New Look, Exceptional Support - Reintroducing the Autism Society

 

The Autism Society is proud to introduce 

our new brand!

For far too long, individuals living on the Autism spectrum have been categorized, labeled and placed into diagnostic boxes. But life experiences are far more complex, and the Autism Society embraces the infinite ways in which people live their lives. In service of those unique experiences, the Autism Society has undergone a major rebranding effort.  

We are proud and excited to advance our mission to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. Our vision is to create a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it. We do this while embodying our values of Dignity, Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Integrity. 

More than a visual change, this brand was developed with over 150 members in the Autism community, making it a reflection of our community. Every element was designed to create a beautiful, functional space to increase access to resources and information. 

The new brand means that we can do more to serve our community without visual, auditory or other sensory barriers, and provide more visibility for the diversity of experiences across the spectrum. 

Ultimately, the Autism Society’s brand is intended to foster connections within the Autism community. Connections to resources, information, services, opportunities, and of course, to each other. Whether you are a parent looking for a support group to build social connections for your child, or an Autistic self-advocate looking for ways to impact policy in your community, the Autism Society knows that The Connection is You™. 

If you are curious about this work, please check out our blog post and FAQ's for more information.

Learn More About Our New Brand

Handling Health- Online Consumer Training

Developing a healthy lifestyle is hard. Where do you even start? We can help! Register for a free online training on Monday, November 15 from 3:00-4:00 PM and learn all about:

• Understanding the types of health
• How to keep healthy habits - such as exercise and eating right
• How to communicate your health needs to others
• How to make health a part of your lifestyle 
• and more!

Registration will close on Sunday, November 14.

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

Register Here!

Cheers to All Caregivers! 🙌

 

November is National Family Caregivers Month

This November, we recognize National Family Caregivers Month, providing an opportunity to celebrate the incredible selfless, challenging, compassionate work from caregivers within the Autism Community. While we champion caregivers every day, this month we highlight their impact and supports needed to strengthen our community. The Autism Society will also continue to emphasize COVID-19 safety, vaccination education, and ways to stay healthy this flu season.

Did you know: Caring for a loved one can strain even the most resilient people. If you're a caregiver, take steps to preserve your own health and well-being. A few ways to reduce caregivers stress include accepting help, setting realistic goals, and joining a caregivers support group.

ACCESS NOVEMBER TOOLKIT

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 November theme:

• Autism Society of Greater New Orleans hosts a monthly "Caregivers of Low Support Needs Children and Individuals" group.
• Autism Society Texas hosts a monthly "Evolution Support Group" for parents and caregivers of middle and high school-aged tweens & teens on the spectrum.

Visit our Website

Our Promise During COVID-19: The Autism Society of America promises to remain committed to improving the lives of all affected by autism across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, and will focus on providing information, resources, and advocacy efforts to address these urgent needs. 

New training added for November!

 

New Training Offered! 

We have added a new training to our November calendar. Two options are available — choose the one that works best for your schedule! 

Evaluation and Eligibility under IDEA 

Evaluation is one of the first steps in the Special Education process. In this interactive virtual training, the process and requirements for evaluation and eligibility as defined in IDEA will be discussed. South Carolina regulations for determining eligibility will also be covered. Participants will also learn the definition of consent, parent, and prior written notice. 

Speaker: Susan Beck 

Tuesday, November 16, 2021 

Zoom meeting: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 

REGISTER HERE!

Link will be provided  

Thursday, November 18, 2021 

Zoom meeting: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 

REGISTER HERE!

Link will be provided 

The SC Department on Aging 

will be hosting a Virtual Caregiver Panel 

in honor of National Caregiver Month! 

Do you need help... 

• Taking a break from caregiving? 
• Finding a support group? 
• Finding free legal services? 
• Finding placement for your loved ones? 

The South Carolina Department of Aging wants to help!  

Date: November 18, 2021, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Panelists: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and presentations from Sheriff Leon Lott, The Alzheimer’s Association, SC Respite Coalition, SC Thrive, and many more. 

REGISTER HERE!

Final Application Deadline Extension for Vaccine Access Funding for Eligible Centers for Independent Living

 

Final Application Deadline Extension for Vaccine Access Funding for Eligible Centers for Independent Living 

November 1, 2021- Kimberly Tissot of Able South Carolina and Richard Petty of ILRU in Houston announced today the Disability Vaccine Access Opportunities Center (DVAO Center) is extending the application deadline to November 19 at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time for applications for grant-based funding to support vaccination access for people with disabilities across the nation. Centers for independent living (CILs) that were not funded through the CARES Act and that were not previously recipients of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding are eligible to submit applications. This group of CILs includes centers funded through Part B of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) and/or CILs funded with state and local funding. Awards for up to $50,000 through the vaccine access opportunity program for individual CILs are anticipated. 

