A Wheelchair User's Guide to Dressing Well

April 19, 2022 

FASHION

A Wheelchair User's Guide to Dressing Well

Dressing for chair life doesn’t have to be frustrating. For anyone who owns a mix of adaptive wear, self-modified gear and carefully-selected mainstream garb, there are plenty of ways to build your wardrobe. Here is our guide to skirts, shorts, swimsuits, jeans and formal wear. 

FUN READ

The Wheelchair Users Making Space Flight Accessible

A group of wheelchair users recently found out what it’s like to break free from gravity’s bonds when they embarked on a suborbital flight to research access needs in space flight. Their verdict? It’s every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it to be. Tim Gilmer reports on the ups and downs of learning to float like an astronaut.  

PRO TIPS

My Disability Half-Life

In her latest “Own It” column, Regan Linton celebrates the milestone of living half her life as a wheelchair user. “The purpose of the ritual is not to lament or judge,” she writes. “Rather, to recount the moments of pain, struggle, growth, difficulty, sadness, triumph — all in appreciation of what has been built, here and now.” 

New Mobility is the member publication of the United Spinal Association, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. It's free to join United Spinal, and members may receive New Mobility magazine for free for one year. Join here. 

Announcing Community Leadership Academy Spring 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 6 PM to 7:30 PM on Zoom: 

• May 4, 2022 06:00 PM 
• May 11, 2022 06:00 PM 
• May 18, 2022 06:00 PM 
• May 25, 2022 06:00 PM 
• Jun 1, 2022 06:00 PM 
• Jun 8, 2022 06:00 PM 

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

What Parents Should Know About Autism

 

Apr. 4, 2022

As the prevalence of autism has risen in the past decade, more families are dealing with the disorder. Sara S. Wallace, MD, FAAP, with Lexington Pediatric Practice answers parents' common questions about autism. 

Q. What is autism?

A. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects 1-2% of children. It is characterized by difficulties with social skills and communication, along with restrictive, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities.

Q. What are the early warning signs parents may notice?

A. While routine screening for autism typically takes place between 18 months and 24 months of age, some parents may notice signs of autism during the first year of life. Early signs of autism may include:

• Poor eye contact
• Not smiling at others by 6 months of age
• Not babbling or pointing by age 1
• Not responding to sounds or their name
• Not reacting to a parent’s facial expressions
• Not pointing at objects of interest

Other signs may include:

• Restricted food preferences
• Hand flapping
• Making unusual finger movements near their eyes
• Getting upset by everyday noises

Some children may exhibit difficulty with social interactions, such as decreased interested in playing with other children. 

Q. How early can autism be diagnosed?

A. Typically, autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 14-16 months. However, the average age at diagnosis is 4 years old.

Click here to read more.

Free Webinar: Top Notetaking Apps and Tools

Top Notetaking Apps and Tools

Target Audience: Assistive Technology Professionals, Occupational Therapists, Educational Staff, individuals with literacy needs and their families. 

Date:  April 28th, 2022

Cost: Free

Time:  10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR

Taking notes is an essential part of the learning process, especially in middle and high school and college. This webinar will share the top notetaking apps and tools available that can make notetaking and studying more effective. It is important that the student chooses the best tool to suit his or her specific needs.

Participants will learn:

• About apps and tools available to assist with notetaking and studying
• Which apps and tools work on specific platforms
• The features of the different apps and tools

Speaker: Tammy Wallace is a Program Coordinator at the SC Assistive Technology Program, Center for Disability Resources, USC School of Medicine, University of South Carolina. Tammy has worked with individuals with disabilities for over 20 years and has presented to local, state and national groups on various topics. In her current role she provides trainings and demonstrations to individuals with disabilities, their families, and professionals on various AT devices and software.

Employment Empower Hour tomorrow!

Employment Empower Hour! 

Join Empower Hour with a Special focus on Employment from 1 pm to 2 pm on April 26th, April 28th, May 3rd, and May 5th, provided by funding from the Reeve Foundation. Whether you are already searching out work or haven’t even started yet this will be the group setting for you. In a peer group setting, we will discuss topics such as Job searches, Resumes and cover letters, Interviewing, Employment rights, and Benefits reporting.  

