Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Monday, October 18, 2021
Friday, October 15, 2021
Create Opportunities during National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Our October Toolkit focuses on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, employment partners and training models, and Anti-Bullying Month; additionally, we'll continue emphasizing COVID-19 and transitioning to in-person situations. Our policy resources focus on competitive integrated employment and resources for individuals with autism looking for work.
Did you know: Approximately 46% of individuals with ASD have average or above-average intelligence, with IQs above 85? Working alongside autistic individuals can be an enriching and beneficial experience for employers. People with autism can have a range of strengths and abilities including logical thinking, memorizing and learning new information quickly.
- National Disability Awareness Month
- Anti-Bullying Month
- Employment Partners & Training Models
- Covid-19 and Vaccine Support
Affiliate Highlights
The Autism Society network is comprised of 73 affiliates across the country. Highlighted below are just some of the events and programs offered related to our October theme:
- Autism Society Inland Empire is hosting an Autism & Neurodiversity in the Workplace event on October 13th which will consist of a panel of autistic adults & Michael Bernick.
- Autism Society Florida holds an annual Training in Transition conference with a focus on employment and adulthood transitions.
- Autism Society Texas is hosting a Cultivating Autistic Entrepreneurship event on October 18th focused on adults with autism transitioning into the workforce looking to start a business.
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Buddy Walk T-shirt Reveal
Share Smiles: The Buddy Walk 2021 T-shirt!
We are excited to share this year's T-shirt design with you--we hope it makes you smile! Of course, our Special Buddies and sponsors will be recognized on the back.
- If you have already registered and purchased a T-shirt or placed an order for a Special Buddy, you are all set!
- If you registered without purchasing a T-shirt, but would now like to order one or more, click below.
- If you have not registered yet, now is the time. Register here!
- T-shirt order deadline is Monday, October 11th!
- All registered Special Buddies will receive a free t-shirt.
Get Ready for our Multi-Day Virtual Celebration!
- Tune in to our Facebook page on Friday, October 22nd and Saturday, October 23rd.
- Join our ZOOM Celebration Sunday, October 24th at 2:00 p.m.
Each day's brief celebration will feature smiles, family-friendly activities, special guests, and more. We will also present this year's Buddy Walk awards and honor the 2021 Special Buddies!
If you haven't already joined Buddy Walk, Register today as an individual, or start or join a team! Get ready for the virtual celebration--visit our Buddy Walk Team Resources Page to find out how you can share smiles, tell us about a Special Buddy, and earn points to win special prizes!
If you need assistance with registration, view our video tutorial, email Jacki Garbinsky, or call 803-995-1413.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Phyllis Perkins
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Wheelchair Users Making Tech Accessible
October 2021
NEW ISSUE
Celebrating United Spinal Association's 75th Anniversary
United Spinal Association strives to make the world a better place for wheelchair users and has helped revolutionize access to technology, transportation and rehab, to name a few accomplishments. We’ve devoted this issue to United and filled it with stories, posts and infographics in our attempt to showcase 75 years of advocacy and service. We hope you come away as proud as we are.
Smart speakers, speech-to-text, autonomous vehicles, virtual reality … groundbreaking technological innovations like these have never been developed with people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility disabilities in the room. Until now. Check out how wheelchair users are sharing their experiences and insights to help tech companies make their products more accessible from the ground up.
From a group of World War II vets fighting for basic access in New York City to the largest SCI/D organization in the country advocating for full societal inclusion, United Spinal has a history that touches on every aspect of the disability rights movement. Josie Byzek takes a time machine tour to look at the larger-than-life personalities and outsized events that have made us who we are.
VIRTUAL GALA
Register for Our Nov. 10 Celebration
Join us as our guests on Nov. 10, 2021, at 6 p.m. EST, as we celebrate United Spinal Association’s 75th anniversary! Registration for the 75th Virtual Gala is free. Please spread the word and invite your family, friends and network. This celebratory evening is right around the corner, and we look forward to welcoming you as we continue Building an Inclusive World.
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
FREE Webinar Event!
