SCATP Webinar: Expanding Expression: A Multi-Sensory Approach for Oral & Written Language

SCATP is hosting a webinar entitled 

“Expanding Expression: A Multi-Sensory Approach

 for Oral and Written Language” 

Date: October 13, 2022

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. 

Place: Zoom Webinar

Cost: FREE (Registration is required to receive the Zoom confirmation email)

Registration: Participants must register to receive the webinar link. 

REGISTER NOW!

About the Program

The Expanding Expression Tool (EET) is a multi-sensory approach used to facilitate more detailed descriptions and definitions. The tool targets oral expression, vocabulary comprehension, similarities and differences, written expression, associations, categorization, functions and more. After a brief literature review (the brain, how children learn, and the norms for defining), the Expanding Expression Tool is introduced with multiple language activities and student samples provided.

Learner Outcomes 

Participants will be able to:

• Teach students a multi-sensory approach for including more details in their definitions, descriptions, and writing.
• Explain how to use strategies to target the following areas: categorization, function, appearance, composition, associated parts, location, and similarities and differences.
• Explain how to collect baseline data and monitor progress using the program.
• Complete a curriculum-based lesson using a language tool. 

About the Presenter

Sara L. Smith, MS, CCC-SLP

Sara L. Smith, MS, CCC-SLP, is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist and founder of the Expanding Expression Tool™ (EET). She began her career in the Bay City Public Schools (Michigan) where she focused on developing and teaching language strategies to facilitate academic success. Her interest and continued study of language processing and multi-sensory approaches to learning have led to her development of the Expanding Expression Program for improved oral and written language. As a national speaker, Sara provides insight into learning and demonstrates strategies to use with all children. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Central Michigan University and her Master’s Degree from Bowling Green State 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 at 803-935-5263. 

https://sc.edu/medicine/scatp

Phone: 803-935-5301 | Fax: 803-935-5342 | Toll Free: 800-915-4522

Employer Summit 2022: SHRM and HRCI Credits Approved

Registration closes on 

Wednesday, October 12 at 5 pm! 

Registration Fee: $75

Discounts for businesses that register 5 or more! 

Contact hiremesc@able-sc.org for details. 

The 2022 Employer Summit is approved for 

4.5 hours of SHRM and HRCI credits. 

Topics will follow the 2022 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Theme: 

Disability: Part of the Equity Equation 

Learn more about our speakers

Check out the Agenda

Join us for the 2022 Employer Summit, a conference for business managers, executives, and HR professionals looking to hire and retain a workforce inclusive of people with disabilities. 

The Employer Summit will show you how including individuals with disabilities will strengthen your workforce. 

This year’s event boasts Jim Sinocchi, former IMB Executive and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Managing Director and Head of Disability Inclusion, as the keynote speaker. 

To accommodate a larger audience this will be a hybrid event that offers both online and in-person attendance to the same event. 

Register for the Employer Summit

What to expect at the in-person event: 

• The same sessions, speakers, and content as the online event 
• Spending 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM at the Phillips Market Center in West Columbia, SC 
• Catered lunch with food trucks to choose from 
• In-person networking 
• Service providers at information booths 

What to expect at the online event: 

• The same sessions, speakers, and content as the in-person event, recorded live and streamed through Zoom  
• Spending 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM on Zoom on your computer, with a break for lunch 
• Interaction/networking with online participants through the Zoom chat functions 
• Online resources 

Meet our Buddy Walk Ambassadors!

Meet the Brady Family!

 

The Brady family of Columbia is serving as Ambassadors for this year's Buddy Walk! The Bradys have supported Buddy Walk since 2019, and are excited to serve in this volunteer role. 

"We encourage Buddy Walk families to join us and our team, Dade's Aviators, in raising funds in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the mission of Family Connection" says Dade's mom, Heather Brady. 

Catch a glimpse into a day at the park with the Brady family. You will see Dade is an outgoing 3-year-old ready to offer an energetic smile to everyone he meets! 

Watch the Video!

We are proud to announce...  

