Hurricane Idalia: Get Prepared Now!

Hurricane Idalia: Get Prepared Now! 

Beginning Wednesday, South Carolina will be impacted by Hurricane Idalia. There could be 4 to 8 inches of rain or more, isolated tornados, and flooding. Wind gusts up to 50+ miles per hour are possible in certain areas, and power outages are possible!   

Now is the time to make sure you are prepared: 

Before the Storm: 

• Build or update your personal emergency kit. Your kit should have the essential items you can't live without. Learn more about what's needed in your kit. You can also read this kit list from ready.gov. 
• Build or update your service animal or pet's emergency kit. Learn more about what's needed in their kit. 
• Make sure you have enough food and medicine if you need to shelter in place for a long period of time. 
• Make sure your medical equipment or accommodations that use batteries are fully charged and in good working condition. 

During the Storm: 

• Never drive through flooded areas. If you approach a barricade, do not drive around it! As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, and two feet of water can cause your car to be swept away. Turn around, don’t drown. 
• Watch your local news media for storm updates. If the storm updates say to shelter in place, do so! 
• If you need to evacuate, take only the essential items, including your emergency kit and medical supplies. 
• If you lose power, follow these tips to keep your water and food safe. The link includes a link to a video that explains what to do. 

If you need to stay home: 

• Keep paying attention to the radio or TV for updates on the hurricane or flooding. 
• Stay inside. Even if it looks calm, don’t go outside. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the storm is over. Sometimes, the weather gets calm in the middle of a storm but then gets worse again quickly. 
• Stay away from windows. You could get hurt by pieces of broken glass during a storm. 
• If emergency authorities order you to leave or if your home is damaged, you may need to go to a shelter or a neighbor’s house. 

If you need to evacuate: 

• Only take what you really need with you, like your cell phone, chargers, medicines, ID, and cash. 
• Make sure you have your emergency kit. 
• If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water. 
• Follow the roads that emergency workers tell you to take, even if there’s traffic. Other routes might be blocked and unsafe. 

After the Storm: 

• If you have durable medical equipment or adaptive technology that gets damaged by the storm, contact Able SC. We may have a replacement for you, free of charge. 
• If you had to evacuate during the storm, only go home when authorities tell you it's safe to do so. If your home was flooded during the storm, you will need to clean and disinfect it to stay safe. You should clean and disinfect anything that could have been touched by flood water, including toys for kids or pets. 

What if there's a flood? Here's how you stay safe: 

• If you are escaping flood water to save your life, do not stay in the attic of your house. If the highest floor of your home becomes dangerous, get on the roof. Call 911 for help and stay on the line until the call is answered. If your disability prevents you from doing this, call 911 as soon as possible and tell them! 
• Pay attention to the radio or TV news to follow instructions. Flood water is a drowning risk for everyone, even if you can swim. Swiftly moving shallow water can be deadly, and even shallow standing water can be dangerous for small children. 
• Vehicles do not protect you from flood waters. They can be swept away or stall in moving water. If flooding happens while you're in your car, get to higher ground. Get out of areas that could flood like dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc. 

If you are in an area that is in danger of flooding or you are under a flood watch or warning: 

• Get your emergency kit, including prescription medications, and stay tuned to your local radio or television station for updates. 
• If you have to evacuate, turn off the main power switch and close the main gas valve to your home. 
• Have your immunization (shot) records handy or know when you got your last tetanus shot in case you get a puncture wound or a wound becomes infected during or after the flood. Immunization records should be stored in a waterproof container. 
• Fill bathtubs, sinks, and containers with clean water. Sanitize the sinks and tubs first by using bleach. Rinse and fill with clean water. 

What if there's a tornado? Here's how you stay safe:  

• Check out this easy read tornado safety fact sheet from the National Weather Service 
• Check batteries in flashlights and battery-operated or hand-crank weather radios. Keep these items nearby in case you lose power. 
• Be ready to take cover in a basement or a windowless area of your home, such as a bathroom, hallway, under stair area, or large closet. 
• Be sure you and everyone in your household knows where to meet if you are separated. This is also important if your home is damaged and you need to go to a shelter or to friends or family. 

What if there's a power outage or downed power lines? 

