New Mobility's Biweekly Newsletter -- April 15

April 15, 2021 

TRENDING

Wheelchair Win or Umbrella Fail?

Over the years we’ve gotten used to social media videos of improbable — and highly impractical — wheelchair prototypes. But a folding wheelchair where the wheels fold up like an umbrella is definitely a new one. Watch this short video of a nondisabled Italian inventor and his “Revolve Air” wheelchair and let us know, is there any possible world where this is a good idea?

PRODUCTS

Quickie’s Nitrum Manual Wheelchair Dials Up the Features

With the Nitrum, Quickie aims to pack as much as possible into an ultralightweight rigid wheelchair. Features include ovalized tubing engineered for push efficiency, a unique caster adjustment system and integrated LED lights that offer a little bit of bling. Click the link to learn more and see a video of the chair in action.

SURVEY OPPORTUNITY

New Mobility COVID-19 Vaccination Survey

With COVID-19 vaccinations continuing to ramp up, we want to hear from individuals with spinal cord injury/disorder. Whether you’re already vaccinated, all for it but still waiting your turn or hesitant about receiving it, please take a couple of minutes to fill out our survey. Your responses could help shape how vaccine information is shared with our community.

PLEASE REMAIN SEATED

Elevator Etiquette

When you’re sitting in an elevator and a nondisabled person starts rushing to get to the door before it closes, what do you do? Mat Barton’s latest comic has Frank showing newly injured Karl the ropes on this all-too-common situation.

Click here to read more of this issue of 

New Mobility's Newsletter! 

Free Webinar: Voice-Enable your LMS & Virtual Learning Program

Voice-Enable your LMS 

& Virtual Learning Program

Date: April 22, 2021

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ET

Cost: Free! 

(You must register to receive the Zoom link)

Register Now!

Target Audience: Online Education Leaders, Academic Technologists, Instructional Designers, Special Education Teachers, Assistive Technology Directors, General Education Teachers

Pivoting away from the traditional classroom in 2020 has shown teachers, parents, and students that we have some work to do to make online learning equitable and accessible to every single student. ReadSpeaker is committed to adding a voice (or an instant audiobook) across a school's online learning environment. ReadSpeaker's integrations require no downloads and no passwords and have become a vital study aide for students across the country.

Participants will learn:

• How 1-Click listening to course content in Google Classroom or a school's learning management system works
• Why ReadSpeaker's usage has increased 40% since the start of the pandemic
• How students use ReadSpeaker to study, block out online distractions and listen to course material offline

ReadSpeaker will be rolling out a no-cost Teacher Program this Summer/Fall.  Individual teachers can sign up for a classroom account of TextAid.  This digital workplace for students will read aloud documents and student-created content. Giving students the option to listen to readings from class helps improve comprehension and help with literacy skills.  The easy to use accessibility tools such as the reading ruler, open dyslexic font, and enlarge text will assit students across the board.  A teacher training session with the ReadSpeaker team will be provided to train teachers in how to use TextAid and support their students.  The classroom license will be available for 6 months.

2021 Hopes and Dreams Conference

We are delighted to announce our Hopes and Dreams Conference will be held May 24 - 27, 2021! The annual conference offers professionals, family members, and self-advocates the opportunity to learn more about resources and support available to the special needs community. 

We are hosting this year's four-day conference in an exciting, all-new virtual format. Each day, Family Connection will present four targeted training topics including Early Childhood, Child and Youth, Parenting, and presentations in Spanish. Choose one or more sessions on the days and times that work best for you! 

Guest speakers will share reflections on a challenging year, important updates, and inspirational ideas as we look to the future. 

Exhibitors from organizations across the state will host interactive sessions to present new information and answer questions and concerns. Exhibitors: deadline to register is May 14th--register now! 

Register Here!

Conference Schedule

If you know a family who could benefit from Family Connection's services, make a referral below. Please consider making a donation to help us serve more families in South Carolina! 

Make a Referral

Donate

1-800-578-8750

Para Espanol 1-888-808-7462

info@familyconnectionsc.org 

Help for Social Isolation

 

Social Isolation is a real thing and has drastically limited social contact in nearly every part of our lives. It affects social support systems for older adults, families, workers, students and at-risk populations.

To help reduce social isolation, the SC Assistive Technology Program has 2 GrandPads and 6 iPads and iPads minis with FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Facebook Messenger, Microsoft Teams and if you have a subscription, Sling apps to help people stay connected. You will be able to borrow these for 3 months.

