Happy Anniversary ADA!

United Spinal Newsletter | July 2019   View this email in your browser

Reflections on the Americans with Disabilities Act The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which celebrates its 29th Anniversary on July 26th, empowers our community in more ways than one. Our members and staff share their thoughts on the ADA and how this landmark law has made a positive difference in their lives. Judge Approves New York Agreement to Install Wheelchair Ramps at All Corners A federal court approved an agreement Tuesday for the city of New York to install wheelchair ramps on all of its corners, settling a quarter-century-old court case. Read more from about this landmark victory. Let’s Talk ADA with United Spinal’s President On this special episode of United on Wheels podcast, our President and CEO, James Weisman speaks about his first-hand experience getting the Americans with Disabilities Act passed and laying the groundwork toward improving disability rights. Spread ADA Awareness In recognition of the 29th anniversary of this landmark civil rights law that protects wheelchair users from discrimination, download our Understanding the ADA booklet and help spread awareness. Here’s a few answers to common questions regarding the ADA. Tell Your Story Watch this video to learn how you can celebrate the ADA using #ThanksToTheADA #ADA29       Inspector General Finds VA Overcharged Disabled Vets on Home Loans The Department of Veterans Affairs charged nearly 73,000 veterans improper home loan funding fees adding up to $286 million, an error that could result in refunds for the affected veterans. Ask VetsFirst If you have questions regarding your Veterans Benefits or benefits that your family members may be entitled to, VetsFirst can help you.

Free Daily Living and Mobility Equipment Available!

Check out some of the mobility and daily living equipment

we have available through SCATP’s reuse service!

To pick up an item, please contact Alli Upchurch at (803) 935-5273.

Sock aid

Bariatric bedside commode

Quad Cane

 

Long-handled bathing aid

Toilet safety rails

Dressing Stick

Reacher-grabber

 

Don’t see what you need?

 Check out the AT Exchange at

 https://www.scatpexchange.net/

Bed Shaker Free for Qualified SC Residents

Bed Shaker

Free for Qualified SC Residents

A bed shaker is a specialty alarm designed to alert deaf/hard of hearing individuals during a fire emergency. Together with working fire smoke alarms, as a part of a home fire drill plan, the bed shaker may save your life.

Application

For more information, contact:

Fire Safe South Carolina
Phone: 803-896-9800

Email: FireSaveSC@llr.sc.gov

Web: http://firesafe.sc.gov/deaf_hardofhearingalarms.html

Twitter or FaceBook @FireSafeSC

Help for age-related disabilities

Do you need help with daily activities and challenges

that come with aging?

The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program connects individuals of all ages and abilities with the assistive technology that can help them maintain their independence.

Let us know if you would like SCATP staff to come speak with your organization. We can host an interactive workshop to show how assistive technology devices can help with the aging population.

Some examples of what we could show:

• Aids for daily living including bathing, dressing, and cooking
• Devices for medication management
• Apps for caregivers to help monitor loved ones
• Devices for people with low vision or blindness
• Devices for individuals who are hard of hearing
• AT to help with computer access
• Speech generating devices for people who are nonverbal

Each lab is tailored to the specific needs of the organization.

Contact us if you would like to take advantage of the services our program offers!

Carol Page

803-935-5301

 carol.page@uscmed.sc.edu
scatp.med.sc.edu



FREE Lexington Workshop: Learn the truth about working while receiving SSI/SSDI

People with disabilities are often told that if they go to work they will automatically lose their cash benefits. This is just one of the many myths about receiving SSI/SSDI while working.

Join us for a free workshop to learn more myths like these and to connect with local organizations that can help you with your job search.

Register here!

Tuesday, August 27, 2019
1:30-3:30 PM

SC Works Lexington
671 Main Street
West Columbia, SC 29170

 

Registration is required so we have enough materials available for everyone.

 

For more information, email hiremesc@able-sc.org

or call 1-800-681-7715/TTY: 864-235-8798

Accommodation requests must be made by August 20, 2019.





Able SC is a fragrance-free organization. To accommodate those with allergies, breathing conditions, or multiple chemical sensitivities, please do not smoke or wear scented products when attending Able South Carolina’s offices or events. You can learn more information about this policy on our website.

Hire Me SC
720 Gracern Road Suite 106

Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121

 hiremesc@able-sc.org

Ignite! July 2019

Autism Society Public Policy and Advocacy Newsletter

July 18, 2019

Ignite! July 2019

This month’s Ignite! Autism Society Policy Newsletter includes information from our very successful Conference & Day on the Hill, including updates on legislation that was advocated for, as well as administration updates and summaries from hearing and briefings. Look continue to look through the Autism Society’s Action Center to encourage your members of Congress to support bills relevant to the Autism Society. Read more below:
 

READ JULY ISSUE

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

ACTION CENTER

Autism Society
4340 East West Hwy Ste 350
Bethesda, MD 20814
United States

SCATP Fall Training Schedule

SCATP is excited about

the 2019 Fall Training Schedule!

