Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired SC: NOIR, a Blind Dining Experience

• Date & Time - Sat, Mar 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
•  Event Location - 56 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA

Join the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired SC on Saturday, March 7, 2026, as we host our 12th annual Noir gala and celebrate our mission to empower individuals who are blind or have low vision to live fulfilling, purpose-driven lives.

Every year, guests gather at our annual gala, Noir, a blind dining experience, to support the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina (ABVI). What sets Noir apart from other charity events is that we ask our guests to put on eye masks and enjoy the main course of their meal without relying on their vision. Blindfolding our guests not only makes for an interesting evening, but it also gives everyone a glimpse into the struggles that our clients must overcome on a daily basis. It is rare that you truly get to experience an organization's mission at an event; however, our guests at Noir do just that.

Every guest will get to enjoy a premium cocktail hour, a blindfolded dinner with wine service provided by Cru catering, a live auction, and an opportunity to participate in a Fund-a-Need.

ABVI has been helping adults and children who are blind or have low vision live independent, safe, and rewarding lives for nearly 90 years. The proceeds raised at Noir help support the critical education accessibility and vision rehabilitation services we provide

Sponsorships are available. Contact Bryson Young at BYoung@abvisc.org for more information.

This black-tie affair is an evening you will not want to miss!

*For sighted assistance, alternative forms of payment, and to avoid fees, contact lspangler@abvisc.org for instructions.

**All guests must be over the age of 21 to attend Noir.

**By purchasing a ticket and confirming your RSVP for NOIR, you consent to being photographed and authorize ABVI to use any images that may include you for promotional and organizational purposes.

 

Register For Tickets

 

Webinar: Introduction to Cortical Vision Impairment

 

 

Date & Time: Feb 19, 2026 12:00 PM  in  Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

 

Participants must register to receive the webinar link. REGISTER NOW

 

Target Audience: Parents, Teachers, and Support Staff for a Student with CVI Description: Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI) is the leading cause of childhood blindness and low vision, yet it remains widely misunderstood. Participants will learn about the basics of CVI, common characteristics and behaviors associated with the condition, and practical strategies for supporting individuals with CVI in educational and daily settings. Whether you are a parent, educator, therapist, or healthcare professional, this session will equip you with foundational knowledge to recognize CVI and begin exploring interventions that promote functional vision and learning. Participants will learn: 1. What CVI is and how it impacts vision. 2. Common Characteristics of CVI 3. Initial strategies for supporting individuals with CVI. 

 

Speaker Biography: Erika Guilfuchi is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired with a Master’s degree in Education and over eight years of experience supporting students with visual impairments. Throughout her career, Erika has worked extensively with learners who are blind or have low vision, including those with cortical visual impairment (CVI). She is passionate about creating accessible learning environments, implementing adaptive strategies, and empowering students to achieve independence and confidence. Erika’s expertise and dedication make her a strong advocate for inclusive education and equitable opportunities for all learners. 

February 2026 Leadership in IDD

 

Perspectives Commentary from the field  Integrated Supports   Meghan Burke, PhD, FAAIDD Vanderbilt University   People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often rely on formal (paid) services and natural supports (unpaid support from family, friends, and community members). Researchers, policymakers, and others are recognizing the interrelatedness of these supports and the importance of understanding how they are balanced.   Two issues warrant our attention. First, do the terms “formal” and “natural” resonate with the IDD community? These labels may oversimplify the complexity of supports. The Charting the LifeCourse framework identifies five support types: technology, community-based supports, eligibility-specific supports, relationships, and personal strengths and assets. Research is needed to determine whether more nuanced word choices better describe supports.   Second, context matters. Support systems vary widely across countries in structure, availability, and adequacy. The Balancing Act project, currently underway, examines integrated supports across six countries. The project’s insights into the ways culture, policy, and context shape support systems can inform future research, practice, and policy. Notables  Recent awards, accolades, appointments, and other honors. Julie Bershadsky, PhD, FAAIDD, started a new position as Associate Co-Director for Research at the Institute on Community Integration  at the University of Minnesota Jason Rechtman, MA, MBA, joined the NADD Board of Directors Renáta Tichá, PhD, FAAIDD, started a new position as Associate Co-Director for Research at the Institute for Community Integration at the University of Minnesota and named Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research AAIDD 2026 Fellows Individuals who have had at least seven years of continuous, active membership in the Association. To be selected for the honor of fellow of the AAIDD, members must have made meritorious contributions to the field and the Association. Julie Bershadsky, PhD University of Minnesota        Katherine Brendli Brown, PhD Cornell University         Lauren Clark, PhD University of California Los Angeles           Holly Hohmeister, MS HH Strategies, LLC         Colleen Kidney, PhD Human Services Research Institute         Chung Eun Lee, PhD Sungkyunkwan University         Yvonne Miller Nixon Evergreen Life Services         Kelly Nye-Lengerman, PhD University of Maryland             Sheida K. Raley, PhD University of Arkansas       Angela John Thurman, PhD University of California Davis         Kathleen (Kathy) Varner AAIDD          A call for Fellow nominations is issued in the fall of each year and those preferred to Fellow of the AAIDD will be recognized at the 150th AAIDD Annual Meeting taking place June 22-24, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. AAIDD is looking to feature notables and perspective pieces from our members in the field! Send us your commentary to be featured in a future Leadership in IDD Newsletter. Click here to submit your work to be featured. Produced by AAIDD, this monthly digest features the recent (first made available within last 3 months) and emergent (will be available within the next 4-6 weeks) work of AAIDD members only. Journal articles, while important, are not featured in this publication.    View the archive of the Leadership in IDD newsletter here.