Interested eligible CILs are encouraged to apply for funding by completing an online application by 12:00 pm (Noon) EDT on November 19, 2021, via the online application. 

This funding is being made available to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines for people with disabilities by leveraging the support of a select group of centers for independent living. Examples of how CILs have supported vaccine uptake include the following: providing peer counseling about the benefits and importance of having vaccinations; assisting individuals to find an accessible location where they may secure vaccinations; holding vaccine events such as drive-up, in-vehicle vaccinations; working with local health departments to arrange in-home vaccinations for those unable to travel safely and providing education to local health departments and other agencies to improve awareness and affect meaningful change within those agencies to improve vaccine access for people with disabilities.  

Funded centers will be provided with technical assistance, training, and additional resources from the DVAO Center to support their vaccine efforts and projects for this grant. These resources include a monthly webinar with presentations from CDC Foundation and disability advocacy panelists, access to an online communication platform tool for participating centers, and free technical assistance to complete project needs. The Disability Vaccine Opportunity Access Center is a national center that will further vaccination access for people with disabilities. The prime recipient of the grant for this project is Able South Carolina, which as a center for independent living is a consumer-directed organization. ILRU, an organization managed and operated by people with disabilities, is the principal partner and contractor. The DVAO Center will support local disability-run centers for independent living to assist people with disabilities to have full access to the vaccines that fight COVID-19. Funding for this effort is provided by the CDC Foundation of Atlanta, GA. 

See the Request for Application 

The Disability Vaccine Access Opportunities Center is operated with grant funding from the CDC Foundation and awarded to Able SC, which will collaborate with ILRU. Funding for this effort is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. 

ABOUT ABLE SOUTH CAROLINA: Able SC is a change agent committed to fostering an equitable society that empowers individuals with disabilities to live fully engaged and self-directed lives. Able SC is an organization led by individuals with disabilities that challenges stereotypes and promotes disability rights and justice. To learn more about Able SC’s programs and services, visit www.able-sc.org. 

ABOUT INDEPENDENT LIVING RESEARCH UTILIZATION (ILRU): ILRU at TIRR Memorial Hermann, founded in 1977, has a long history of providing research, education, and consultation in the areas of independent living, home and community-based services, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. ILRU is operated by community living and disability law experts with disabilities. To learn more about ILRU, visit www.ilru.org 

Visit Able SC's Website

Free Webinar: Blind Spot Sensors for Wheelchairs

Blind Spot Sensors for Wheelchairs

Target Audience: OT's, ATP's, PT's, Family & Professional Caregivers, Wheelchair Users

Date: November 11, 2021

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. ET

Cost: Free!

Register Now!

Webinar Description: For wheelchair users who struggle to maneuver safely or just need more spatial awareness, Braze Mobility has created the world's first blind spot sensors that can be added to any wheelchair and transform it into a 'smart' wheelchair. Our system automatically detects obstacles and provides feedback to the user through intuitive lights, sounds, and vibrations.

Join the webinar and chat with Dr. Pooja Viswanthan, who has incorporated over a decade of smart wheelchair research to bring you and your clients the world's first blind spot sensors for wheelchairs.

Participants will learn:

• At least 3 benefits of blind spot sensors and scenarios where they are used
• At least 3 types of user feedback that blind spot sensors can provide
• At least 3 advantages of blind spot sensors over semi-autonomous wheelchairs

Speaker:

Dr. Pooja Viswanathan has a passion for improving accessibility and independence for people with physical disabilities. She has completed doctoral and post-doctoral research in robotics and assistive technologies and has been working with smart wheelchair technology for over a decade.

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.

Celebrating 75 Years of United Spinal

United Spinal's 75th Anniversary 

Gala and Community Event

 

Our November 10th 75th Anniversary Virtual Gala is rapidly approaching and we would love to see you there! All are welcome to register for the event—which is free—and be our guest, as we celebrate Building an Inclusive World! Please continue to spread the word among your friends, family and networks. Click here to register (which includes a variety of options to donate to help support 75 more years of United Spinal!):

For additional information on United Spinal’s 75th Anniversary Gala or if you have questions, please contact: Shannon Aquino, Vice President of Development at: saquino@unitedspinal.org 

Celebrating 75 Years of United Spinal Association

The October issue of New Mobility Magazine celebrates 75 years of United Spinal Association, devoting a section to highlight the four key elements that shaped our organization into the premier nonprofit for the SCI/D community. Filled with stories, posts and infographics on 75 years of accomplishments and service, there's a lot to be proud of. Check out the issue here.