Our Buddy Walk 2022 Presenting Sponsor is Zingers Fencing! Zingers is a veteran sponsor of Buddy Walk and a proud supporter of the Loving Lizzy team. We are so grateful to have them return for this exciting Buddy Walk year! Thank you Zingers and to all of the supporters Loving Lizzy! 

Fundraising Challenge 

October is here, and that means it’s time to start or rev up your fundraising! For every $20 raised from Tuesday, October 4 to Sunday, October 9 at 11:59 p.m. you will receive a chance to win a $25 Gift Card restaurant gift card you can use at Liberty Tap Room, Rioz Brazillian Steakhouse, Pearl Oyster Bar, or Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe! Get excited to support Buddy Walk and to qualify for more prizes on Buddy Walk day! 

Speaking of prizes: Check out the scorecard in the Team Captain Packet on our Team Captain Resource Page. Track the points you raise for each step in your fundraising efforts, then share your results with us before the big day. Team Captains with the tops scores will receive a prize on Buddy Walk Day! 

Attention Tailgaters! 

Interested in tailgating at Buddy Walk? Review our Tailgating Guidelines and reserve your spots by Friday, October 28th! 

We Need You!

We are so happy to be hosting an in-person event this year and we want to create a great event day for everyone! How can you help? Contact us if you can assist with any of these event needs: 

• Use of two golf carts to offer rides to families parking in the overflow lot. 
• Donations of concessions for our large crowd! Hot dogs, sandwiches, chips, cookies--any goodies that are crowd pleasers are welcome! Large donors will be recognized as a food sponsor of this event. Thank you to Pepsico for donating beverages! 
• Raffle Prizes: donations of goods and services valued at $50 or more are needed to make our raffle table extra special this year! 
• Vendor and sponsor opportunities are still available! 

Contact us if you can help or if you have questions! 

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Buddy Walk 2022

Saluda Shoals Park Athletic Fields

Sunday, November 6th

Vendors and Tailgaters Arrive: 11:00 a.m.

Family Fun Activities: 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Walk around the Fields: 2:00 p.m. 

Closing Ceremony and Awards: 2:30 p.m. 

Register Now!

Team Captain Resource Page

Join Buddy Walk Facebook Group

Sponsor and Vendor Sign up

Buddy Walk is part of our Down Syndrome Awareness activities. Funds raised at Buddy Walk support programs and services provided by Family Connection. Funds also support the National Down Syndrome Society. 

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor: 

Thanks also to our Event Sponsors: 

Family of Richard B. Perkins

Ongoing Sponsor: 

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Family Connection of South Carolina

1-800-578-8750

Para Espanol 1-888-808-7462

info@familyconnectionsc.org

Over the Counter Hearing Aids

 

In August 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a rule allowing the sale of hearing aids over the counter. This new rule will increase access to hearing health for adults ages 18 and older.

What are Over the Counter (OTC) hearing aids?  

Over the counter hearing aids are a new category of hearing device that a consumer can purchase without needing a prescription from a healthcare provider. Like prescription hearing aids, OTC hearing aids make sounds louder so that individuals wearing them can hear better & communicate more effectively.

Who will benefit from OTC hearing aids?  

Over the counter hearing aids are intended for use by adults who have mild to moderate hearing loss. They are not meant for children and are not meant for individuals with severe hearing loss.

 

What are symptoms of mild to moderate hearing loss?  

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, you may have mild to moderate hearing loss if,  

• Speech or other sounds seem muffled.  
• You have trouble hearing when you’re in a group, in a noisy area, on the phone, or when you can’t see who is talking.  
• You have to ask others to speak more slowly or clearly, to talk louder, or to repeat what they said.  
• You turn up the volume higher than other people prefer when watching TV or listening to the radio or music.

When are OTC hearing aids available?  

OTC hearing aids will be available for purchase as soon as mid-October, 2022.   

More info is available on OTC Hearing Aids, Hearing Aids & Hearing Loss

Source: National Counsel on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders Over the Counter Hearing Aids

What's Up with the New Boosters?

Bivalent- What's Up with the New Boosters? 

In September 2022 the FDA and CDC approved a new, updated booster for people over age 12 to fight COVID-19. The new booster will fight COVID-19 variants that can make you very sick. You need your new booster to stay healthy this fall and winter! 