To borrow an iPad with Skype, FaceTime and Zoom apps, go to the SCATP device loan webpage and download the Loan Agreement Form: https://scatp.med.sc.edu/services/device-loans/ . Fill out the form and return to us. We need two different phone numbers. Please be sure and sign page 2 & 3. You can fax, scan and email, or mail to us. On the Fax cover page write what you want to borrow: iPad with FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Facebook Messenger, Microsoft Teams and if you have a subscription, Sling apps, case, and charging cord.

If you have any questions, please contact Billfred Leverette at Billfred.leverette@uscmed.sc.edu or 803-935-5362.

National Assistive Technology Awareness Day is Today!

Join the SC Assistive Technology Program 

in celebrating 

National and South Carolina 

Assistive Technology Awareness Day, 

April 14, 2021

You can contact us at 803-935-5263 or janet.lambert@uscmed.sc.edu to learn more about what the SC Assistive Technology Program has to offer. 

Device Reuse

The SCATP Reuse Service can help individuals acquire used assistive technology, including durable medical equipment, for free. Call (803) 935-5273 or email Alli Upchurch to see if we have what you are looking for and to donate used equipment. To donate, please call (803) 935-5273 and make an appointment to drop off your donations at the SCATP Warehouse. If you are unable to come to our facility, we can pick up the equipment from you. SCATP also offers open-ended loans of working, but outdated equipment to people waiting on delivery of new equipment or people receiving hospice services.

Device Exchange

SCATP provides an online recycling database, the South Carolina Assistive Technology Exchange, to help citizens with disabilities and older people with functional limitations find affordable assistive technology devices and equipment. 

Device Loan

SCATP offers a short-term device loan program that is available to anyone in the state of South Carolina. The SCATP Device Loan Program increases access to AT by allowing people with disabilities, their family members and service providers to try out different AT options before making the decision to purchase, or in some cases, the decision not to purchase AT. In this way, types and features of different devices can be compared during real-life situations and activities (e.g., in the classroom, at home or work).

The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) is accepting loan applications for three power wheelchairs and three manual wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are available for up to a six-week loan to individuals with paralysis.  SCATP’s “Mobility Independence Project” is funded by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. There is no fee to borrow one of the wheelchairs.  For more information about the “Mobility Independence Project” and to learn how to complete the application and schedule delivery of a wheelchair, please contact us at 803-935-5263 or carol.page@uscmed.sc.edu or tammy.wallace@uscmed.sc.edu . 

Device Demonstration

The SCATP AT Resource Center in Columbia offers opportunities for hands-on trial, self-paced learning, and AT demonstration, with the most comprehensive inventory of AT items in the state. Staff members are present to provide applicable assistive technology resources and guidance.

State Leadership Activities

SCATP staff travels across the state to present, exhibit and train. Technical assistance is provided to various agencies who help people with disabilities. Public awareness activities include SCATP's annual statewide AT Expo, distributing program brochures, flyers, and fact sheets to promote AT services.

Is your way of “helping” feeding into benevolent ableism?

 

Let’s talk about benevolent ableism. 

First, what is benevolent ableism? Let’s start with defining ableism. Like racism, ableism is a societal issue where people are discriminated against because of their disability.  

Benevolent ableism is when individuals, typically with good intentions, set apart people with disabilities (often unintentionally) by trying to help, but in doing so, feed into stigmas that people with disabilities aren’t as “able” as everyone else. Below are some examples of how service providers may exhibit benevolent ableism. 

Benevolent ableism in action 

• Restricting your consumer to low-level employment options rather than all types of jobs they are qualified for, including upper-level positions.  
• Making decisions for your consumer rather than supporting the consumer to make their own decisions.  
• Overly praising an individual for completing a simple task. 
• Making assumptions about what tasks your consumer can’t do rather than asking them. 
• Not giving constructive criticism for a fear of hurting a consumer’s feelings.  

As a service provider, it’s important you empower the people you work with and provide the assistance that’s required of your job without crossing the line into benevolent ableism. The easiest way to change these behaviors is to embrace inclusion and treat all individuals like equals, disability or not. Learn more about how you can change the culture in your workplace and encourage other service providers to do the same. 