People with Disabilities Make the American Workforce Stronger

"As I celebrate my first anniversary as United Spinal Association President/CEO, I want to take a moment to reflect on first principles for Disability Employment Awareness Month, and think about the journey that brought me here. Since my injury in 2010, I have been posing questions to Corporate America around the advancement and inclusion of people with disabilities at work and seeking solutions that the disability community can put into practice together with supportive peers and leaders in the corporate world." - Vincenzo Piscopo, United Spinal president & CEO. Read Vincenzo's full message.

Click here to read more of the 

United Spinal October 2021 Newsletter.

Free 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

Making Inclusion Work with UDL: A Guide for Related Service Providers from DJI

November 4, 2021 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern

Accessibility in Science and Math from AEM Cafe

November 4, 2021 at 1pm Pacific, 4pm Eastern

Reading Tools for Chrome from PACER

November 9, 2021 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

iPad apps for learners with complex needs from CALLScotland

November 10, 2021 at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern (30 min.)

Driving Engagement through UDL: Top Strategies from Paula Kluth’s Playbook from DJI

November 10, 2021 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern

Using Switches to Access Academics Math/Science/Literacy from SETC

November 15, 2021 at 4pm Pacific, 7pm Eastern

Self-Determination & AT: Getting Students Ready for Postsecondary Settings from Infinitec

November 16, 2021 at 1:30pm Pacific, 4:30pm Eastern

Tools for Students Part 2: Plan, Write, and Complete School Projects from PACER

November 17, 2021 at 1pm Pacific, 4pm Eastern

Making Math Digital from SETC

November 17, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern

Adults or General

Accessibility Insights with Ted Drake of Intuit from AbilityNet

November 9, 2021 at  5am Pacific (oof) 8am Eastern

The Business Case for Accessibility and HR’s Role from TPGi, LLC

November 9, 2021 at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern

Wired Wednesday: AT Bits & Bytes with TFL and WATAP

November 10, 2021 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

Equipment and Assistive Technology that Helps Caregivers from the ALS Assn

November 15, 2021 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern 

AAC Webinars

Google Action Blocks to support communication and physical impairments from CALLScotland

November 3, 2021 at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern (30 min.)

Building Capacity for AAC Implementation in a Large School District from SETC

November 4, 2021 at 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern

Voice and message banking from CALLScotland

November 24, 2021 at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern (30 min.)

Free training: Signing with Children Aged Birth to 3 and Beyond

Signing with Children 

Aged Birth to 3 and Beyond

Type: In-Person Training

Date: November 4, 2021

Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Location: 8301 Farrow Road, Poplar Bldg., Columbia, SC 29203

Cost: FREE!

Participants must register to attend. 

REGISTER NOW!

This is a fun, interactive workshop. It covers 30+ single ASL signs, the manual alphabet, and numbers 1-10 as well as natural ways to incorporate signs at home and in therapy sessions.

Presenter: Jill Eversmann, MS, CCC-SLP, is a lecturer and clinical educator in the Speech-Language Pathology program at Columbia College, in Columbia, SC. She has over 30 years of experience as a pediatric SLP. She is a national presenter with Motivations, Inc. and a Signing Time Academy Instructor. She presents workshops and webinars for parents and professionals around the country. Jill is a graduate of James Madison University, VA (BS) and Towson University, MD (MS). She is ASHA certified and licensed in SC.

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.

November News from Family Connection!

 

Upcoming Family Connection Trainings! 

Family Connection 101

Learn about the resources and services Family Connection of SC provides for children and/or individuals with disabilities and/or special healthcare needs. Open to families and providers! 

Wednesday, November 3, 2021 

Zoom Meeting: 10:00 - 11:00 AM   REGISTER

Positive Parenting for Children with a Disability – Triple P Stepping Stones 

The Triple P series focuses on positive ways to promote your child's development. Each seminar includes a Q&A session. Zoom Meetings: 10:00 - 11:30 AM 

Seminar 1: Thursday, November 4, 2021 REGISTER 

Seminar 2: Thursday, November 11, 2021 REGISTER 

Seminar 3: Thursday, November 18, 2021 REGISTER 

Understanding Laws that Protect Students with Disabilities 

This interactive virtual training offers an in-depth look at laws that protect students with disabilities. Learn about the three federal mandates that protect the rights of students with disabilities. Benefits for students with disabilities in the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 will also be covered. 