Able SC is hosting a barrier-free clinic for COVID-19 

& flu shots on October 7 

Register for Able SC's Clinic Here!

If it's been 2 months since your last COVID-19 dose or booster, it's time to get the NEW, updated booster shot! 

If you do not have your updated booster shot, you are not protected from COVID-19, severe sickness, and death. 

Keep reading to learn more about it. 

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What is the difference between bivalent and monovalent shots? 

• A monovalent vaccine has ingredients that fight one strain of a virus. The COVID-19 monovalent vaccines and boosters were made to fight the original COVID-19 virus. 
• A bivalent vaccine has ingredients that fight two strains of a virus. The original COVID-19 vaccines were monovalent. Monovalent means they fight only one mRNA strain of the COVID-19 virus. The updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters contain MRNA from 1)The original SARS-CoV-2 virus, and 2) a strain of the Omicron variant to fight against BA.4 and BA.5. 

Why is a bivalent booster important?

• The updated boosters will provide more protection against the COVID-19 virus. They provide more protection because they have two mRNA strains that teach your body how to fight the virus. Scientists use mRNA from the original COVID-19 virus. The mRNA from the original COVID-19 virus increases the protection you get from your first vaccines. They add mRNA that fights the BA.4 and BA5 variants. The BA.4 and BA5 variants are making most people sick right now. Scientists expect these variants will continue infecting people into the fall and winter of 2022. 

Does the bivalent booster have different side effects?  

• Side effects from the bivalent boosters are similar to the side effects from the original monovalent vaccines. 
• Most side effects are redness and swelling where you got your vaccine. You may also have fatigue, headache, fever, and joint pain. 

Who should get a booster shot? 

People 5 years and older should get at least 1 booster shot after completing their COVID-19 vaccine primary series.* Your primary vaccine series is either one shot of J&J or 2 shots of Moderna, Pfizer, or Novavax vaccines. 

• *People ages 5 to 11 that got the Moderna vaccine for your primary vaccine series are not eligible for a booster shot. 

You should get the new bivalent booster shot if you: 

• Are 12 years or older. 
• It has been 2 months or longer since you had your last dose. 

You should get the monovalent booster shot if you: 

• Are between the ages of 5 and 11 
• Got the Pfizer vaccine for your primary vaccine series 
• It has been at least 5 months since your 2nd dose 

Which booster shot(s) should I get? 

Children and Youth ages 5 to 17: 

• Children 5 years old and older should get a single booster shot. 
• If you are 5 to 11 years old and got the Pfizer vaccine for your primary vaccine series, you can get the Pfizer monovalent booster shot. 
• If you are 12 to 17 years old, you can get the Pfizer bivalent booster shot. 
• If you are under 12 and got the Moderna vaccine for your primary vaccine series, you should not get a booster shot. 

What if my child already got 1 monovalent booster shot? 

If it has been 2 months or longer since their last shot, and they are at least 12 years old, then your child is eligible to get the bivalent booster. 

What if my child has a weakened immune system and already got 2 monovalent booster shots? 

If it has been 2 months or longer since their last shot, and they are at least 12 years old, then your child is eligible to get the bivalent booster. 

People ages 18 and older: 

If you are 18 or older, you can get the bivalent booster if it has been 2 months or longer since 

• You finished your primary vaccine series 
• You got a booster shot 

There are 2 bivalent boosters, one is Pfizer, and the other is Moderna. 

• It does not matter which brand you get. 
• For your primary vaccine series, your options are Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, or Novavax. 

I already got the monovalent booster shot. Can I still get a bivalent booster? 

If it has been at least 2 months since your last booster shot, you can get the Bivalent booster. 

I already got 2 doses of the monovalent booster shot. Can I still get a bivalent booster? 

• If you are 50 years old or older or have a moderately or severely compromised immune system, you may have already gotten 2 monovalent booster shots. 
• As long as it has been at least 2 months since your last booster, you are eligible for the new bivalent booster. 
• Note: If you had to get a certain vaccine because you are allergic to one of the ingredients in other COVID-19 vaccines, then talk to your doctor about booster options. 

When should I get my booster shots? 

