EQUIP

EQUIP is a South Carolina organization that is run by young adults with disabilities for young adults with disabilities.  The EQUIP members aim to volunteer in the community to promote disability awareness, educate young adults about the disability rights movements, and help young adults learn to be self-advocates. To learn more about EQUIP, check out their September 2015 Newsletter by clicking here! 

Introduction to Sign Language for Parents of Children with Special Needs

An Introduction to Sign Language 

for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am
Cost: Free, but pre-registration is required

Location: Poplar Building Conference Room
Midlands Center, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC 29203

Registration: Complete the Sign Language for Parents of Children with Special Needs online registration form

Presenter: Jill Eversmann

Description: This is a fun, interactive workshop for parents of children with special needs. It covers 25 signs, the manual alphabet, and numbers 1-10. Parents will learn and practice the signs and learn tips for teaching signs to their children.  It also covers how sign language can encourage speech and language development, enhance overall communication and reduce frustration for children who are not yet able to effectively communicate using speech.

About the Speaker: Jill Eversmann is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with over 25 years of experience and a certified Signing Time Academy instructor. She loves working with young children and their families and also teaching sign language to children and adults. Jill received her B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from James Madison University and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University. She is ASHA certified and licensed in SC.

For questions about registration, call Will McCain at (803) 935-5004 or Lydia Durham at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.

   

2015 South Carolina American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Conference

Click here to learn more!

Upstate Autism Forum

Upstate Autism Forum

October 10, 2015

BMW Zentrum, Greer, SC

The Upstate Autism Forum will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2015 from 9 am to 2 pm at the BMW Zentrum in Greer, SC.  This free forum is sponsored by BMW Manufacturing, LUCAS Network, the South Carolina Autism Society, and Project Hope Foundation. 

Workshop Sessions will include: 

• Autism 101:  Autism 101 focuses on the basics of autism. We discuss autism and the factors that contribute to being diagnosed and strategies to help them be successful.  Presented by the SC Autism Society. 
• Parent Training & Toolkit:  This workshop provides strategies and tools for parents who are waiting for services.  Presented by Project Hope Foundation.  
• Medicaid ABA Coverage:   Dr. Pete Liggett from SCDHHS and Susan Beck from SCDDSN will discuss the transition from the PDD Wavier program to the new coverage by Medicaid for ABA services from age 0-21. 

Lunch will be available by advance purchase.  There are no refunds for lunch purchases.

The Upstate Autism Forum is recommended for families affected by autism, individuals with autism, educators, and disability professionals.  Capacity for the Forum is 200, so please register early to ensure your spot.

Registration is available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/upstate-autism-forum-tickets-18412757052.

Community Leadership Academy

Community Leadership Academy

Become a Leader in Your Community!

Do you have a disability and want to be a leader in your community? You're invited to join us in making real community change! In just six sessions, we will cover everything you need to know to serve on a non-profit board or government committee. We will also help you connect to an issue or organization that is important to you.

Join us as we discuss the following topics:

• Community Leadership
• How a Non-Profit Board Works
• Government Committees and Councils
• Research & Networking
• Hands on Skills Practice

Able SC Midlands Office:

136 Stonemark Lane, Suite 100

Columbia, SC 29210

Thursday Afternoons

October 1, 2015 - November 5, 2015

1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

To register, contact Dori Tempio at:

Voice: 800.681.6805

TTY: 803.779.0949

Email: dtempio@able.sc.org

Please make reasonable accommodation requests for this course one week ahead of the event date.

Midlands Job Fair

Come to the Midlands Job Fair!

Come by the Midlands Job Fair and stop by the SC Assistive Technology Program exhibit!

When:
October 6th
9 AM - 1 PM

Where:
SC National Guard Armory
1255 Bluff Rd
Columbia, SC 29201

Cost:
Free and open to the public!

Talk with employers from all over the Midlands looking for talented people at the annual job fair sponsored by the Mayor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. You'll be able to network with people who can help get your career off the ground as well as learn about new opportunities! Visit the SC Assistive Technology exhibit to learn about helpful devices that can keep you independent and successful on the job.

Some featured employers:

• BlueCross BlueShield of SC
• Michelin
• UPS
• Time Warner Cable
• City of Columbia
• AppleOne
• SC DOT
• Recruiting Solutions
• Teleperformance
• Home Depot

For more information, see the SC Works Midlands Website

Autism as an Adult

Autism as an Adult

Last week, Susan Dunne published an interesting personal piece in The Guardian about her experience having been diagnosed in adulthood with autism spectrum disorder. To read Dunne's full piece, click here. Dunne has also written a memoir titled 'A Pony in the Bedroom' for anyone interested in reading more of her work.