• NEVER touch a fallen power line. Call the power company to report fallen power lines. 
• Do not walk or drive through standing water if downed power lines are in the water. 
• If you believe someone has been electrocuted, call or have someone else call 911. Do not touch them unless you know they are not touching the electrical current. You can use a piece of wood, cardboard, or plastic to push them off the current safely. 
• If a power line falls across your car while you are driving, stay inside your vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. 
• If your engine stalls, do not turn off the ignition. Warn people not to touch your car or the line. Call or ask someone to call 911. Do not allow anyone other than emergency workers to come to your vehicle. 
• If your power breaker is in standing water, never turn the power on or off yourself. Call a qualified electrician. 
• Never use a gas-powered generator or gas power source inside your home, basement, or garage! Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. Never use a grill or fire pit indoors. These things make carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a deadly invisible gas with no smell. The gas can build up and kill you. 
• If you need a generator, choose a battery-powered one! 

How can Able SC help me? 

• If you have a disability, we can give you information if you need advocacy and support. Just call us: 800.681.6805 
• We can help you get durable medical equipment like canes, walkers, AT chargers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, accessible cots, etc. if your items were lost or damaged during the emergency. 
• We make sure people with disabilities are accommodated in emergency shelters and other locations! This includes advocating for equal access to information, food, sleeping, bedding, etc. at the shelter. Call us if you are having trouble: 800.681.6805 
• We send shelter modifications to make sure they are accessible. We send things like adjustable/accessible cots, ramp, temporary disabled parking signs, shower hoses, shower chairs, communication boards, and technology, etc.  
• We navigate FEMA, American Red Cross, Partnership for Inclusive Disasters, and other Emergency Services, including aiding with FEMA or Red Cross applications! We are here for you! 

Deep Dive Sources:  

• Emergency Preparedness Workbook for People with Disabilities  
• SCEMD, Family Emergency Kit  
• Red Cross, Survival Kit Supplies 
• CDC Emergency Prep 

School and State Office Closings:

• State Office Closings 
• School Closings 

August is National Immunization Awareness Month!

National Immunization Awareness Month is recognized in August each year. For centuries, immunizations have kept us healthier by helping our immune systems be ready to fight off infections. America's first president, George Washington, had his troops vaccinated against the smallpox infection in the mid-1700s. The polio vaccine, invented in 1955, revolutionized the world by protecting most of the population from a dangerous and sometimes deadly illness. Today, immunizations are just as necessary. Viruses change over time, so the vaccines that protect us from disease must also be updated. This year, we see this with the new COVID variant, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Influenza (flu). National Immunization Awareness Month is a great time to protect the health of you and your loved ones by getting up to date on your vaccinations.

Fall Vaccines

Protect yourself and your community by getting your updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The flu vaccine is updated every year. Like last year, the COVID-19 vaccines will be updated to better protect you from the current COVID-19 variants circulating.

Influenza Vaccine

The flu vaccine for the 2023-2024 flu season should be available for consumers by the end of August. Larger pharmacies, such as CVS, are already scheduling vaccination appointments. If you have a regular pharmacy that you go to, check with them to see when you can plan your shot. If you would instead get your flu shot from your doctor, call their office, and get your vaccination scheduled. 

Most experts recommend getting your flu shot in September or October if the flu season starts early. Getting your shot early in the flu season will keep your protection strong from December through February, when the flu circulates heavily (Source 1).

The flu shot is usually free to people with health insurance without a co-pay. If you do not have health insurance, ask your pharmacy provider if they have a low-to-no-cost option.

COVID-19 Vaccine

It is still essential to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine and boosters to remain protected from the Coronavirus. This year, there will be another update to the COVID-19 vaccine. The updated vaccine will be monovalent, made up of one strain of the Coronavirus. This version will target the XBB strain of the Omicron variant. The vaccine will target this variant because it is the most common strain making people sick right now.

In a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health podcast, Dr. Andrew Pekosz, a molecular microbiology and immunology professor, explained what is so important about this Fall's COVID booster. "When I, as a virologist, look at the data, if you haven't received a COVID vaccine in six months or a year, this is a good vaccine to take because it's very different from the variants that you've been immunized against before." (Source 2).

The updated vaccine is predicted to be available in September. We await word from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on who should receive the updated vaccine & when. 

Have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine?

Check out the South Carolina Disability Vaccine Access Network's Frequently asked questions or call our hotline at 1-800-787-6046.