• When you should get your booster shot depends on your age and when you finished your primary vaccine series or got your last dose. 
• Children ages 5 to 11 years old, who got the Pfizer vaccine, can get the the Pfizer monovalent booster 5 months after finishing their primary vaccine series. 
• People 12 years old and older can get the bivalent booster 2 months after finishing your primary vaccine series or getting your last booster. 
• If you have had an allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine ingredient in the past, then your doctor may tell you to not get that vaccine. 
• If you have been instructed not to get one type of COVID-19 vaccine, you may still be able to get another type. 

Talk to your doctor to find out which

COVID-19 vaccine booster is best for you. 

Booster shots add the protection you need. Getting your vaccine and booster shots at the prescribed time will help you stay up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccine. 

www.SCDisabilityVaccine.org

Contact our Vaccine Access Helpline at 1-800-787-6046. 

Sources: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 11). Symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 22, 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.htm 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, July 20). People with Disabilities. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 23, 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/humandevelopment/covid-19/people-with-disabilities.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, July 11). Patient Tips: Healthcare Provider Appointments for Post-COVID Conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 8, 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/post-covid-appointment/index.htm 

National Council on Disability. (2021, October 29). The Impact of COVID-19 on People with Disabilities. National Council on Disability. Retrieved August 23, 2022 from https://ncd.gov/sites/default/files/NCD_COVID-19_Progress_Report_508.pdf 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 22). CDC Recommends Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine for Adolescents. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from  https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0822-novax-vaccine.html 

Cunningham, J. (2022, February 7). Study shows persistent antibodies in infants after COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. Massachusetts General Hospital. Retrieved August 31, 2022 from https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/study-shows-persistent-antibodies-in-infants-after-covid-19-vaccination-in-pregnancy 

Jamieson, D. and Rasmusse, S. (2022, July 14). Covid-19 Vaccination during Pregnancy — Two for the Price of One. The New England Journal of Medicine. Retrieved August 31, 2022 from https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2206730 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 17). Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions. Retrieved from  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html 

Reno, J. (2021, July 6). Vaccine Side Effects vs. COVID-19 Damage? There’s No Comparison. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/vaccine-side-effects-vs-covid-19-damage-theres-no-comparison 

Ferreira, V. and Solera J. (2022, August 4). Immunocompromised in the Omicron Era. Retrieved August 31st, 2022 from https://microbiologycommunity.nature.com/posts/immunocompromised-in-the-omicron-era 

Food and Drug Administration (2022) “COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine Boosters. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-bivalent-vaccine-boosters 

Food and Drug Administration (2022), FDA News Release: “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines as a Booster.” August 31, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022 from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-moderna-pfizer-biontech-bivalent-covid-19-vaccines-use 

Sick-Samuels, A., M.D., M.P.H., and Messina, A., M.D. (2022, June 2022). COVID Vaccine: What Parents Need to Know. Retrieved August 23, 2022 from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid19-vaccine-what-parents-need-to-know 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, July 11). Patient Tips: Healthcare Provider Appointments for Post-COVID Conditions. Retreived August 17, 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/post-covid-appointment/index.html. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 8). Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters. Retrieved September 8, 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html.

CLA Virtual Course for People with Disabilities and Families Begins Tomorrow!

The USC Aphasia Lab is hosting a Community Leadership Course with Able SC, sponsored by the SC Developmental Disabilities Council for people with disabilities and family members of individuals with disabilities, teaching them how to serve on boards, councils, committees, and commissions. Most importantly, this six-week course teaches people with disabilities and family members how to develop advocacy, leadership, and self-advocacy skills. These skills are essential for people with disabilities to thrive and co-lead the direction of their lives alongside family members. This course helps individuals learn how to lead and advocate, develop professionalism, soft skills, communication strategies (traditional and non-traditional), understand financial statements, networking, disability culture, and rights, and serve in the community using disability pride and confidence!

The USC Aphasia Lab has kindly offered to open its course to others in the community who want to participate virtually. The course will consist of six 1 ½ hour classes with breaks from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Tuesdays, from October 4 to November 8, 2022, on Zoom. Please share with your clients, community partners, and family members!