BrainStorm: A Support and Advocacy Group for Young Adults Impacted by BI

Join BrainStorm: A support and advocacy group through Brain Injury Association of South Carolina for young adults who have been impacted by brain injury! 

•  3rd Wednesday of each month 6:30 – 8 p.m. 

BrainStorm is a group for young adults (aages 15-29) who are striving to advocate, educate, and create a safe space for individuals that have been affected by concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or acquired brain injuries in any capacity.

This group strives to bring visibility to this 'invisible' injury through education, advocacy, open-communication, and support.

Join us and bring a friend with you to these meetings if that makes you more comfortable!

 

 

  WHO IS THIS GROUP FOR:

• This group is open to survivors, family, friends, and advocates of brain injury who are between the ages of 15-29.
• Someone who has a brain injury that impacts their life in at least one way on a regular basis. 
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Concussion
• Someone whose parent, neighbor, sibling, friend, or significant other is living with a brain injury

WHAT ARE THESE MEETINGS: 

• Join Peer Facilitators as they help you:
• Find community and peer support - you are not alone in your experience with brain injury!
• Educate anyone and everyone in your life through advocacy.

WHERE DO WE MEET:

• Virtual Meetings will be held on Zoom the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 6:30 - 8 pm EST

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION:

• Contact Brain Injury Association of SC Program Coordinator, Kristi Hartwell at coordinator@biaofsc.com.
• Join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/biascyoungadultsupport/  
   

Facebook Group QR Code:

February 2026: Fall in Love With AAIDD

February AAIDD Highlights Benefits AAIDD members are enjoying this month Fall in love with your professional growth this February. Unlock exclusive access to professional webinars, leading IDD journals, networking opportunities and more. Discover all the membership benefits worth swooning over this month! Join AAIDD Today! AAIDD Interest Networks Calls for Nominations or Proposals AAIDD Members gain access to topic-focused networks where professionals connect, collaborate, and share resources AAIDD Psychology IN Seeks Nominations for its Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award Nominations due February 27, 2026   AAIDD Community Interest Network Seeks Nominations for its Community Award Nominations Due: February 27, 2026 Learn More About AAIDD Interest Networks  AAIDD Webinars  Ongoing professional education  Why pay $10? Members receive registration at no cost for all AAIDD webinars Making Postsecondary Education for Students with IDD More Accessible AAIDD Webinar February 10, 2026 2:00-3:00 pm Eastern  Register Here! Promoting Physical Activity in Youth with IDD AAIDD Webinar February 25, 2026 2:00-3:00 pm Eastern  Register Here! Sexual Education, Maternal Health, and Pregnancy Experiences of Women with IDD AAIDD Webinar March 5, 2026 3:30-4:30 pm Eastern  Register Here! AAIDD Journals Leading Peer-Reviewed Journals in the IDD Field Access articles at no cost for AAIDD Members  AAIDD Journals Have Moved to the Taylor & Francis Platform Check out the new platform, and see information about authors, including direct links for submitting articles on the AAIDD website.   The January 2026 Issue of the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AJIDD) is Available Now!  AJIDD is a scientific, scholarly, and archival multidisciplinary journal for reporting original contributions of the highest quality to knowledge of intellectual disability, its causes, treatment, and prevention. Read AAIDD Journals  Ready to Take the Next Step? Join AAIDD and enjoy all these member benefits and more! AAIDD's mission is to promote progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Become a member today! Join AAIDD!