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References: 

1. Desmon, S (2023, July 31). "Preventing Another "Tripledemic" with Vaccines for Flu, COVID, and RSV." 
2. Johns Hopkins. Bloomberg School of Public Health. Retrieved August 3, 2023, from https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/looking-ahead-at-covid-flu-and-rsv-vaccines-for-fall-2023
3. National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (2023, July 6). "National Immunization Awareness Month. (NIAM)" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 4, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html 

08-31-23 Webinar: Home Access

Join us for a webinar on 

Thursday, August 31st!

What You Need to Know 

About Home Access

Type: Live Webinar

Date: August 31, 2023

Time: 10 - 11 a.m.

Location: Webinar

Cost: Free. 

(Registration is required.)

REGISTER NOW!

About the Program

• Description: This webinar will address products to make the home safe and improve daily living for individuals living with a disability.

• Target Audience: Anyone living with a disability, their family members and/or service providers and personal care assistants.

• Participants will learn: Participants will learn about the latest in ramps, shower products and stairlifts

Presenters:

• Marty Douglas, MobilityWorks
• Amanda Bauer, National Ramps
• Israel Gamburd, SolutionBased

Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

 

Did you know that August is National Make-A-Will Month? As the old saying goes, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” and by creating your will this month, you are creating a way to protect your loved ones while supporting the future of the Autism Society of America.

With the help of our partner, FreeWill, you can create a will completely for free and online. Thousands of people are writing their wills this month to:

• Dictate your vision for the future and your assets
• Show your loved ones just how much you care about them
• Create a lasting, generational impact on the work of the Autism Society

Create My Will

The Autism Society is a national organization with a local focus, so when you create your legacy with the Autism Society, you are impacting the people in your backyard, changing lives close to home, for generations to come.

Using this service, you will get lifetime access to make changes and updates to your plans at no cost. Take advantage of Make-A-Will Month and create your will and legacy today.

Make your money work for you!

Manage your money to reach success for your future goals. 

Register for this free training!  

Online: September 18 from 3 pm to 4 pm 

In Person: September 19 from 3 pm to 4:30 pm

at Columbia and Greenville Offices 

Registration will close the day before the training. 

For questions, contact info@able-sc.org. 

Register Here!

August 2023 Leadership in IDD

Perspectives 

Commentary from the Field 

AAIDD International Interest Network’s Plans For 2023-2024

Hatice Uyanik, MA, Co-Chair, AAIDD International Interest Network

Alice Bacherini, MA, Co-Chair, AAIDD International Interest Network

The goal of the AAIDD International Interest Network (IN) is to expand the outreach and dissemination of AAIDD’s work to international communities. To fulfil this charge, its co-chairs carry out activities including preparing posters for conferences, hosting member meetings, and engaging in online/social media outreach. As current co-chairs of the International IN, we follow the steps of previous chairs, relying on their experiences to guide our path and building new activities to further and enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice outcomes for everyone. 

The International IN has planned some exciting activities for the upcoming year! We will increase our understanding of different IDD systems worldwide by completing the following activities:

• Conduct a survey to determine this year’s topic for the IN’s group project. A presentation proposal about the project will  be submitted for the 2024 AAIDD Annual Meeting.
• Co-host a webinar series with the SECP IN on emergency preparation and risk assessment before, during, and after emergencies for people with IDD.
• Propose a special issue of a peer-reviewed journal for the international disability community.

More information will be announced as these activities progress. Please contact one of the current co-chairs (hatice.uy@gmail.com, alice.bacherini@unipg.it)  with your comments, suggestions, or inquiries, and stay tuned to the AAIDD website, subscribe to AAIDD newsletters, and follow us and AAIDD on social media mediums! 

Notables

Recent awards, accolades, appointments, and other honors

Kim Fisher, PhD, FAAIDD, Promoted to Associate Professor at Illinois State University

Craig Escudé, MD, Drops New Podcast Titled IDD Health Matters. Dr. Craig Escudé speaks with a wide range of leaders, self-advocates, agency directors, clinicians, administrators, and others from across the globe involved in designing and facilitating service delivery to people with IDD.

Michael Bloom, MA, MS, FAAIDD, Mentioned in Article "Building an Inclusive Work Culture Can Help BH Agencies in Retention"  Published in Mental Health Weekly.

