Check out these amazing holiday events!

Sensory Santa

Orlando residents! On December 16th come and meet Santa at Speak Easy Solutions! Your child will be able to meet Santa in a sensory friendly environment with treats! You don't want to miss out! 

For more information on how to get tickets, click here!

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FAU CARD iRISE2 Mentor Information Session

Join for an online zoom workshop provided by FAU CARD regarding their iRISE2 program! iRISE2, Interest and Relationships Impacting Social Engagement and Employment, Mentoring Program provides high functioning individuals diagnosed with autism the opportunity to engage in a supportive one-to-one mentoring relationship. This online session will go over everything you need to know to become a mentor!

For more information or to register click here!

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Karaoke Christmas Toy Drive

Attention Atlanta area residents! Join a festive Christmas Karaoke/Open Mic event at Twelve Midtown, Autograph Collection in Atlanta, GA, USA on December 10th! Spread the holiday cheer by participating in this Christmas Toy Drive. But don't forget to get your vocals ready and bring a smile to a child's face by donating new, unwrapped toys. Your generosity will make a difference in our community. Don't miss out on this opportunity to give back and celebrate the joy of giving.

For more information or to get tickets click here!

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Holiday Cheer with Friends

Tampa residents F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will be having 3 amazing events this month!! There will be a dinner party tomorrow! Another dinner party on December 15th and then a breakfast with Santa on December 16th! Be sure to check this out and take your family! 

For more information on any of these events click here!

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Article Alert!

Strategies for Navigating the Holidays 

with a Special Needs Child

December has started and that means lots of holidays are approaching or have begun! This can be a bit of a difficult time for children or teens with special needs or sensory issues. There may be too many people gathered together or too much going on. It may be difficult managing your child during the holiday season but MKSA has amazing tips for you ! Some of these tips include making holiday cards for family members in advance, creating an organized calendar, or meeting a quiet Santa. There are more tips that may be very helpful for you so make sure you click down below and read this article for yourself!

Read Article

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This Week's Program Spotlight: AccessAbility!

Meet one of our programs: AccessAbility! AccessAbility is one of our parent programs designed to help parents find an easier way to access the right special needs resources to design a plan for you and your child. This can be a difficult and overwhelming time, but AccessAbility can help make this process easier for you! With AccessAbility, access the resources you need to make a plan for your child. 

For more information click here!

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This Week's Spotlight: Faithful and Able

Meet one of our programs: Faithful and Able. Faithful and Able is one of our programs designed for churches, as it provides the necessary curriculum for churches to provide the necessary resources and support to special needs families. It also offers one on one consulting to help apply these methods on Sundays. 

To learn more about this program click here!

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ABLE United

ABLE United, Florida’s qualified ABLE program, was designed for Floridians with a variety of disabilities including those diagnosed with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, cognitive and developmental disabilities, as well as mental health disorders.  

ABLE accounts are a tax-free savings and investment account that generally do not count as a resource for public benefit programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. Funds can be used to pay for qualified disability expenses like doctor’s appointments, transportation, housing, education, and even everyday living expenses including groceries. 

For more information click here.

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ABLE Today

Not a Florida resident? Visit ABLEtoday.org for more information. ABLE Today is the national ABLE initiative lead by The National Association of State Treasurers Foundation (NAST Foundation). 

For more information click here.

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AUCD Weekly -12/06/23

Announcements

AIR-P Presents: Health Outcomes for Sexually-Diverse and Gender-Diverse Autistic Adults

Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET

We know that a substantial number of autistic people are sexually-diverse (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual) or gender-diverse (e.g., transgender, gender non-conforming), but what do we know about their mental and physical health? Dr. Graham Holmes will discuss the current state of the literature and present findings from two studies that used innovative methods to learn about health disparities for this population. 

Call for Submissions: AUCD 360 - December 2023

Deadline: December 15, 2023

We invite you to submit articles the December issue of AUCD 360. The AUCD 360 Newsletter is a great opportunity to present faculty awards, changes in leadership, new research developments, events, and other accomplishments of interest to our entire AUCD network. You may submit your article(s) via the AUCD 360 Submission page on our website.

