Friday, July 30, 2021

Announcing the 2021 Employer Summit!

2021 Employer Summit Save the Date Oct 13 2021 10:30am to 3pm Hybrid Event Hire Me SC image

We are so excited to be bringing you the 
2021 Employer Summit 
on October 13! 

Join us for the 2021 Employer Summit, a conference for business managers, executives, and HR professionals looking to hire and retain a workforce inclusive of people with disabilities. 

We know that right now, many of you are focusing on rebuilding: your business, your workforce, your budget, your ways of working. This year's Employer Summit will show you how including individuals with disabilities will strengthen your workforce as you rebuild. 

To accommodate a larger audience in a COVID-safe way, this will be a hybrid event that offers both online and in-person versions of the same event. 

What to expect at the in-person event: 

  • The same sessions, speakers, and content as the online event 
  • Spending 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM at the Phillips Market Center in West Columbia, SC 
  • Catered lunch with three 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 10:30 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 

As South Carolina begins to rebuild its workforce and economy, 

let's make sure we lead with inclusion! 

Get tickets to the Employer Summit!

In-Person Event Tickets: $75 (limited number available)

Online Event Tickets: $50

Vendor Tickets: $100 

SHRM and HRCI credits pending. 

Interested in sponsoring the Employer Summit? 

Email Wendi Spratt at wspratt@able-sc.org to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities. 


Thursday, July 29, 2021

There's still time to join the Art Walk!

 

WHAT A GREAT DAY! 

We had a great day at Soda City on July 10th. We were thrilled to highlight our existing LOOK! Art Walk Destinations and meet new friends to support the cause. 

We are offering businesses one last chance to join this exciting and important community event and become a LOOK! Art Walk Destination! Join by July 30th! 

The LOOK! Art Walk--a unique, self-guided, self-paced tour of business destinations in the greater downtown area who are hosting photos from our existing LOOK! collection. 

LOOK! photos offer a glimpse into the unique abilities of children and young adults who have a disability or chronic health condition. It is a compelling collection that speaks to our vision of inclusion, equity, and community. 

The LOOK! Art Walk started in July but will continue through December. Find out more! 

Questions? 

Contact Jacki Garbinsky at 803-995-1413 or jgarbinsky@familyconnectionsc.org  

*****

Since 1990, Family Connection has served more than 100,000 families of children with disabilities and chronic healthcare needs--and today the need is greater than ever. Your support will help empower the families we serve with education, support, and resources to achieve their full potential. 

Our Work 


 


Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Life with Brain Injury Conference Begins Tomorrow

Life with Brain Injury Conference

Begins Tomorrow!! 

Thursday, July 29 and Friday, July 30th! 

SC Brain Injury Leadership Council logo

SC Brain Injury Association of SC logo

Keynote speakers are 

Dr. Sheldon Herring of Prisma Health, Greenville, SC

and 

Tina Campanella of Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, Washington D.C.  

Join us for 2 days of great information!

Register now!


Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Virtual ADA Celebration Today!

SC Assistive Technology Program logo

Join the AAPD Virtual 

ADA Celebration!

ADA 31 years 1990 to 2021 Celebration logo

Join American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) for our annual ADA Celebration to recognize the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reflect on the accomplishments of our community, and look towards a future where the goals of the ADA are fully realized. 

This year's event will be free and held virtually today, 

July 27th at 7:00pm Eastern.

Watch with Captioning and ASL Interpreting

Watch with Audio Description


 

Get Ready for School with Adapted Clothing

SC Assistive Technology Program logo

Adaptive Shoes and Clothing!

Get your kids and teens ready for school 

by buying shoes and clothes that keep them 

independent while looking cool. 

Back to School image

Check out these different vendors.