Guy Caruso, PhD, FAAIDD, Among Authors of Chapters in New Book, Wolf Wolfensberger - The Influence of the Person and his Ideas Today | A Festchrift 

Dan Zhang, PhD, FAAIDD, Promoted to Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at Texas  A&M University 

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AAIDD is looking to feature notables and perspective pieces from our members in the field! Send us your commentary to be featured in a future Leadership in IDD Newsletter.

Click here to submit your work to be featured. 

Not yet a member? Join AAIDD online! 

SmartDrive Safety in the Spotlight

 August 15, 2023

PRODUCT SAFETY

Controller Recall Puts SmartDrive Safety in the Spotlight 

At a June event, United Spinal Association’s CEO was pushed off of a stage, most likely by a faulty controller for his SmartDrive power-assist device. The dramatic mishap, combined with Permobil’s recent recall of the SmartDrive's watch-style Bluetooth controllers, led us to broader questions about the safety of the popular SmartDrive system. We dig into the details of the controller recall, talk to users about their experiences and issues with the device, and explore the possible benefits of wired control options. 

Video content: C6 quad Bob Ness shares his experience with the SmartDrive. He says the pros outweigh the cons for him, but he advises learning to use the device safely and offers several tips.

TRAVEL NEWS

United Airlines Settles Lawsuit After Wheelchair User Sustains Brain Injury While Deplaning 

Nathaniel “NJ” Foster, a 21-year-old college student and vent-dependent quad, was deplaning in an aisle chair when he sustained a catastrophic brain injury that left him in a persistent vegetative state. Foster’s family claimed that United Airlines negligence was to blame and sued the airline for liability. After one day of testimony in the jury trial, the airline and family came to a settlement agreement. John Morris reports on this latest air travel tragedy. 

Amtrak's New Train Designs May Exceed Access Requirements 

In a refreshing counterpoint to the airlines’ indifference over accessibility and disabled travelers, Amtrak is seeking approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to make their new intercity trains even more accessible than current regulations mandate. To help with the process, the rail provider is asking for public comments on the benefits of accessible train travel. Read more on Amtrak’s proposal to go beyond the letter of the law, and learn where to leave a comment.  

Click here to read more of this issue!

AUCD Weekly: August 15, 2023

August 16, 2023

The AUCD Weekly will be taking a summer break next week, August 23. 

The newsletter will resume on August 30. 

Announcements

AUCD Welcomes Rodney Samaco, PhD as Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer

• John Tschida, the Executive Director of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, announced today that Rodney Samaco, PhD has been hired as AUCD’s Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer (CSBDO). Dr. Samaco will serve in this key leadership role to develop new business models, procure resources, spearhead research initiatives and uncover new opportunities as part of AUCD’s Strategic Plan.

2023-2024 Emerging Leaders Opportunities Application Deadline Extended!

Deadline: August 18, 2023

• AUCD is accepting applications from current trainees for (3) AUCD Emerging Leaders Interns and (5) Council Trainee Representatives. Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year are now open and close on Friday, August 18th! Please contact Mollie Blafer, mblafer@aucd.org, for any questions.

Funding

Foundation for Prader-Willi Research - Research Applications

Deadline: September 8, 2023

Award Ceiling: $150,000

• The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research addresses the many issues related to Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), including childhood obesity, developmental delay, psychiatric disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. Funding priorities identified by the foundation include genotype to phenotype: understanding PWS genetics/how the loss of PWS-critical region genes leads to the phenotype; neurobiology of hunger/feeding behavior in PWS; neurobiology of cognitive deficits, maladaptive behavior, and mental illness in PWS; clinical care research: evaluation of existing drugs and interventions to improve health and quality of life in PWS; therapeutics development for PWS-genetic therapies; novel pharmaceuticals; and drug repurposing for PWS.

Special Olympics - Rosemary Collaboratory - USA: Leveraging Research and Advocacy to Make Health Systems More Inclusive of People with Intellectual Disabilities

Deadline: October 29, 2023

Award Ceiling: TBD

• Through this Request for Proposal (RFP), Special Olympics Inc. (SOI) will identify consultants to assess a health system1 in their state using a framework and tool that will be provided by SOI and develop an advocacy plan for achieving a change in a health system2 in their state that stands to improve health access or outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities (ID).