View the full list of Announcements.

***

Funding

AUCD Releases Request for One-Year Proposals on AAC Use and Development of a Peer Support Model

Deadline: December 18, 2023

Award Ceiling: $300,000

AUCD is seeking proposals for a contracted entity to fulfill a scope of work central to an effort federally funded by the AoD, Administration for Community Living (ACL) that will seek to co-create a nationwide comprehensive, consensus-based peer support model to advance the use of AAC. This one-year planning project is anticipated to yield a rich source of recommendations for peer support models anticipated to improve the lives of AAC users.

AHRQ Challenge: Harnessing Data Visualization to Advance Equity in Clinical Services

Deadline: January 5, 2024

Award Ceiling: $440,000

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is announcing a Challenge competition to accelerate the identification and elimination of disparities in the receipt of clinical preventive services. Preventive services include, but are not limited to, immunizations, screening tests, and counseling on healthy behaviors. Receiving preventive services can reduce the incidence of serious health conditions and save lives.

***

Resources

Tuesdays with Liz: How OSERS is Improving Education for People with Disabilities

Check out the latest episode of Tuesdays with Liz, “How OSERS is Improving Education for People with Disabilities,” to learn more about the current projects the US Department of Education OSERS Program is working on to improve education and transition services for people with disabilities. Find the full episode on YouTube. 

Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities Launches New Website

The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities, a national resource center funded by ACL’s Administration on Disabilities (AoD), has launched a new website to help young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) direct their own transition to the adult health care system. Developed for and by youth with I/DD, the site has a variety of both person-centered and culturally competent tools and resources to help support youth, their families, and health care professionals through this important transition. The site also includes resources developed by Center partners, including Family Voices, Got Transition, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, and two AoD-funded University Centers of Excellence in Development Disabilities (UCEDDs): the Institute for Human Development at University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Both of these UCEDDs have done extensive work in the field of health care transitions for youth with I/DD.

Click here to read more of this issue!

Barrier Free Vaccine Clinic Dec. 15 in Columbia

Healthy Laughter

Able SC Barrier Free Vaccine Clinic

FREE Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines 

will be available! 

Get your flu and COVID-19 shots! Able SC is partnering with Healthy Laughter to host Barrier-free a vaccine clinic. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available for ages 3 and up! 

Individuals will receive a $20 gift card upon receipt of their FREE influenza and/or COVID-19 vaccine, while supplies last. That means you could get up to $40 in gift cards if you get both vaccinations.

ASL and Spanish interpreters will be available.

Don't miss your chance to protect yourself and others from the flu this fall and winter. 

Questions? 

Contact us at 1-800-787-6046

Friday, Dec. 15, 4pm- 6:30pm

5124 Fairfield Rd. 

Columbia, SC 29203

Light refreshments will be served.

Adaptive Gifts for $100 or Less

December 5, 2023

PRODUCTS

Seven Holiday Gift Ideas for Wheelchair Users 

-- $100 or Less

Almost everything seems expensive these days, so we went searching for the best deals on adaptive products. Here are seven reasonably-priced items — from wheelchair slippers, to a rain jacket for your legs, to a no-spill hot water kettle and more.

SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITY

Share Your #WheelchairLife Hacks

1. Loop a reusable shopping bag handle over the water bottle.
2. Twist until handle is tight.
3. Lift with transfer board.

Wheelchair user Vince Stark shared this trick for getting your water bottle out of the center console without transferring back into the car, and we want to hear other ingenious ideas. Share your own #WheelchairLife Hacks for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of New Mobility. Send us an email with one to three photos that show your hack along with a caption.

PRO TIPS

Fighting for the Equipment We Need

Regan Linton was excited when it came time to get a new wheelchair, but the process of ordering one quickly burst her bubble. “Getting the equipment we need to maximize our health and productivity should be the standard; sadly it has become a privilege,” she writes. Instead of accepting this sorry state of affairs, Linton decided to fight back and be the squeaky wheel advocating for her own needs and those of the broader community.