For more Information Contact Dave Wheeler at dwheeler@ablesc.org or simply join us on the dates and times above through the following link:  meet.google.com/ive-hevx-jrj 

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U of SC lab detecting autism in infants

by: Maya Lockett

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — The Early Social Development and Interaction Lab at the Institute for Mind and Brain at the University of South Carolina is tracking the development of infants who are at-risk of being diagnosed with autism.

“Children who have siblings with autism or were born premature have a higher risk of being diagnosed with autism,” Dr. Jessica Bradshaw, director of the lab, said.

Click here to read more!

Check this out: "Caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities," by Sarah Mahoney, Special to AAMCNews

 

Caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Sarah Mahoney, special to AAMCNews

April 19, 2022

As children with autism, Down syndrome, and similar disabilities reach adulthood, they face unique challenges navigating the health care system. Medical schools are just beginning to train physicians in how to treat them.

Rachel Reingold, then a third-year student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, thought she knew plenty about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).

She was already an active volunteer for Einstein’s Buddies program, which allows medical students to help with the treatment of children with IDDs at the Rose F. Kennedy University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

But it wasn’t until Reingold attended a monthly meeting of adult self-advocates with IDDs that she realized the unique health care barriers that they experience.

The patients spoke candidly about navigating the health care system. “Their critiques were so specific that we were just blown away,” says Reingold. A woman with cerebral palsy described how muscle spasticity made gynecological exams challenging. A man recalled how his doctor solely addressed his caregiver when collecting a medical history instead of the patient himself.

“We knew right away we needed to find a way to educate medical students on the appropriate clinical care of patients with IDD,” she says.

Reingold and several fellow students met with faculty members about their concerns, and the result was Einstein’s first curriculum on patients with IDDs, launched in 2019 in the school’s Introduction to Clinical Medicine course.

Read More...

This is Our Shot!

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In this month’s newsletter, we sat down with Otis Lee Junior to learn why he decided to get his COVID-19 vaccine and what advice he has to offer members of his community who aren’t sure about getting their shot. 

Otis Lee Junior is a member of the BIPOC community living with a visual disability.  Lee says that he did initially hesitate about getting his COVID-19 vaccine, because he might still get sick either way.  In the end though, he decided to get his shot. 

“I wanted to protect myself and my family,” Lee said. 

He’s never needed to convince anyone to get their vaccine, but he’s passionate about reminding others to wear masks.  He recalls one incident of a coworker not wearing their mask. 

“I told him there were kids in the building,” Lee said.  “And I asked him why he wasn’t wearing his mask.  He went and put one on.” 

If you’re hesitating about whether you should get your COVID-19 shot, consider taking to your doctor or another medical professional you trust. 

Equitable Vaccination Page

*****

South Carolina Vaccine Access Hotline 

Still have questions? 

Contact the Disability Vaccine Access Hotline at (800) 787-6046  

South Carolina Disability Vaccine Access Hotline:  

A hotline staffed by Able South Carolina and Disability Rights South Carolina designed to provide people with disabilities information about many different aspects of the COVID-19 vaccine.  These resources include but are not limited to: 

• Address any concerns you may have about getting the vaccine
• Find a trusted medical provider  
• Assist with vaccine appointment scheduling 
• Navigate transportation to get your vaccine  
• Offer resources and guidance on transportation to and from vaccine  
• Answer some of the most common disability related questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine  
• Provide information about accessible vaccine sites based on crowd sourced data  
• Address other disability-related barriers about the vaccine you may be experiencing      

Disclaimer:  The staff of the Disability Vaccine Access Hotline are not licensed medical providers.  They are unable to offer medical advice about the best vaccine for you or predict how the vaccine may affect you or your family. 