Shoes

Friendly shoes: 

https://friendlyshoes.com/

Zeba Shoes: 

https://www.zebashoes.com/

Softstar Shoes for kids who wear AFOs:

https://www.softstarshoes.com/afos

Billy Footwear:

https://billyfootwear.com/


Clothing

Authored Apparel:

https://authoredapparel.com/ 

Seven7 Able Adaptive Jeans for men and women:

https://seven7jeans.com/shop/adaptive

Magna Ready Shirts:

https://magnaready.com/

CareZips adaptive clothing:

http://www.carezips.com/

The Brobe adapted robe:

https://thebrobe.com/

KoolKoats:

https://koolwaysports.com/koolkoats/

SlickChicks underwear for women:

https://slickchicksonline.com/collections/all

Button Helper magnets:

https://buttonhelper.com/

Monday, July 26, 2021

Donate toys for the Annual Adapted Toy Project

SC Assistive Technology Program logo

The SC Assistive Technology Program is collecting donated toys for its Annual Adapted Toy Project to be held in December 2021. SC Assistive Technology Program staff take battery-operated toys with an on-off button and convert them for switch use for children who have difficulty using their hands to activate typical toys. These toys are given to children in need for free.

“This is a much needed service for children with disabilities. The staff at the SC Assistive Technology Program came up with this idea because we wanted to do something to help families, professionals and school staff to make toys more accessible for children with disabilities”. 

--- Carol Page, Ph.D., Program Director, SC Assistive Technology Program

If you don’t want to do the shopping for the donated toys, you can send a gift card from Amazon, Target, or Walmart and we will do the shopping for you!  See the toys on our wish lists that can be adapted for children with disabilities.

You can send your toy to us in one of three ways:

  • You can drop off your donated toy at our facility at the Midlands Center Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30; set your GPS to McPoplar Drive for our location on the grounds.  
  • Place your order online, have the company ship it to the following address:

            Billfred Leverette
            SC Assistive Technology Program
            Center for Disability Resources
            8301 Farrow Road
            Columbia, SC 29203
  • Ship the toy yourself to the above address.  
For more information about the 
4th Annual Adapted Toy Workshop 
please call 803-935-5263.

Friday, July 23, 2021

Have your Assistive Technology Questions Answered

SC Assistive Technology Program logo

 Join us for a Q and A Session

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. We look forward to talking with you! 

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, July 27th, 2021

Time: 3:00-4:00 PM ET

Cost: Free

Zoom Link for Q and A Session 

Meeting ID: 921 0327 6080

Passcode: 360121

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,92103276080#,,,,*360121# US (Chicago)

+16465588656,,92103276080#,,,,*360121# US (New York)

Dial by your location

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ajx2mzpnm


Thursday, July 22, 2021

2021 Life with Brain Conference Scholarship Application Deadline Extended

Deadline Extended for Scholarships for the 2021 Life with Brain Injury Virtual Conference July 29-30 image

Great news! 

The Brain Injury Association of South Carolina has extended the option for individuals with brain injury to continue to apply for scholarships! If someone you work with that has a brain injury or is a caregiver of someone with a brain injury needs financial assistance to attend this amazing resource, so if you have any family, friends, patients, community members, or yourself who would be interested in attending, but need help with the financial aspect, please let them know to contact Rachel Kaplan at safetynetcoordinator@biaofsc.com.

As you know, Brain Injury Association of South Carolina and the South Carolina Brain Injury Leadership Council are hosting the 2021 Life with Brain Injury Virtual Conference at the end of this month, July 29-30, 2021. This is a great opportunity for you to share with colleagues, coworkers, patients, parents, friends, etc. as there will be something for everyone that attends. Since this is a virtual conference, we want to extend the attendance as far across the state as possible. Feel free to share this information with as many people as possible, and we hope to see you in attendance! If you do not need to apply for a scholarship, but want to attend the conference, register by clicking this link.

Thank you so much - we want everyone to know about the supports, resources, and information that the Life with Brain Injury provides!


Brain Injury Association of SC logo


Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Adaptive Pants You'll Actually Wear

New Mobility newsletter logo

 July 15, 2021

PRODUCTS

Adaptive Seamless Pants You'll Actually Wear

Longtime adaptive fashion designer Izzy Camilleri recently released what may be her best clothing line yet: the Game Changer Pants from IZ Adaptive. Available in everything from classic jeans to sweats, yoga pants and chinos, the Game Changers feature stylish fronts with a revolutionary rear design that completely eliminates seams and other potential pressure problems. 