Drug May Calm Agitation in Alzheimer's Patients

Drug May Calm Agitation in Alzheimer's Patients

(HealthDay News) - A drug that combines a cough suppressant with a heart medication might offer a safer option for calming the agitation that commonly affects people with Alzheimer's disease, an early clinical trial suggests.

The study, of 220 Alzheimer's patients, found that the drug - called Nuedexta - generally eased agitation symptoms over 10 weeks.

And it did not worsen patients' problems with memory, thinking, and judgment, researchers reported in the Sept. 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association

To continue reading the original article, click here!

Enter to Win BIASC's Run For Thought T-Shirt Design Contest

Enter to Win BIASC's Run For Thought T-Shirt Design Contest

Resources for Supporting Children with or At Risk for Disabilities

Resources for Supporting Children 

with or At Risk for Disabilities

The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute has posted online a list of helpful resources and handouts ranging from educational information to child-rearing strategies and personal experiences.  To access this content and learn more, click here

Autism Conference Featuring Dr. Temple Grandin

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin, PhD, internationally recognized autistic self-advocate, author, speaker, and leader in promoting work and social skills, and self-advocacy among individuals living with autism spectrum disorder. 

 Conference Overview

The 2016 Autism Conference will feature experts presenting strategies and tools for improving the delivery of support services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The conference will provide opportunities for individuals with ASD and Asperger's to hone social skills and will serve as a catalyst for establishing networks between conference participants. In-depth, 3 and 6 hour workshops will target parents, caregivers, educators, emergency response personnel, and teens and young adults with ASD and Asperger's. Continuing education credits will be available.  

Click here for Conference Schedule and Registration Information. 

Interest and Networking Groups for Youth 

and Parents of Youth with Attention Deficit Disorder

Groups for Youth with Attention Deficit Disorder

and Parents of Youth with Attention Deficit Disorder

ADD Information and Networking Group for Youth (ages 14 - 18)

with ADD to share information, resources and success

2nd Monday of each month at:

United Methodist Church

Trenholm Road

Columbia, SC

6:30 - 8:00 pm

Beginning September 14th, 2015

OR

4th Monday of each month at:

Shiloh United Methodist Church

Gilbert, SC

6:30 - 8:00 pm

Beginning September 28th, 2015

An Interest and Networking Meeting for Parents of Youth with ADD

Meeting at the same time and location as the Youth groups above

Beginning September 14th for Columbia

Beginning September 28th for Gilbert

Youth group facilitated and lead by experienced staff:

Rev. J Christopher Greene

Hannah Muzzillo, BSW Intern

For more information and to register, please call 803-772-5688

Sign Up for the Upstate Autism Forum!

Upstate Autism Forum

October 10, 2015

BMW Zentrum, Greer, SC

The Upstate Autism Forum will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2015 from 9 am to 2 pm at the BMW Zentrum in Greer, SC.  This free forum is sponsored by BMW Manufacturing, LUCAS Network, the South Carolina Autism Society, and Project Hope Foundation. 

Workshop Sessions will include: 

• Autism 101:  Autism 101 focuses on the basics of autism. We discuss autism and the factors that contribute to being diagnosed and strategies to help them be successful.  Presented by the SC Autism Society. 
• Parent Training & Toolkit:  This workshop provides strategies and tools for parents who are waiting for services.  Presented by Project Hope Foundation.  
• Medicaid ABA Coverage:   Dr. Pete Liggett from SCDHHS and Susan Beck from SCDDSN will discuss the transition from the PDD Wavier program to the new coverage by Medicaid for ABA services from age 0-21. 

Lunch will be available by advance purchase.  There are no refunds for lunch purchases.

The Upstate Autism Forum is recommended for families affected by autism, individuals with autism, educators, and disability professionals.  Capacity for the Forum is 200, so please register early to ensure your spot.

Registration is available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/upstate-autism-forum-tickets-18412757052.

Hearing Loss & Assistive Listening Devices Class

Do You Have Hearing Loss or Know Someone Who Does? 

 What You Need to Know About Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) 

When: Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Where: Greater Lexington Chamber & Visitors Center, 311 W. Main St., Lexington, SC

Time: Choose either 2 1/2 hour session: 9:00-11:30 am OR 1:15-3:45 pm

  

Speakers: 

Krista Nevelle, Harris Communications

Carol Page, SC Assistive Technology Program

Jason Wingand, University of SC’s Speech and hearing Research Center

James Stowell, American Hearing Loop

Kathleen Martin, Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities

Who should attend?

Anyone who has hearing loss or knows someone who does: employers of people with hearing loss, church leaders, aging service providers, audiologists/ENTs, hearing instrument specialists, social workers, healthcare providers, and vocational rehabilitation and mental health counselors.

Questions? Please call Peter Balsamo at 803-728-7056.

Click here to view the Lexington Sertoma Club website.