Resources

Cognitive Function in Down Syndrome-associated Alzheimer's Focus of Grant

• Nearly every person with Down syndrome eventually develops Alzheimer's disease. Yet, people with the syndrome routinely are excluded from Alzheimer's clinical trials, with the help of an $11 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Associate Professor of Neurology Jason Hassenstab, Ph.D., from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis IDDRC, is looking to address this. 

National Institute of Mental Health: Digital Toolkit for Back to School

• Returning to school can be exciting and challenging for children and teens. During August, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) will highlight resources on stress and anxiety, strategies for coping, and guidance about when to seek help from a health care provider. Share these resources to help parents, teachers, caregivers, and students navigate this stressful time and focus on overall mental well-being.

Click here to read more of this issue!

Weekly news items may be submitted for consideration 

via the AUCD Promotion Request Form. 

Submissions are due on Monday each week. 

Tickets on Sale Now! FundAble: Cultivating Inclusion

In case you missed it ...

Tickets are on sale for FundAble, 

Cultivating Inclusion!

Able SC’s annual fundraising & awards event returns on Friday, November 3rd. This year's theme: FundAble, Cultivating Inclusion, will celebrate how you, our supporters, are a part of "planting the seeds for our shared community."

We may even have an announcement about the future of Able SC...

Don't miss it, secure your tickets today!

Get Your Tickets Now!

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Quick Details

Friday, November 3, 2023

6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Central Energy, 2030 Gregg St., Columbia, SC

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What can you expect?

Delicious Gourmet Bites

Open Bar

FundAble Awards Show

Live Entertainment

Raffles, Chances to Win

A chance to support Able SC

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Become a FundAble Sponsor!

We have a variety of sponsorship opportunities available, including the chance to sponsor tables! Learn more about the benefits of becoming a sponsor of FundAble.

Contact Able SC's Director of Development, Kim Martinez-Ward, at kward@able-sc.org for more information on sponsorship. Ready to commit? You can make your sponsor payment online at the ticketing link.

Sponsor the Event

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Why awards and fundraising?

In order to continue systems change and advancement of equity, access, and independence for all individuals with disabilities in South Carolina, we need your partnership now more than ever! For every ticket you purchase and dollar you donate, you are supporting Able South Carolina at a time when our services are critical. We hope you will join us not only to celebrate but support.

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A note on the 2023 event artwork:

As if peering through a keyhole, the foreground is surrounded by a dark teal with silhouettes of plants and ferns surrounding the central image. In the center is a small clearing within a forest of illustrated trees, moss, and bushes in varying shades of green, and three small white and red dotted toadstool mushrooms, a large organic shape in light green contains the text, 'FundAble, South Carolina, Planting the seeds for our shared community.' The text is dark green. The 'Fund' of fundable is framed with vines and leaves. The 'Able' of fundable mimics the Able South Carolina logo. Light green-yellow dots that appear to be emitting light fill the frame in a firefly glow effect.

According to the artist, the fireflies represent local connections as well as individuals, all synchronizing and coming together for a cause. You are a part of that synchronizing. By supporting Able South Carolina, you are coming together with us to support our mission, vision, and values. We can't wait for you to join us this fall.

Register for the BIASC's 'Matter of Balance' Classes!

"A Matter of Balance" Classes

Falls hurt! And they can cause many types of injuries. It is important to consider ways to keep yourself safe and help prevent falls in your home and in the community. Adding grab bars or railings next to showers and tubs, improving lighting in the home and around buildings, and regular visits to the eye doctor are all ways people with disabilities can prevent falls. Another way to prevent falls is connecting with fall prevention programs or exercise classes.

 

The Brain Injury Association of South Carolina is offering a free class starting August 16th, 2023, that will meet every Wednesday and Friday until September 8th, 2023. Each class will meet from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  

In the ‘Matter of Balance’ class, students will: 

• Learn to view falls as controllable
• Set goals for increasing activity
• Learn to reduce fall risks at home
• Exercise to increase strength and balance 

If you have questions or need help registering, contact Lara Peck at (803) 434-6231 or Lara.Peck@prismahealth.org; Michael Simmons at (803) 731 9823 or Michael@biaofsc.com or Able SC. 

Register Now!