The accessible digital flyer is below with the registration link in the flyer:

https://ablesouthcarolina.salsalabs.org/communityleadershipacademy2022fall/index.html

People may request reasonable accommodations in the registration.

Please email Dori Tempio at dtempio@able-sc.org 

if you have any questions!

 

Nurturing Developing Minds Conference Call for Proposals

 Final Call for Proposals for the 2023 

Nurturing Developing Minds Conference

The call for proposals for the 2023 Desmond P. Kelly, MD Nurturing Developing Minds Conference & Research and Implementation Symposium is open until September 30, 2022. We are in search of sessions and/or posters to present at our early childhood conference next year, in Greenville, South Carolina at the Greenville ONE Center (we intend to provide both in-person and hybrid virtual learning opportunities).

We encourage broad consideration of our theme, "Restoration, Resilience & Rebuilding." Following are the concepts to guide you in developing your submittal:

• Early childhood programs 
• Promoting healthy child development 
• Autism and developmental disabilities 
• Special healthcare needs/chronic illness management 

Top 3 Reasons to Book the Conference:

1. It's represented by a cross-sector (researchers, medical practitioners, educators, and policymakers) of professions. 
2. There's strong support for early career professionals and professionals outside of academia. 
3. The accepted session presenters receive free registration for the full event.

#2023NDM

Submit Your Proposal by 9/30 

www.instituteforchildsuccess.org

ecmeasures.instituteforchildsuccess.org

Emergency Preparation: Kit for Service Animals & Pets

During an emergency, it is important that you have a plan to protect your pets & service animals; they are dependent upon you for survival and a successful outcome. Follow a few simple steps to help your animal companion and/or service animal during times of emergency:  

• If you need to evacuate your home, so does your pet. Avoid leaving animals behind.  
• Research beforehand which shelters and hotels in your area accept animal guests. Some accept service animals only.  
• Include supplies for your animal in your Emergency Preparedness kit (read more about making a basic kit here) or pack a kit specifically for your pet. Below are instructions for packing such a kit.  

Emergency kit for your Pet / Service Animal

Items should be packed in a sturdy, durable container which can be easily carried & is stored in an accessible location in your home. The kit for your pet should include:  

• Sturdy leash, harness, and collar  
• Pet carrier  
• Food, drinking water and bowls to last several days  
• Litter and pan (for those with cats)  
• Medications & copies of important medical records – make sure to include vaccination records!  
• Current photos – this is important in case of an accidental separation  
• A pet bed and toys  
• Name and phone number of veterinarian(s)  

To ensure the best outcome for you and your family – including your pet – plan ahead of an emergency. For additional resources visit SCEMD, Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies or Red Cross, Pet Disaster Preparedness.  

Source: Red Cross, Pet Disaster Preparedness

COVID-19 Was Leading Killer Of People With Developmental Disabilities

by Shaun Heasley | September 26, 2022

New research finds that people with developmental disabilities were much more likely to die from COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic than others.

A review of death certificates nationwide for 2020 shows that COVID-19 was the top cause of death among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

By comparison, the virus was the third leading cause of death following heart disease and cancer for those without such disabilities.

“Even when we adjusted for age, sex and racial-ethnic minority status, we found that COVID-19 was far deadlier for those with IDD than those without,” said Scott Landes, an associate professor of sociology at Syracuse University and lead author of the study published this month in the Disability and Health Journal. “Furthermore, people with IDD were dying at much younger ages.”

Click here to read more. 

Vote For the #StrongWheeled in Our Community

#StrongWheeled Together Finalists 

Our amazing line-up of nominees for United Spinal’s #StrongWheeled Together Awards need your support now more than ever!

These talented individuals represent United Spinal members who are excelling in the fields of Sports & Recreation, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Writing, and Youth Leadership.

VOTE TODAY!

Voting is easy: just view the videos directly on YouTube, and hit Like on the video you think is the best in the categories mentioned above to register your vote.

Voting will conclude on September 30th. Winners of the Awards will be determined by the videos that received the highest Like totals in each category.

We will formally announce the winners at our November 10th Virtual Gala—make sure to save the date if you have not already. You can register for the gala at https://unitedspinal.org/swt-awards.