Click here to read more of this issue!

More amazing things at AW!

NEW VORTEX RELEASE

Click here to watch video!

Tracy Slepcevic

How Biomedical Interventions are Life Changing! This conversation is an inspirational testimonial of how biomedical interventions helped her son lose his Autism symptoms! The Author of Warrior Mom (https://tinyurl.com/2s4e8bbw) details her journey of research, and against all odds perseverance. Some of the ideas we discussed: stem cell therapy, hyperbaric chambers, diet and nutrition, IV Ozone Therapy and more.

Listen Now 

For the Parents

2023 MHA Winter Break Camp

Orlando residents! Michael Academy invites you to enroll your child in their Winter Break camp starting on the 19th-29th. Their objective is to increase social skills in individuals with intellectual disabilities (Autism, down syndrome, Cerebral palsy) by providing various activities in the community with a focus on daily living skills to enhance their lives. They will have fun activities such as arts & crafts, community events, and teach social skills and daily living skills. Click here to register. 

Special Needs Child Care Connections: 

Finding and/or providing child care

Join Milestone Magazine for an online session this Saturday December 16th at 12pm. These sessions are for families and providers to air their concerns about finding or providing care. They also are inviting childcare training providers to these events. Click here to get more information. 

Click here to read more from Abilities Workshop!

Abilities Workshop Inc.

407-951-6117

www.Abilitiesworkshop.com

AUCD Weekly

November 29, 2023

Announcements

Listening Session Request

High Alpha Innovation is partnering with a national health insurance firm to identify new solutions and programs to help SNAP-eligible people with disabilities get into, use, and renew the program. The most important part of the effort is to identify the right problems to work on, which can only be done by listening to the experiences of people who are eligible for, are using, or previously used SNAP. They would like to spend 45 mins to one hour with a group of individuals, or 20-30 minutes with individuals, who have experience in SNAP. Participants will receive a $50 stipend. The goal is to listen to first hand experiences of how people from across a diversity of demographics and circumstances are experiencing the program today and what could be made better. Please email Liz Schneider at eschneider@aucd.org if you can connect us to potential interviewees.

2023 National Survey on Health and Disability

The University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies — funded by ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) — is seeking adults with disabilities to complete the 2023 National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD). The NSHD gives voice to the concerns of people with disabilities and documents their experiences with a variety of issues, including access to health care, insurance coverage, housing, transportation, Long COVID, employment, education, and more. The survey is open to U.S. adults 18 and older with any disability and/or health condition. For more information, please call 855-556-6328 (Voice/TTY) or email healthsurvey@ku.edu. Participants may complete the survey by phone.

View the full list of Announcements.

Funding

AUCD Releases Request for One-Year Proposals on AAC Use and Development of a Peer Support Model

Deadline: December 18, 2023

Award Ceiling: $300,000

AUCD is seeking proposals for a contracted entity to fulfill a scope of work central to an effort federally funded by the AoD, Administration for Community Living (ACL) that will seek to co-create a nationwide comprehensive, consensus-based peer support model to advance the use of AAC. This one-year planning project is anticipated to yield a rich source of recommendations for peer support models anticipated to improve the lives of AAC users.

Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation - Mental Health Care Research

Deadline: January 15, 2024

Award Ceiling: $100,000

The Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation awards fellowship grants annually to outstanding post-doctoral candidates who are investigating the causes, prevention, and treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD or depression, especially those from low-income families and under-resourced communities, or other marginalized populations that may have limited supports and resources.

Resources

Think College Resource: Guides for Program Development

Think College recently published two resources that are "must reads" if you are planning to start a college or university program for students with intellectual disability. One offers a great overview of important steps and a short summary of the key decisions to make in each step. The other goes into more detail, and shares extensive lists of additional resources that will be relevant for each stage of program development.