Register Now! Disability Benefits & Employment Workshop for Veterans

August Disability Benefits and 

Employment Workshop for Veterans 

• Are you a Veteran receiving SSI/SSDI and interested in going to work or increasing your earnings? 
• Have you been told that doing so would cause you to automatically lose your cash benefits? 
• If so, register for this free workshop to let us dispel some of the myths about working while receiving VA Benefits/SSI/SSDI and to connect with local organizations that can help you with your job search. 

Join us on Thursday, August 24, from 10 AM - 12 PM through Zoom! 

*This workshop will be most beneficial to people who already receive VA Benefits/SSI/SSDI or have some basic knowledge of it.* 

Registering ensures you get the link and all the materials needed. 

Registration closes on Wednesday, August 23. 

Register Here!

If you need accommodations and are registering after Thursday, August 10, please email us at hiremesc@able-sc.org, otherwise submit your request when you register.

For more information, email hiremesc@able-sc.org or 

call 1-800-681-7715/TTY: 864-235-8798 

Thank you to Disability Rights South Carolina 

for funding this program.

AUCD Weekly - August 9, 2023

Announcements

2023-2024 Emerging Leaders Opportunities Application Deadline Extended!

Deadline: August 18, 2023

AUCD is excited to announce (3) openings for the AUCD Emerging Leaders Internship for the 2023-2024 academic year. Ideal candidates are interested in learning more about information sharing, resource development, and stakeholder engagement in a national non-profit organization. Interns will support and represent the AUCD Emerging Leaders Community – a network of current and former trainees, including early career professionals – and act as connection points between their respective centers/programs and the AUCD Network.  

AUCD 360 - Call for Submissions

Deadline: August 18, 2023

AUCD 360 is a monthly newsletter highlighting the news, initiatives, and events of the AUCD Network. Submitting an article to AUCD 360 is a great opportunity for Network members to showcase their activities, new research developments, trainee and faculty awards, events, and other accomplishments of interest to the entire Network and many others in the disabilities field.  

2023 AUCD Board Elections: Nominations Requested

Deadline: August 18, 2023

AUCD is currently seeking nominations for the following positions to the AUCD Board of Directors, for a three-year term beginning in November 2023: Two (2) At-Large members.

LEND and Learn Monthly TA Series: Recruiting Diverse Trainees and Faculty

Monday, August 21, 2023, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

ITAC's new LEND and Learn Monthly TA Series is an opportunity for LEND leadership and faculty to gather once a month to discuss priority TA topics and to learn from each other! A different LEND program will lead each session, including a 15-minute presentation and 45 minutes discussion. Please note that this is not a webinar series. Instead, it is designed to be an informal opportunity for LENDs to connect on topics identified as top TA needs. DBP programs are welcome to participate.

Click here to read more!

 

Building Capacity & Stretching Your AT Dollars 08-17-23 Webinar

Building Capacity & 

Stretching Your AT Dollars

Type: Live Webinar

Date: August 17, 2023

Time: 10 - 11 a.m.

Location: Webinar

Cost: Free

Registration: 

Participants must register to receive the webinar link.

REGISTER HERE!

About the Program

AbleNet offers two programs designed to build capacity and at the same time, extend a district’s AT dollars. The first program focuses on providing customizable AT solutions for self-contained classrooms, bundled with support so that the teacher is successful with implementation. The second program offers districts, as well as clinics, the opportunity to obtain free speech generating devices for their students/clients with communication disorders. Come learn how these programs can build capacity within your district, while also making your budget go further. 

Target Audience: 

K-12 Administrators, school and clinic based SLPs, OTs, AT Specialists, Special Education Teachers in self-contained classrooms.

Participants will learn:

• About a professional resource that enables administrators to create equitable classrooms and build capacity of staff supporting low incidence, autism, or PreK classrooms. 
• About federal funding earmarked for assistive technology to support students with disabilities, distributed to school districts, and available until September 2024. 
• About a free funding service available to schools and clinics designed to provide speech generating devices for their students/clients. 

Speakers:

Cindy Richardson

In her role as AbleNet’s National Assistive Technology Consultant, Cindy works with districts to identify technology tools and resources that support the academic and functional success of students with significant disabilities. She has worked with individuals with disabilities for over 30 years and holds a M.Ed. degree from George Mason University in Assistive/Special Education Technology.

Emilie Peel

Emilie Peel is a Business Development Manager with AbleNet. She has been in the Assistive Technology field for 14 years and is very passionate about AAC. She has worked as a paraprofessional speech therapist with the pediatric population, and worked for an education law firm advocating for individuals with special needs. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from West Chester University. 