Able South Carolina

803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org 

 

Easley artist thrives after car crash

 

When a November 30, 2017, car accident resulted in one death and severe injuries for an Easley artist, she found herself focusing on her physical and spiritual recovery. Emily Ruff, 28, was the front seat passenger in a truck wreck five years ago that left her boyfriend, Taylor Evans, deceased. She experienced a broken neck and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Spartanburg native shared openly she was in the truck when it rolled nine times after clipping the bumper of a tractor-trailer as she and her then-boyfriend drove to Atlanta for a concert.  At the hospital, Ruff learned the extent of her injuries to her neck. However, the artist, gives credit to Dr. Jake Bostrom who was treating her for vision issues after the accident with diagnosing her with the TBI. She said Dr. Bostrom helped identify the injury and recommended she go to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. “Dr. Bostrom is truly one of the kindest people,” she said. “If it wasn't for him, I'm not sure what would've happened. Nobody can really predict what will happen with healing.”

Ruff, formerly a Clemson student, expressed that her mother – a registered nurse – helped her to get to healthcare professionals with the expertise she needed to heal. Thinking she would never paint again, she moved to Charleston to pursue her art.  She went on to meet her husband, Bobby Ruff.

As the years have progressed, Ruff said she is learning that there are so many people around her that have also experienced brain injuries. “An injury to the brain does not always leave obvious physical damage,” the former beauty queen said, “and that has been one of the hardest parts about dealing with the aftermath of a TBI. People who don’t have experience with TBI are often unsure of how brain injury works, and that it is different for everyone.”

Ruff shared that the Brain Injury Association of SC connected her with other survivors who have “fought through it and who understand.” In 2019, the Christian artist was asked to share her story at a BIASC event. “Because of the BIA of SC and its dedication to brain injury awareness, I was connected to people who are working to heal just as I am. My family and friends now have a better understanding of brain injury and are always eager to learn more. BIASC has proven to me that I’m not alone in this, and sometimes, that is the best thing you can do for someone healing.” 

This painting as well as four other beautiful paintings are available for purchase on Emily's website, http://emilygracepaints.com.  Emily will be donating a portion of her sales to the BIASC!  Thank you for your generosity, Emily!   

Check Out Our Website! 

FREE! Independence: My Choices, My Life Conference

 Independence: My Choices, My Life 

State Conference

May 26, 2022

Registration: 9am - 10am

Breakout Sessions: 10am - 3pm

Cooperative Conference Center 

169 Laurelhurst Avenue

Columbia, SC 29210

Concurrent Breakout Sessions:

Self-Advocacy 

Employment 

Disability Rights

and More!

Click here to Register!

Space is limited

Hosted by IMPACT SC 

Sponsored by the SC Developmental Disabilities Council

SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs

The Center for Disability Resources 

Note: For the health and safety of our participants, we are taking necessary precautions to protect all attendees. Masks are encouraged and will be available. Hand sanitizer stations will also be available. Space is limited to allow for social distancing.

Employment Benefits Workshop

 

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 (things that are not true) we hear about how employment may affect a person's benefits. We want to set the record straight!   

Register for our free virtual workshop on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, from 1:30-3:30 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   

The last day to register is Sunday, April 24. 

Register Here!

*This workshop will be most helpful to people 

who are already receiving SSI/SSDI.*  

Service providers are welcome to attend, but we encourage you to register at least one consumer/client too!

Registering helps us make sure that you get the Zoom link and all the materials you need for the workshop.   

Wednesday: Advocacy Day!

YouTube Channel for Advocacy Day

Follow the link above to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss the 2022 Advocacy Day! On the day of the event, our Livestream will appear at the top of the channel page! 

Advocacy Day for Access & Independence

April 13, 2022

10 AM - 12 PM

SC Statehouse & LIVESTREAM

This year's event is planned with hybrid options, where you can participate in-person or online. Participate with us at the Statehouse, or anywhere in the world via our livestream online! 

Advocacy Day for Access & Independence is the ONLY event in South Carolina that's breaking down barriers for ALL South Carolinians with disabilities. People with disabilities face unnecessary and discriminatory barriers to employment, transportation, housing, and community access. Advocacy Day for Access and Independence will shine a light on these barriers in hopes of improving the lives of all South Carolinians.

Join us at the event to call on our lawmakers for a #BarrierFreeSC! 

Not only will we be in person at the SC Statehouse, but we will also be streaming the event live for you to watch from anywhere in the world!