Connecting People with Disabilities to Local Community Resources

Watch these new videos to learn how the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) helps people with disabilities and their loved ones by connecting them to requested community supports. Launched in 2021 to help people with disabilities access COVID-19 vaccinations, DIAL also provides information about essential services such as transportation, housing support, disability rights and more. Call, text or videophone (ASL users) 888-677-1199 or visit dial.acl.gov for more information or to start an online chat.

Click here to read more of this issue!

Bridge Access Program increases access to vaccines!

Bridge Access Program 

Increases Access to Vaccines

COVID-19 infections continue to rise in South Carolina. Currently South Carolina's daily hospital admissions average is 59 people per day. People with disabilities are considered a high-risk group for severe sickness and death caused by COVID-19. Receiving a vaccination against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect yourself and those around you from the virus. COVID-19 vaccines work well to prevent severe sickness, keep you out of the hospital, and avoid death. Getting your COVID-19 vaccine can also help keep you safe from Long COVID. Even if you’ve previously had a COVID-19 infection or shot, receiving the 2023-2024 updated vaccine for ongoing protection against the illness is important.

Do not let fear of a cost prevent you from receiving your COVID-19 vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccinations will remain available free of charge to people who have insurance. The Bridge Access Program launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control will keep vaccines free for adults 18+ who are under-insured or without insurance through December 2024. Children whose parents or guardians cannot afford the cost of vaccines can be covered under the Vaccines for Children Program.

To find out where you can get your updated COVID and flu vaccines, go to Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code to bring up a list of locations near you. This website also allows you to filter sites by their ability to vaccinate children and/or whether they participate in the Bridge Access Program.

Able SC has numerous Barrier-free vaccine clinics planned for the fall and winter. Please follow our social media channels for announcements of dates and times. Vaccinations received at Able SC Barrier-free vaccine clinics remain free of charge.

Have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine?

Check out the South Carolina Disability Vaccine Access Network's Frequently asked questions or call our hotline at 1-800-787-6046.

Contact Us

References: 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023, September 12). “Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations Are Now Available.”
• Disability Vaccine Access Network

Empower Hour: Last in person of the year!

EMPOWER HOUR 2023

Now available in-person and online!

Peer Networking - Discover your power!

Have a disability? Want to build your support network? Empower Hour is led by your peers and meets to discuss independence, share resources, make new friends, and give support to each other. Empower Hour is a great chance to connect with others.

If you are interested in participating in either the online or in-person support group, please RSVP by email to info@able-sc.org or by calling 1-800-681-6805, TTY: 803-779-0949 at least one day before the meeting.

To make a request for an accommodation based upon disability, for either the in-person or online Empower Hour, please call us at 800-681-6805 or email at info@able-sc.org  a week before the event.

Empower Hour Online: 

Every Thursday from 1 pm to 2 pm.

Empower Hour In-Person: 

Monthly from 4 pm to 5 pm in our Columbia & Greenville Offices

December 14

*To ensure safety people attending Empower Hour in person must have their temperatures checked at office front doors and wear a mask. The number of participants will be limited to allow for social distancing.

Able South Carolina

720 Gracern Road, Suite 106

Columbia, South Carolina 29210

803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org

Freeze Warning! Prepare for Winter Weather!

Winter weather is coming 

to South Carolina!

Cold temperatures below freezing are in our forecast. Be sure to know what to do when cold weather strikes! Check out this Easy Read Cold Weather Safety tool.

Stay indoors when possible:

• Dress in layers of loose-fitting, warm, protective clothing. 
• Stay updated on your local weather by listening to television or radio news.
• Keep your pets inside.
• All other animals should be sheltered and supplied with fresh, non-frozen water. 
• Remember to eat regular, nutritious meals.
• Stay hydrated by drinking water as well as warm broths and juices. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol should be avoided as they cause dehydration.

If you go outdoors:

• Again, dress in layered, loose-fitting clothing; add a pair of gloves or mittens as well as a hat. Your outer layer of clothing should be water-repellent. 
• Wear a scarf or muffler over your mouth to protect your lungs from the cold air. 
• Avoid spending long periods of time outside as that may increase your chance of developing hypothermia or frostbite.
• Stay dry while outdoors. If your clothing or any part of your body becomes wet, it is time to head indoors to warm up and change clothing.
• If you must work outside, avoid overexertion as this can be dangerous in extreme temperatures. 
• Take great care when walking on snowy, icy sidewalks. 
• Avoid walking to your destination; use public transportation or request-a-ride apps if you do not drive.