Below are some great resources to begin learning more about benevolent ableism:  

• Benevolent Ableism exists, and here is what you need to know about it.  
• Benevolent Ableism: when help isn't helping.  
• What is the relationship between disability employment and ableism?  
• Service Provider Resources

About Hire Me SC 

People with disabilities can work, want to work, and should be afforded every opportunity to work. Powered by Able South Carolina and SCDEC, Hire Me SC is a campaign that promotes a culture of inclusion across the state of South Carolina, one in which employment for every individual, disability or not, is the norm rather than the exception. Learn more at www.hiremesc.org. 

FREE equipment available!

SCATP has lots of equipment to help 
with daily living & mobility! 

All of the equipment is FREE! 

Each picture is linked with more information, if available.

Please contact Alli Upchurch at alli.upchurch@uscmed.sc.edu 

if you see a piece of equipment that you need. 

Shower chair

Commode transport chair

Sliding transfer bench

PVC shower chair

Transfer board

Rollator

We also have bedside commodes, 

2-wheel walkers, & bed safety rails available!

http://scatp.med.sc.edu/ 

Phone: 803-935-5273/ Fax: 803-935-5342/ 

Toll Free: 800-915-4522

Let's talk about race + disability

If you are a person of color with a disability, between the ages of 17-25, we invite you to discuss and share your experiences together in our listening sessions!

Register for a Listening Session

720 Gracern Road Suite 106 | Columbia, South Carolina 29210

803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org 

SC State Library-Talking Books Services joins SCATP

A Morning AT The Zoo With SCATP & SCSL-TBS

Date: Thursday, April 15th 

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Cost: Free!

Speakers: SCSL-TBS Assistive Technology Petting Zoo Team

Register Now!

As a network library of the National Library Service for The Blind & Print Disabled, the South Carolina State Library – Talking Book Services division (SCSL-TBS) also sponsors an Assistive Technology Petting Zoo (ATPZ) of equipment and supplies uniquely suited to helping libraries statewide make their existing collections more accessible.  However, the most unique feature of the program in general is the proprietary device known as the Talking Book Machine.  Join ATPZ staffers Allie Lovette and Amber Sanders as they demonstrate how to properly use the machine, how qualified residents of our state can become patrons and receive library services free of charge, and how library staff and patrons alike can utilize items available from the SCATP to make their library experience more enjoyable.

Speakers: Allie Lovette and Amber Sanders work as a Reader Advisor and Reader Advisory Assistant (respectively) for the SCSL-TBS.  As a team, they conduct activities and trainings related to the SCSL-TBS Assistive Technology Petting Zoo.  The goal of this initiative is to show library staff, patrons and other stakeholders statewide how to make their holdings accessible with as little manipulation as possible, maintaining the integrity of the items for future generations to utilize in their original formats.

 

Gaming Groups! + other ways to get involved

Many of America's schools aren't fully accessible 

for students with disabilities 

Two-thirds of U.S. public school districts have potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Many facilities fall short by maintaining building conditions that create physical barriers. We also know that many schools have challenges with providing consistent, accessible online communication and web-based content. 

While it is understandable that adaptations need to be made during conditions such as the current pandemic, it is still essential that every student receives access to an education that meets their academic, social, and physical needs. Barriers that keep students from being fully integrated into school life, and those that impede learning are both illegal and unethical. 

At Able SC we offer consulting and assessment services that assist schools and other organizations in making their physical spaces accessible, as well as adapting digital content into accessible formats. In addition, we offer services to address policies and procedures to protect and meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. 

To find out more about these programs and how we can help make South Carolina accessible for all learners, contact Amy Shapley ashapley@able-sc.org. 

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Able SC Social Skills Gaming Group! 

Join our social skills gaming club! 

🎮👾 

THE DETAILS: Social skills gaming group for 13-17 year old students. Participants MUST be in school. You will learn social skills needed to create and maintain friendships while playing games and having fun! The groups will meet on every Tuesday ONLINE for 1 hour starting April 6th and ending April 27th. The 13-17 year old group will be from 4-5pm. Games that will be played include: Pictionary, Charades, 5 Second Rule, Codenames, and Taboo. 

Register here!

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You have until April 30 to apply for the 

2021 South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum! 

Dates: July 25-30, 2021 

SC YLF 2021 will be online due to the pandemic, but will be just as fun and engaging as years before! 