Dr. Lamondre Pough of Billion Strong will be acting as our virtual Emcee! Dr. Pough will be on-site, accompanied by our Equip youth mentors, ready to ask some of our speakers questions during the event following their presentation. 

Do you have a question you'd like to ask about Employment, Transportation, Housing, or Community Access for people with disabilities? 

Send it to us in the chat feature of our YouTube Livestream during the event, and your question might be selected (you must be logged in to youtube to use this feature)! 

Register for the event here, to receive the Livestream link:

 https://unlockingbarriers-sc.org/register/ 

Quarterly Hire Me SC Newsletter

Hire Me SC Quarterly Newsletter 

People with disabilities can work, want to work, and should be afforded every opportunity to work. Powered by Able SC and the South Carolina Disability Employment Coalition (SCDEC), a coalition formed to eliminate employment barriers for individuals with disabilities, 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. 

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WIOA State Plan Title IV 

During our quarterly meeting on March 3, Jacob Chorey, Director of Planning & Program Evaluation with SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department, reviewed the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act State Plan, Title IV programs. Jacob shared information on primary indicators of performance and strategic planning updates in the modified state plan. In addition, SCVRD will be conducting its next Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment this fall, and Jacob also shared details on a new addendum that will increase data sharing between SCVRD and the Department of Education, with the hope of improving outcomes for students. 

The state workforce development board executive committee met and voted to approve the modified state plan so that it can be submitted to the federal review panel. Each partner agency will now upload their portion of the plan into the federal portal, and then we wait for feedback or questions. You can view a copy of SC's state plan here. 

Check out the PowerPoint Presentation

Legislative Updates

 

Employment First Initiative Act  

This bill, H. 3244, passed both the senate and the house last session. It is currently in conference committee because there was an amendment that was added on the senate floor. The amendment has now been dropped because the House of Representatives did not want it included. Once the committee reconvenes, the bill will go over to the Governor’s office to be signed. We plan to have a signing ceremony and our Coalition partners will be invited as well those who will be members of the Employment First Task Force! 

Subminimum Wage 

This bill, S. 533, is in the Labor, Commerce, and Industry (LCI) Committee, that Representative Sandifer of Oconee County oversees. He was vocal about his opposition to this bill at first. Along with Senator Katrina Shealy, we have been providing additional education and resources to Rep. Sandifer and the House of Representatives. We are confident that we will be able to gain his support for this bill. There will be a committee meeting coming up later in March or April and we will keep the Coalition up to date on its progress. 

Read H. 3244

Read S. 533

Take action to support these bills by reaching out to your legislators using the action alerts below!  

Take Action to support H. 3244!

Take Action to support S. 533! 

SCDEC Workgroup Updates 

It is not too late to join a workgroup! Please read more about our current workgroups below and reach out to the appropriate contact if you are interested or have questions.  

Transition Workgroup: A transition workgroup has been established to address gaps and barriers identified by the group and through daily work as it pertains to youth with disabilities gaining competitive, integrated employment during and after high school that can be addressed with resource creation or advocacy. The group is currently focusing on Career and Technical Education (CTE).  

• Meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 2:30-3:30 PM via Google Meet. The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 20th, @ 2:30 PM.   
• For more information, please contact Paige Winget at pwinget@able-sc.org. 

Benefits Workshop Workgroup: The purpose of this workgroup will be to work on outreach for the Disability Benefits & Employment workshops and to review surveys to see if we need to make any changes to the events. 

• Meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 1:00-2:00 PM via Zoom. The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 12th, @ 1:00 PM.  
• For more information, please contact Melissa Snyder at msnyder@able-sc.org.   

Employment Myths Factsheet Workgroup: This group is working on a factsheet to dispel commonly held myths about working as a person with a disability. This fact sheet is from the perspective of people with disabilities designed for people with disabilities. Since the factsheet is being developed by people with disabilities, you must identify as a person with a disability to join this workgroup. 

• Meetings are the 4th Thursday of the month, from 2:00-3:00 PM via Google Meet. The next meeting is Thursday, April 28, @ 2:00 PM. 
• For more information, please contact Annie Foster at afoster@able-sc.org. 

Read more about our workgroups!