Learn more: Red Cross, How to Prepare for Winter Emergencies

Able South Carolina

803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org

AUCD Weekly

November 22, 2023

Announcements

AUCD 2023 Conference Attendees - Share Your Thoughts

It was wonderful to see all of you who came to Washington, DC for the AUCD 2023 Conference, especially AUCD Emerging Leaders! We hope it was a meaningful and engaging experience for each of you. Thank you for your energy, expertise, and passion for the important work you do every day! Please share your feedback! Let us know your favorite moments throughout AUCD 2023, things you would change, and ideas for future Conferences by completing this 10-question survey. Your responses are vital as we plan for AUCD 2024.

AIR-P Presents: Health Outcomes for Sexually-Diverse and Gender-Diverse Autistic Adults

Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 4:00 PM  - 5:00 PM ET

We know that a substantial number of autistic people are sexually-diverse (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual) or gender-diverse (e.g., transgender, gender non-conforming), but what do we know about their mental and physical health? Dr. Graham Holmes will discuss the current state of the literature and present findings from two studies that used innovative methods to learn about health disparities for this population.

NACDD is Hiring an Executive Director

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), based in Washington DC is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative Executive Director. NACDD is the national association for the 56 Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils) across the United States and its territories. The DD Councils receive federal funding to support programs that promote self-determination, integration and inclusion for all people in the United States with developmental disabilities. Full recruitment packet and position description at: NACDD Executive Director Details

Funding

Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, Bridge to Independence Program

Deadline: January 10, 2024

Award Ceiling: $600,000

The Simons Foundation invites applications for the SFARI Bridge to Independence (BTI) program, which engages talented early-career scientists from diverse and/or historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue research in autism and facilitates their transition into independent faculty positions at a research institution within or outside the United States. The BTI Award program welcomes applications that span the breadth of science that SFARI supports, including genetics, molecular mechanisms, circuits and systems, and clinical science.

Administration for Community Living, National Limb Loss Resource Center

Deadline: January 22, 2024

Award Ceiling: $4,062,099

ACL intends to award one five-year cooperative agreement to an organization to operate the National Limb Loss Resource Center to help improve the quality of life for people of all ages living with limb loss/limb difference, their families, and their support networks. The resource center will do this by ensuring the availability and accessibility of the most comprehensive, high-quality, evidence-based information, resources, and supports so that people with and without disabilities can live, learn, work, play, and prosper. Applicants will describe how they will carry out activities within seven overlapping categories: A National Resource Center with information and referral services, a National Website, Outreach and Education programs, Peer Mentoring, Youth Engagement, Collaboration and conducting a Performance Assessment.

Resources

Connecting People with Disabilities to Local Community Resources

Watch these new videos to learn how the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) helps people with disabilities and their loved ones by connecting them to requested community supports. Launched in 2021 to help people with disabilities access COVID-19 vaccinations, DIAL also provides information about essential services such as transportation, housing support, disability rights and more. Call, text or videophone (ASL users) 888-677-1199 or visit dial.acl.gov for more information or to start an online chat.

National Birth Defects Awareness Month Toolkit

CDC has developed graphics and messages in preparation for the upcoming National Birth Defects Awareness Month in January 2024. Help us raise awareness to improve the health of people living with these conditions and widen the available network of support. Use the National Birth Defects Awareness Month hashtags (#EveryJourneyMatters and #BirthDefects) to help us track tweets, likes, clicks, and other engagement. There are example posts in the toolkit with options that you can modify to fit your organization’s mission or individual preferences.

Click here to read more of this issue!

November Youth Newsletter

Spotlight

Equip Alumni Spotlights

Here are some incredible alumni we wanted to shout out and celebrate for their hard work and success here at Able!