Session 1: Tuesday, November 9, 2021 

Zoom Meeting: 10:00 to 11:30 AM REGISTER 

Session 2: Thursday, November 11, 2021 

Zoom Meeting: 6:00 - 7:30 PM REGISTER 

Fomentando Esperanza 

Un espacio dedicado a familias Latinas con niños con necesidades de salud especiales. Donde se ofrecen recursos, información, capacitación, y apoyo mutuo. 

A space dedicated to the Latino Families of children with special needs, where resources, information, training and mutual support is offered. 

Nombre del Grupo:  Fomentando Esperanza 

Facilitador: Jenny Nuvan 

Monday, Nov 15, 2021 @ 7:00 PM 

Únase a la reunión virtual por Zoom 

Registración: Para registrarse puede contactar a Jenny Nuvan al 803-995-9124 o al correo electrónico: jnuvan@familyconnectionsc.org o en la línea de Family Connection en Español al 1888-808-7465 

Click here to read more! 

Collecting Toys for the Adapted Toy Project

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. 

Amazon Wish List

Target Wish List

Walmart Wish List

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

1. 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.

2. 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

3. Ship the toy yourself to the above address.

For more information about 

the 4th Annual Adapted Toy Workshop 

please call 803-935-5263. 

This is Our Shot!

Para español haga clic aquí.

In this month’s newsletter, we’re going to focus on a variety of resources offering help with vaccines and information related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This list is designed to help members of the Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) community with disabilities find information, answers, and even free or discounted transportation to vaccine sites. 

General Information Resources:

For detailed information about the rate of COVID vaccines among the disability population, you can visit The COVID-19 Vaccine and Disability Survey: Vaccine Hesitancy among Adults with Disabilities, by the American Association on Health & Disability. 

The COVID-19 misinformation alert page from the Public Health Communications Collaborative offers explanations for the most common vaccine misinformation on social media.  So, before you get nervous about the latest vaccine myth, consider searching for it in this great resource. 

These videos from the Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation offer easy to understand tips about protecting yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. 

FREE Transportation Resources: 

The AARP Ride at Fifty Plus program offers free rides to those fifty and older that can be used to get your COVID-19 vaccine.  This virtual training from AARP can help you learn more.  Also, from now until Dec. 17, rides in the Columbia and Lexington area are free.  Call (855) 955-1926 to learn more or book your ride. 

Uber is offering free rides to and from your vaccine through their partner, Go Go Grandparent.  To book your ride, call (855) 921-0033, and make sure to tell the representative you’re booking a ride for your vaccine. 

Lyft is also offering free rides to and from vaccine appointments for qualifying participants.  Complete this online screening to find out if you qualify. 

SC Disability Vaccine Access Hotline:

Remember to talk to your doctor or another medical professional you trust about whether the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you and which vaccine is best for your needs.  If you have any questions or need assistance with things like transportation or finding a vaccine location in your area, Able South Carolina and our partners are happy to help.  Give us a call at (800) 787-6046. 

Free Webinar about the WeWalk Cane and App

Demonstration and Overview of WeWalk Cane and App

Target Audience: O&M Instructors, individuals with vision impairment, individuals who are interested in emerging assistive technologies.

Date: October 28, 2021

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. ET

Cost: Free!

Register Now!

Join us for an introduction to the WeWALK smart cane and app! WeWALK is a smart cane developed to improve the mobility of people with vision impairments, allowing them full and equal participation in everyday life. The smart cane works in tandem with the app to help you navigate the world around you with fully accessible turn-by-turn GPS navigation, carefully designed for people who are blind or have low vision. WeWALK’s smart city integration gives information about the world around you such as public transportation options and an exploration mode to help you discover popular points of interests near you.

Before the Training: We kindly ask that all registrants download the WeWALK app before the session so that they can follow along during the session. You can download and install the WeWALK app on the iOS phone and the Android phone.

Participants will learn:

• WeWALK’s mission
• WeWALK Smart Cane hardware features
• WeWALK app features
• Q&A

Speakers:

Jean Marc Feghali (R&D Lead): Visually-impaired PhD researcher at Imperial College in visually impaired mobility and TfL IDAG advisory board member, receiving several academic awards including the Medal for Outstanding Achievement and the Walter Redlich Prize for Academic Excellence.

Joe Alfonso: Community Manager at WeWALK and with years of professional experience in the field of technology at Mars Inc./Wrigley as an IT Site Lead and as an Information Risk Management Sr. Consultant at Allstate Investments LLC.

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.