Assistive technology professionals

 will provide free workshops

on the latest AT strategies and devices. 

Registration is open!

 

2019 Life with Brain Injury Conference -- OPEN

REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED

FOR THE

2019 Life with Brain Injury Conference

Sign up today at:

www.biaofsc.com

PLEASE VIEW THE BROCHURE ON THE WEBSITE

PRIOR TO REGISTRATION!!

Youth Track Registration must call the office
to complete your registration!

803-731-9823



Borrow a Beach Wheelchair from SCATP

Beach Wheelchair Available!

The SC Assistive Technology Program has a beach wheelchair for loan.

It can be broken down to fit in an SUV,  minivan or pick-up truck.

Families can borrow the beach wheelchair 

by contacting Eric Trofatter at 803-935-5337

or eric.trofatter@uscmed.sc.edu .

This is a free service of the SC Assistive Technology Program.

Researchers call for the term ‘high functioning autism’ to be consigned to history

Summary: Researchers argue the term “high functioning autism” be abandoned by the scientific community as it is misleading and may create harmful expectations of abilities for children on the autism spectrum. “High functioning autism” is not a diagnostic term. The term is based on IQ assessments rather than functional assessments. While children with ASD may exhibit normal-to-higher IQ for their age, many experience skill based, social and behavioral difficulties that impact their daily lives.

Source: University of Western Australia

Autism researchers from the Telethon Kids Institute have called for the term ‘high functioning autism’ to be abandoned because of the misleading and potentially harmful expectations it creates around the abilities of children on the autism spectrum.

In research published in the journal Autism, a team led by Gail Alvares, from Telethon Kids and The University of Western Australia, notes that the term was first coined by researchers in the 1980s as a descriptor for people who had autism but did not have an intellectual disability.

“The term ‘high functioning autism’ is not a diagnostic term and is based on an IQ assessment, rather than a functional assessment,” Dr Alvares said.

“It was originally used to describe people without an intellectual disability, yet somehow has crept into everyday use and has come to imply that people can manage perfectly fine, and don’t experience any everyday challenges.”

Dr Alvares said that for many individuals with autism spectrum disorder, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Click here to read more.

2019 Life with Brain Injury Conference - OPEN

ONLY TWO WEEKS UNTIL THE
2019 Life with Brain Injury Conference!

Make sure you sign up today at:

 www.biaofsc.com

PLEASE VIEW THE BROCHURE

ON THE WEBSITE PRIOR TO REGISTRATION!!

Scholarship and Youth Track Registration

must call the office to complete your registration!
803-731-9823

It's Your Money. Learn to Manage It!

Join us for a FREE training online or in-person to learn about:

• how money impacts the way we live our lives
• steps to reach your financial goals
• budgeting tools to help you manage your money

Register here!

Monday, July 22
1:00-2:00 PM
Online

Tuesday, July 23
2-3:30 PM
Able SC Columbia

Make requests for accommodations as soon as possible

by calling 800-681-6805/TTY: 803-779-0949

or emailing dtempio@able-sc.org



PACK the PARK with the Columbia Fireflies and SCSCIA!

Pack the Park 2019 is approaching!

The Spinal Cord Injury Association and Midlands Gives are participating in a fundraising event with the Columbia Fireflies.

Enjoy a day of fun at the ballpark with family and friends.  Tickets are only $10, and $5 from each ticket will be donated back to the non-profit. They can be ordered by clicking the link below.  We will email you a form to fill out.

Tickets will be available for pick up at the box office starting Friday, July 26 from 9AM-6PM and will be available day off at will call. Tickets will be under our name.

All ticket orders must be given to us by July 22 in order to be included in the Pack the Park event.

Get your tickets!

Lunch & Learn Opportunity

Join us for a Lunch & Learn

Calling all caregivers...

We are having a lunch and learn session

 

September 25 from 11:30-1:00

 

at Encompass Health in Columbia, SC

to discuss what caregivers need in terms of support. 

We will have some professionals joining us.

 

If you are interested in attending,

please call Angela at (803) 252-2198. 



Check Out Our New Title!

Making Self-Employment Work

for

People with Disabilities

2014 

by

Cary Griffin, David Hammis,

Beth Keeton, and Molly Sullivan

Click here to check for availability!

As self-employment becomes a viable option for more and more adults with significant disabilities, give them realistic, practical guidance and support with the NEW edition of this popular guidebook. Updated with a new and improved assessment approach, more self-employment success stories, and the latest on policy changes and online opportunities, this book is your step-by-step guide to helping adults with disabilities get a small business off to a strong start. You’ll discover the nuts and bolts of person-centered business planning, and you'll get concrete, step-by-step strategies for every aspect, from business plans to marketing to finances. A must-have resource for employment specialists, transition professionals, and individuals with disabilities and their families, this book is the go-to guide for turning a small business into a big success.

Click here for more information.