Holden was just promoted to a new title as Youth Independent Living Specialist. Congratulations, Holden! 

As an Equip Leader, Holden developed, hosted, and assisted with programs for youth with disabilities in order to teach essential living skills, encourage interdependence, and connect youth with disabilities with their community of peers like them. He has actively promoted Equip’s mission to empower youth in the community. 

Derrick recently won the April Dunn Start Your Journey Award from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities for his dedication in encouraging and educating all individuals with disabilities across South Carolina. Congratulations, Derrick!

Derrick’s involvement with Equip was through teaching others with disabilities how to self-advocate. He enjoyed working with Equip because it allowed him to put his skills to the test.

“People with disabilities can do it and we are able.” 

Derrick Means

*****

Events

Equip Hangouts

The Equip Hangouts occur on the first and third Thursdays of every month from 6-7 PM. The first Thursday hangout is a virtual meeting. The third Thursday hangout is in person at the Greenville and Columbia Able SC offices. In December, the in person Equip hangout will be on the 2nd Thursday, December 14, since the Able SC offices will be closed on December 21. Equip Leaders and Mentors help empower their peers to take charge of their lives, find their unique voice to self-advocate, and engage with their community of peers more fully. If you have any questions or need help registering, email equip@able-sc.org or call us at 864.235.1421. 

Upcoming Equip Hangouts:

Thursday, December 7, 6-7 PM, Virtual

Thursday, December 14, 6-7 PM, In Person

Register for the link here!

Join the Equip Discord Community!

Join Equip's Discord community to engage with our team of Youth Transition Specialists and mentors to stay informed about the exciting events we have planned throughout the year. 

Our dedicated Equip Leaders and mentors are made available through this program to provide you with valuable guidance, facilitate insightful conversations, participate in exhilarating gaming experiences, and curate unforgettable social interactions for our esteemed members. 

Picture yourself immersed in riveting gaming sessions, enjoying hilarious memes, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions, all within a vibrant atmosphere that allows you to express your true self. It's where the convergence of learning and laughter takes place, offering a fresh chance each day to forge meaningful friendships, expand your horizons, and savor moments of enjoyment. Join us now, and let the journey begin! 

Sign up for Discord!

*****

Youth Resources

"Can I Play That?" Accessible Gaming Resource 

“Can I Play That?” is a gaming review that assesses how certain games may affect someone with a disability. Assessments are done by gamers with disabilities! Here, they explore the game's design, mechanics, controls, and overall user experience, considering factors like physical disabilities, visual disabilities, cognitive disabilities, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and more. 

The program aims to provide comprehensive insights into how accessible or challenging a game may be for disabled individuals. By shedding light on these critical aspects, "Can I Play That?" empowers both gamers with disabilities and game developers alike. Gamers can make informed choices about the games they wish to play, while developers can gain valuable feedback to enhance their games' accessibility features. This symbiotic relationship fosters a gaming community where everyone can enjoy the immersive worlds of video games, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities.

So, if you're a gamer with a disability seeking the perfect new game, "Can I Play That?" is your trusted resource, bridging the gap between gaming and accessibility and ensuring that everyone can participate in the joy of gaming. Welcome to a world where gaming truly knows no boundaries! 

The New ACCESSIBLE Beauty Industry

Recently, the beauty industry has been expanding to include people with varying identities. There has been a slow but steady push for greater accessibility within the beauty industry. This article discusses the creators who are paving a way to making makeup and beauty products attainable, affordable, AND accessible for everyone!

If you’re interested in learning more about this movement, read this article! There are some great references and conversations about the ways that we can all help to continue the positive change in accessibility happening within the beauty industry.

Read the Article!

*****

Advocacy

North Carolina Now Leads the U.S. in Suspending Students With Disabilities

WCNC reports that North Carolina has the highest rate of suspending students with disabilities. Students with disabilities across North Carolina are labeled with behavioral issues within public schools and, unfortunately, are subject to disciplinary action at a MUCH higher rate than their peers.

This article explains why this is happening, who is most at risk, and possible solutions for the community and lawmakers. The state of North Carolina is considering related policies from across the United States, but when will we see action?