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.

Fall Prevention Program: A Matter of Balance

Do you have concerns about falling?

Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. 'A Matter of Balance' is an award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. 

The Brain Injury Association of South Carolina and Prisma Health will lead a 4-week class (2 sessions per week, 8 sessions total) covering the ‘A Matter of Balance’ program.

The class will start on Wednesday, August 16, and meet every Wednesday and Friday until September 8. Each class session will meet from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Prisma Health Richland Campus.

Register soon! 

Space is limited to 12 participants.

Click Here to Register!

This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls.

What?

• 'A Matter of Balance' Fall Prevention Program

When?

• August 16 – September 8, 2023
• Meets every Wednesday and Friday
• 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

How many sessions?

• 8 sessions total (meets twice per week over 4 weeks)

Where?

• Prisma Health Richland (9 Medical Park Dr., Columbia, SC 29203) 

You will learn to: 

• View falls as controllable
• Set goals for increasing activity
• Make changes to reduce fall risks at home
• Exercise to increase strength and balance

Who should attend? 

• Anyone concerned about falls
• Anyone interested in improving balance, flexibility, and strength
• Anyone who has fallen in the past
• Anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns
• Adults age 60 or older

What have we been up to?

Thanks to your support, the 2021-2022 fiscal year was full of big wins for Able SC and our disability community. We are excited to share our Annual Report outlining some of the impacts of Able SC’s work locally, statewide, and nationally.  

The report demonstrates how we continue to lead equity and inclusion through our mission of equipping people with disabilities with tools to foster pride and to direct their own lives, educating the community to challenge stereotypes and eliminate barriers, and advocating for access, equity, and inclusion at the individual, local, state, and national level. We couldn't do any of this without your support. Thank you for investing in the disability community– together, we are making incredible social change!

Lastly, save the date to help us cultivate equity and inclusion for South Carolinians with disabilities by helping us plant the seed for our shared community! Attend our annual Fundable event on November 3, 2023. Tickets are now available at www.able-sc.org/fundable/

Thank you for all you give to Able SC! 

 View the 2021-2022 Annual Report

August Advocacy: Back-to-School Prep & Independent Living

 

Back-to-School

This August, we highlight back-to-school routines and socialization, services for independent living, long-term supports, school safety, and National Make-A-Will Month. Our Public Policy resources provide information on making appointments with members of Congress while they are home on August recess.

Did You Know: In the U.S., only 17% of the 7.37 million adults with IDD receive publicly funded residential support. This month, the Autism Society highlights resources and supports focused on the transition to independent living in the Autism community.

Access August Resources

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National Make-A-Will Month 

August is National Make-A-Will Month. To help you begin future planning for your loved ones, the Autism Society of America has partnered with FreeWill: a free online resource that guides you through the process of creating your legal will in 20 minutes. By creating your will this month, you are creating a way to protect your loved ones while supporting the future of the Autism Society.

Learn More

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Fore Autism Golf Classic

Join our Fore Autism Golf Classic event hosted by Keystone Insurers Group on Wednesday, October 11th at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton, Virginia. All proceeds will benefit the Autism Society of America and our mission to create connections, empowering everyone within the Autism community to live fully. Sponsorship opportunities are still available to participate in the 10th annual golf event! 

If you're interested in becoming an event sponsor, please email Roger Caldwell at Rcaldwell@GreatGolfEvents.com. 

Register Today!

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Autism Society Resources 

The Autism Society's Vaccine Education Initiative (VEI) ensures more people will receive factual, unbiased information about vaccines, safety, and public health, as well as expanded access to supported vaccine clinics and trained healthcare providers. 

Access Resources

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Affiliate Highlights 

• Autism Society Indiana is hosting an Autism Family Day on Saturday, August 5th. A day of community and connections including resources, food, sensory tables, fun, music and so much more. 
• Autism Society Tidewater is hosting the 2023 Surfers Healing 5K on Saturday, August 19th. Learn to surf, create connections, and have fun in the sun! 
• Autism Society Texas will host their Statewide Support Meeting on Wednesday, August 23rd, an online support group for parents and caregivers. This monthly gathering offers a chance for individuals to meet other parents in an informal setting to exchange information, share stories and connect. 

Connect

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Visit our website!