If you are interested in attending but not sure what your plans are for July 2021, you can now fill out an interest form. Once you fill this form out, you will be contacted by a YLF staff member much closer to the time in the hope that your plans for July are much clearer and you will be able to attend! 

Learn more and apply!

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Register for Advocacy Day 2021! 

Like last year, our annual Advocacy Day for Access & Independence will be held entirely online on the scheduled date of April 21, 2021 in order to remain safe and responsible as the pandemic continues. Advocacy Day isn’t possible without the participation of the community, which is why we are excited to expand our reach digitally with people all across the state and nation! Register to receive the livestream.  

Register for Advocacy Day!

Learn how to keep yourself safe - FREE Online Training

How do you keep yourself safe? Do you lock your doors and windows? Keep your passwords secret? Register for a free training to learn how to protect yourself from crime, theft, and abuse. 

Join us online on Monday, April 12, 2021, from 3-4 PM to learn about: 

• theft, fraud, and interpersonal violence, 
• warning signs 
• tips to keep yourself safe, 
• and more! 

Register here!

Registration will close on Sunday, April 11.

We will email you the Zoom link and materials 

on the morning of April 12. 

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

803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org 

Free Assistive Technology Webinars

The Accessible Technology Coalition 

compiles this listing of free webinars from around the Web! 

Follow the ATC Facebook page for late additions. 

AT Webinars - Adults, AAC, and General

AAC Talk (Using AAC Devices to Access Environmental Controls) from SETC

April 8, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern

Communication Options for People With ALS from the ALS Assn.

April 19, 2021 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

Accessibility for Web Content Authors from ATAP

April 28, 2021 at 11:30am Pacific, 2:30pm Eastern

Diversity in AAC Apps from ISAAC

April 28, 2021 4pm Pacific, 7pm Eastern

AT Webinars - K-12

AT Chatter: Reading & Writing Support for Low Incidence from SETC

April 7, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern

Proactive Interventions and Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders from AbleNet

April 8, 2021 at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern

Tools to Support Decoding, Word Identification and Spelling from SETC

April 13, 2021 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

Let’s Explore Writing Resources for All Students from SETC

April 14, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern

Alternative Access For iPads and Computers from SETC

April 19, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern

Google Chrome for Students : Part 3: Tools for Notetaking and Writing from PACER

April 27, 2021 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

Making Worksheets Accessible from SETC

April 28, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern

Consideration: Resources to find AT Answers from AbleNet

April 29, 2021 at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern 

Decision-making & Students Who Need Accessible Formats from AEM Center

April 29, 2021 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

AT Webinars - for Youth

Tech for Teens Club : Intro to Coding & Video Games from PACER

April 3, 2021 at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern (90 min.)

Tech for Girls Club : The Science of Taste from PACER

April 24, 2021at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern

#CelebrateDifferences for Autism Acceptance Month 👏

April is Autism Acceptance Month!

Today, the Autism Society of America kicks-off Autism Acceptance Month, and our mission to #CelebrateDifferences as we work to build an inclusive society where individuals with autism live fully through connection and acceptance.  

While April is typically referred to as Autism Awareness Month, the Autism Society network and partners have been tirelessly advocating to lawmakers to federally designate April as Autism Acceptance Month. We applaud our 75 affiliates who are successfully advocating for proclamations at the state level, and have already seen wins in Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Hawaii, Ohio and Kentucky, just to name a few!

Awareness leads to acceptance, which ignites change across our quest for equitable human rights in healthcare, employment, housing, and much needed supports and services.

With your help we not only #CelebrateDifferences, but acknowledge and accept the autism community’s differences to adapt, accommodate, and ignite change.

SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS

Triple Your Impact Thanks to 

Make Waves Family Foundation 

Thanks to our matching partner, Make Waves Family Foundation, your donation will be TRIPLED for new and increased giving now through April 8th. If you are a new donor, your gift will be tripled. Gave $20 last time? Bump it to $25, and Make Waves will give $75. Make the most impact by donating today to help us reach our $200,000 goal for Autism Acceptance Month. 

TRIPLE YOUR GIFT

Attend Our Autism Acceptance Month 

Self-Advocate Panel

Join our Facebook Live episode featuring autistic self advocates today at 4pm EST, with Anthony Ianni, Chloe Rothschild and Kris Guin, who will discuss the importance of acceptance, and how we can build a more inclusive society.  

ATTEND FREE EVENT

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