Read the article!

*****

Partner and National Events

South Carolina Interagency Transition Conference

Only a few tickets remaining!

TASC is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated 8th Annual State Transition Conference, taking place in Greenville from November 26th to 28th. 

The State Transition Conference is a premier gathering that brings together experts, thought leaders, and practitioners from various disciplines to share insights, exchange ideas, and explore innovative approaches to state transition. This year's conference promises to be an enriching experience, offering diverse workshops, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities.

During the three-day event, attendees can engage in interactive sessions led by renowned experts in the field. These sessions will cover many topics, including best practices in state transition planning, effective strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities, and the latest advancements in assistive technology.

In addition to the educational sessions, the conference will also feature an exhibition hall showcasing cutting-edge products, services, and resources related to state transition. This will allow attendees to connect with industry-leading organizations and discover innovative solutions that can enhance their work in this field.

Register for the conference!

*****

Able South Carolina

803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org

They're back! Free at-home COVID-19 test kits!

FREE COVID-19 Test Kits Ordering Open:

Order FREE COVID-19 tests NOW

We also have free test kits at our Able SC Columbia & Greenville offices. 

Call us today or stop by to pick one up!

Starting November 1st, households in the United States can order four additional free COVID-19 tests from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These self-tests (or at-home tests) are easy to use and provide quick results. Self-tests are one of the many resources that can protect you and others from stopping the spread of COVID-19.

To order free self-tests:

• Go online to COVIDTests.gov
• Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489)
• Call or email the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) at 1-888-677-1199 or DIAL@usaginganddisability.org

*****

Protect yourself further with vaccination- 

call the 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

Bargain Shopping

Register for this free training!

Shop for bargains and learn ways to buy 

or create gift items at a good price. 

Online: December 4 from 3 pm to 4 pm

In Person at Columbia & Greenville Offices: 

December 5 from 3 pm to 4:30 pm

Registration will close the day before the training.

For questions, contact info@able-sc.org.

Register Now!

Be prepared for the holidays!

Be prepared for the holidays 

Keep yourself and others healthy!

1 in 3 South Carolinians has a disability.

We know that people with disabilities are higher risk for  getting very sick or dying from COVID-19, flu, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses.

Here's some easy things you can do to stay healthy, and prevent sickness in those you love.

• More people are choosing not to wear masks.
• You can still wear a mask to protect yourself.
• Even without a mask, you can stay healthy and keep others healthy by:
• getting your vaccines
• washing your hands often
• staying home when you are sick
• staying away from sick people.

Sickness that is mild for some can be deadly

for people with disabilities of all ages.

1) Getting your COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from getting very sick and dying from these illnesses.

2) Getting your vaccines protects you and others! Everyone visiting you for the holidays should be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu.

3) Anyone ages 6 months and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu.

4) When gathering, be sure to wash your hands often, especially after touching surfaces or items that are being touched by other people. Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth, and eyes to prevent spreading germs to yourself.

5) If you feel sick, even just a little bit, don't gather with others. Stay home. Seek out a COVID-19, flu, or RSV test if you are unsure what your sickness is. Staying home when you are sick protects others.

6) Tell your guests not to come to your gathering if they feel sick, even a little bit. Miss them? Make an effort to talk on the phone, over video chat, or meet when they are well.

Extra tips:

• If you have to care for someone who is sick, wear a mask around them to protect yourself. You can't help them if you are sick too.
• Black, Indigenous, and other people of color with disabilities are at an even greater risk of getting very sick and dying from COVID-19 and the flu. Learn more and read stories from BIPOC people who've gotten vaccinated to protect themselves at this link: https://www.able-sc.org/bipocvax/
• Still got questions about vaccines and your disability? Check out the detailed resources here: www.scdisabilityvaccine.org

Able SC BIPOC Webpage

Are you still unsure about vaccination? Call the SC Disability Vaccine Access Hotline: 1-800-787-6046. Ask questions and get help making your plan!

SCDisabilityVaccine.org