Thanks for your support!

You CAN be a leader! Community Leadership Academy Fall 2022!

 

So often, people with disabilities and their family members aren't heard. They aren't regarded as leaders in the community. 

We are here to tell you that you CAN be a leader and an excellent one at that! Sometimes it's just hard to know where to begin. 

Community Leadership Academy (CLA) is a 6-week course designed to teach individuals with disabilities and family members of people with disabilities how to be leaders in their communities around South Carolina. 

The course is divided into six, 1 ½ hour sessions on Zoom that teach individuals ethics and responsibilities, being an effective leader, supporting your community through leadership, professionalism, communicating your message, disability rights, and how to make community entities accessible to people with disabilities. 

At the end of the course, participants will be matched with leadership areas of interest in their communities! 

Spots are reserved for people with disabilities and family members of people with health conditions. If either of those descriptions apply to you, register today! 

Register Today!

CLA Class Schedule: 

The classes will take place from 9 AM-10:30 AM on Zoom: 

• Oct 4, 2022
• Oct 11, 2022
• Oct 18, 2022
• Oct 25, 2022
• Nov 1, 2022
• Nov 8, 2022 

If any community organization would like us to present a course for your clients and family members, please reach out to Dori Tempio at 803-779-5121, or email at dtempio@able-sc.org 

803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org

Back-to-School Resources & Supports

 

Get Ready for Back-To-School 

This September, we're focused on supporting students as they head back to school. We also recognize National Suicide Prevention Month, National Anti-Bullying Prevention Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month. Our public policy resources include details about Disability Voting Rights Week, which is taking place from September 12th-16th. We encourage you to learn more and take action to make an impact. 

Did you know: Research finds that Autistic individuals have a 3 times higher suicide rate than the general population. Autistic people with co-existing psychiatric conditions were found to be at an even significantly higher risk.

Access September Resources

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You're invited to our Fore Autism Golf Classic hosted by Keystone Insurers Group on Wednesday, October 12th 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. The winning team will be invited to play a 72-hole cumulative scramble tournament at the Liberty Mutual Invitational National Finals in Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina. 

Hurry, this event will sell out quickly! Register today to secure your spot. If you're interested in becoming an event sponsor, please email Roger Caldwell at Rcaldwell@GreatGolfEvents.com.

Register Now! 

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Affiliate Highlights

• Autism Society Colorado runs weekly virtual support groups as a place for Autistic adults to connect: one for adults in their 20s & 30s, and one for adults 40+. 
• Autism Society Washington facilitates a Virtual Connections meeting on the third Wednesday of every month. The next meeting topic will cover Guardianship Law Changes scheduled for Sept. 21. 
• Autism Society Greater Phoenix is hosting its annual Global Autism Conference virtually on Sept. 8th-10th. 

Connect

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Visit Our Website

Affordable Gripping Aids

September 15, 2022

PRODUCTS

SCI Social Media Favorite Launches Affordable Adaptive Product Line

One of the web’s best sources for simple adaptive solutions, Abilitease, has launched an online store so you can purchase the affordable products featured in its online videos. Products range from an adapter that makes it easier to plug the charging cable into your iPhone, to a drink cuff that lets you easily hold a can or bottle without any grip strength, to a cap that lets you cath into a urinal with less chance of mess. Click the link for more information and to see a video of one of Abilitease’s innovative products. 

MUSIC

Accessible Festivals Wants to Give You Free Access to Major Music Festivals

You have a chance to score free tickets for some of the biggest music festivals in the country, including Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Stagecoach and more, thanks to a new grant program from Accessible Festivals. This nonprofit partners with music promoters across the country to improve the experience for wheelchair users and others with disabilities, and all the festivals included in the grant program have well-established accessibility programs. 

BULLY PULPIT

My Complicated Relationship With My Body

A series of health setbacks forced Ian Ruder to get honest about his relationship with his body. “I worry that in some way I’m affirming the sinister ableist narrative that all of our disabled bodies are broken, ugly and unlovable — but I’m not,” he writes. “Instead, I’m embracing reality and accepting that the only certainty my body and I can look forward to is more uncertainty.” 

Click here to read more of this issue!