Celebrate National Disability Awareness Month
with us at this FREE webinar event!
October 27, 2021 from 3PM-4PM
We'll provide you with information on:
- FREE Covid-19 services,
- Independent living skills services,
- Employment services, and
- Resources for people with disabilities and health conditions, as well as community providers
- And more!
Monday, October 11, 2021
Keep People with Disabilities Involved!
While people with disabilities are one of the largest minority groups in the United States, they are rarely viewed as a marginalized community. In fact, many initiatives to improve diversity and equity often do not include them. Furthermore, disability occurs across all demographics, including race, ethnicity, age, gender, socioeconomic status, education level, sexual orientation, Etc. When civic engagement events are not accessible for everyone, this can lead to more exclusion.
When participating in civic engagement activities, people with disabilities are empowered to make change and demonstrate their right to freedom of speech. During the marches and rallies held across the country in 2020, we received calls from people with disabilities who wanted to participate and be heard. We intervened, reaching out to the event organizers who needed resources to make their events accessible. We provided guidance and listened to their desire to include everyone.
As a result of the barriers faced by the disability community, we developed this guide. It will provide resources and assistance for event organizers with making civic engagement activities fully accessible. This is a resource that we hope will be valuable to event organizers and members of the disability community.
Able South Carolina
803.779.5121
Friday, October 08, 2021
Youth - Join our Social Gaming Club!
Join Able South Carolina's
social skills gaming club!
The details:
- A Social Skills Gaming Groups, for students between 13 and 21. 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 Thursday ONLINE for 1 hour from October 14th until November 4th.
- Games that will be played include: Pictionary, Charades, 5 Second Rule, Codenames, and Taboo.
Thursday, October 07, 2021
BIAA Webinar Test
Don't miss the next research webinar
on predictors of depression and anxiety after TBI!
One aspect of military TBI is the high occurrence of mental health comorbidities. Join Jacob A. Finn, Ph.D., LP, on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 3 pm ET, as he discusses the prevalence and predictors of depression and anxiety post-TBI in the Department of Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems national database.
Wednesday, October 06, 2021
Free Webinar: New Communication Device
A New Communication Device for
People Who Are Nonverbal
Target Audience: Speech-Language Pathologists, Speech Therapists, Special Education Professionals, Vocational Rehab Professionals and Caregivers for non-verbal persons.
Date: October 14, 2021
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. ET
Cost: Free!
Magitek will present the MagiComTM, a totally new concept providing a means of communication by non-verbal persons.
This patent pending AAC device is a low-cost yet effective means of communicating needs and wants by non-verbal individual, including persons where lower cognition is presented.
The device is extremely easy to learn and use. Communication is in the form of highlighted alphabet letters, images, pictures, phrases and/or words.
Participants will learn:
- How communication can be accomplished without using an expensive and complicated digital speech device. Additionally, it features two ECU outputs and a 100 ft range call alarm.
- How the MagiComTM can be used by two non-verbal individuals simultaneously to converse with each other.
- The device is easily customized for special events such as a Doctor visit, family gatherings, etc.
Speaker: Stephan Lautzenhiser, Co-founder, Magitek, LLC
Following an early career in industrial engineering, specializing in PLC machine controls, Stephan joined his father in Ontario, Canada designing and manufacturing lightweight power wheelchairs.
The initial designs focused on geriatric use which was quickly followed by one of the first lightweight, folding power wheelchairs specifically for pediatric applications. A truly innovative product and commercially known as the Starlight Series.
In 1999, Stephan helped start up Magitek, LLC as inventor and managing member formed for the purpose of designing innovative, non-joystick controls for power wheelchairs. The tilt sensor design was awarded Best New Product at Medtrade 2000 in Orlando, FL, out of over 200 entrants. He has presented at many conferences and trade shows for nearly 20 years. Stephan has been involved with client evaluations and assisting practicing clinicians.
Accommodations:
CART captioning is provided for all SCATP webinars. If you need an additional accommodation to participate in this webinar, please contact the SC Assistive Technology Program at least one week prior to the webinar via e-mail at janet.lambert@uscmed.sc.edu or by calling 803-935-5263.