COMIC

Please Remain Seated: Attic Affair

Ever wonder what your significant other gets up to when they disappear into the attic (or the basement, for that matter)? Yeah, us too. Check out Mat Barton and Adam Cooper’s twisted take on this common question.

TRENDING

Tapping Into the Brain to Help a Paralyzed Man Speak

We've already seen people use brain computer interface to control a computer or even a robotic arm, but researchers have now pushed the technology even further by leveraging BCI to turn thoughts into speech. Using an electrode array and advanced algorithms, a man paralyzed by a brain stem stroke has been able to think about individual words and complete sentences and have a computer translate the signals into on screen text and ultimately, computer-generated speech. 

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Don't Forget! 2021 Life with Brain Injury Conference

Don't Forget to Register!

2021 Life with Brain Injury “Virtual” Conference

Thursday, July 29 and Friday, July 30, 2021

Via Zoom Webinar

Hosted By:

Brain Injury Association of SC logo

SC Brain Injury Leadership Council logo

Registration is open for participants.  Registration will end on July 28th at noon.  

Click here to order tickets on Eventbrite!

Scholarships are available for survivors and caregivers who are SC residents and are unable to pay to attend the conference.  The deadline to submit scholarship forms is July 16, 2021.  Contact Rachel Kaplan to request a scholarship form and for assistance at 919-593-6066 or safetynetcoordinator@biaofsc.com.

www.biaofsc.com  

Monday, July 19, 2021

Our last benefits workshop this summer—don’t miss it!

 Virtual Benefits Zoom Workshop July 21 10am to Noon

Has someone ever told you that because you have a disability and receive benefits, you cannot work? Have you ever been told that if you do work, you will automatically lose your benefits? These are just two of the many myths we hear about how employment may affect a person's benefits and we want to set the record straight! 

Register for our free virtual workshop on Wednesday, July 21 from 10 AM to 12 PM, where you can expect to: 

  • Learn the myths about working while receiving SSI/SSDI, 
  • Hear all about local organizations' employment supports, and 
  • "Meet" benefits counselors who can give you free one-on-one help 

Register here!

Registration closes on Tuesday, July 20 

*This workshop will be most helpful to people who are already receiving SSI/SSDI.* 

Registering helps us make sure that you get the Zoom link

and all the materials you need for the workshop. 

Thanks to all the agencies that make these workshops possible: 

Agencies sponsoring this event: Walton Options, Disability Rights SC, ABLE SC, SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, SC CB, SC Works, Vocational Rehabilitation SC, ACL, SC Department of Mental Health, SC Assistive Technology Program, and AccessAbility logos



Friday, July 16, 2021

Wheelchair Loans for People with Paralysis

SC Assistive Technology Program logo

Do you know someone with paralysis who can benefit from a wheelchair loan? 

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



Thursday, July 15, 2021

LOOK! Art Walk launching at Soda City Market!

2021 Look! Art Walk sponsored by Family Connection of SC image

FAMILY CONNECTION'S SODA CITY MARKET DAY! 

We are ready to launch the LOOK! Art Walk--a unique, self-guided, self-paced tour of business destinations in the greater downtown area who are hosting photos from our existing LOOK! collection. 

LOOK! photos offer a glimpse into the unique abilities of children and young adults who have a disability or chronic health condition. It's a beautiful collection that speaks to our vision of inclusion, equity, and community. 

The LOOK! Art Walk starts July 10th but will continue through December. Find out more! 

Visit us at Soda City Market on Saturday, July 10th from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Our booth will be located on the 1300 block of Main Street--near Market on Main! 

  • Pick up the official LOOK! Art Walk Map and visit the participating locations at your own pace! 
  • Business owners: it's not too late to become a LOOK! Art Walk Destination! We are accepting new locations through July 30th! 

We can't wait to see you and celebrate the start of the LOOK! Art Walk! 

Can't visit us on Saturday? Learn more here! 


Family Connection of SC

1804 St. Julian Place Suite 104 | Columbia, South Carolina 29204

803-252-0914 | info@familyconnectionsc.org