST, C-ASWCM Assistant Director, Center for Disability Resources USC School of Medicine   To Register:  Please go to https://www.biaofsc.com/trainings-and-certifications. Deadline to register is November 16, 2022.   *Class is limited to 25 participants. If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Hartwell at coordinator@biaofsc.com or 803-731-9823. Check Out Our Website