All SC Assistive Technology Program’s webinars are recorded and archived. If you cannot attend the live session, please go to our training page 24 hours after the webinar and register for the video link and transcript.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the SC Assistive Technology Program at janet.lambert@uscmed.sc.edu or by calling 803-935-5263.
Tuesday, October 05, 2021
Governor McMaster Proclaims October Disability Employment Awareness Month!
How will YOU celebrate
#HappyNDEAM this month?
BREAKING NEWS: South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster proclaimed this October as Disability Employment Awareness Month! By doing so, the governor is sending the message that people with disabilities are capable, contributing members of society, worthy of full access and inclusion in South Carolina's workforce.
MORE ABOUT DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH: Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), aims to educate the public about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. NDEAM is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Learn how you can support NDEAM by visiting the ODEP website here.
The proclamation will be read at Hire Me SC's sixth annual Employer Summit, which will be virtual this year. The summit will convene HR directors and employers with experts in disability, accessibility, and inclusion to talk about hiring and retaining people with disabilities.
How can you celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month?
- Sign the Employment First Pledge! If you support people with disabilities having competitive, integrated employment opportunities in the workforce, sign the pledge to show how we are a growing, strong movement in South Carolina!
- If you are in charge of hiring for your company (you probably have a title that involves HR, operations, admin, or management), attend our 2021 Employer Summit online. Registration closes October 11!
- Participate in our Kendra Scott give back party! Able SC has partnered with Kendra Scott to host a special sale event on Oct. 5 in store, and online Oct. 5-6. Learn more here.
- Lastly, celebrate with education! Visit HireMeSC.org and the Hire Me SC social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn more about the state of disability employment and how you can get involved in our efforts to achieve employment for all!
View the governor's official proclamation here.
Happy NDEAM!🎉
Monday, October 04, 2021
Free Assistive Technology Webinars
This list of free webinars is compiled from around the Web
by the Accessible Technology Coalition.
Follow the ATC Facebook page for late additions.
The SC Assistive Technology Program offers free webinars, too!
K-12 AT Webinars
Top tips for dyslexia and technology from AbilityNet
October 5, 2021 at 5am Pacific, 8am Eastern
October 6, 2021 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern
October 6, 2021 at 4pm Pacific, 7pm Eastern
October 7, 2021 at 1pm Pacific, 4pm Eastern
Clicker to Support UDL Implementation from SETC
October 7, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
AT for Hearing Loss from SETC
October 11, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
AT Chatter: AT for Executive Functioning from SETC
October 14, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
October 16, 2021 at 8am Pacific, 11 am Eastern (90 min.)
October 18, 2021 at 4pm Pacific, 1pm Eastern
October 19, 2021 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern
October 20, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
October 25, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
October 26, 2021 at 12pm Pacific, 9am Eastern
October 30, 2021 at 8am Pacific, 11 am Eastern
AAC Webinars
Getting Families On Board via Tele-AAC with Avaz from ISAAC
October 4, 2021 at 5:30am Pacific, 8:30am Eastern
October 19, 2021 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern
October 28, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
Recently Archived Webinars
- How to create an inclusive workplace from AbilityNet
- Access Granted: Launching (and Re-Launching) Websites That Are Accessible to Everyone from LevelAccess
- Maximizing Chromebooks for Students with Dyslexia / Dysgraphia from DonJohnston
Friday, October 01, 2021
Subject: Q and A Session: Join Us!
We look forward to talking with you!
SC Assistive Technology Program’s Open Forum is a great way to discuss using products, learn about new products, and ask questions in an informal atmosphere.
If you require closed captioning or an American Sign Language Interpreter, please contact Janet Lambert at 803-935-5263 or janet.lambert@uscmed.sc.edu at least 5 days prior to the event.
Date: Tuesday, October 5th, 2021
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM ET
Cost: Free
Meeting ID: 921 0327 6080
Passcode: 360121
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