Protect Your Community This Summer - Secure Your Shot!

Summer is here!

Are you up to date on 

your COVID-19 vaccination?

Summer is here and Able South Carolina wants you to stay safe this season. Getting your COVID-19 vaccination & staying up to date on your boosters is a way to ensure safety for you, your family, and your community. 

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Do you need your 1st COVID-19 vaccination? 

This would mean you have not gotten any form of COVID-19 vaccination yet. If so, you have 3 vaccine options: 

1. Pfizer Bivalent MRNA vaccine 
2. Moderna Bivalent MRNA vaccine 
3. Novavax Adjuvanted monovalent vaccine 

The Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine are Bivalent. This means they protect you from both the original COVID-19 strain and the Omicron strain. 

The Novavax vaccine is Monovalent. This means it protects you from the original COVID-19 strain, only. 

Pfizer 

• For children/adults 5 years or older, you may get one dose of the Pfizer vaccine and be considered vaccinated.  
• Children 6 months to 4 years may receive three doses of the Pfizer vaccines to be considered vaccinated. 

Moderna 

• For children/adults 5 years or older, you may receive one dose of the Moderna vaccine and be considered vaccinated. 
• Children 6 months to 4 years may receive two doses of the Moderna vaccine to be considered vaccinated 

Novavax 

• You must be 12 years or older to receive Novavax. 
• Novavax requires a second dose 3 to 8 weeks after the first dose. 
• This means that if you choose the Novavax vaccine, you will need a total of two shots. 

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Is it time for your follow-up COVID-19 vaccine booster? 

If you have received only one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, it may be time for your booster shot. A booster shot is a follow-up dose of the vaccine to keep you protected from the COVID-19 illness. Here are the next steps to receiving a booster shot. 

Pfizer and Moderna 

• If you are 65 or older, you may receive a second dose 4 months after your first shot. 
• If you are immune compromised, you may receive a second dose 2 months after your first shot. 
• Children who are immune compromised and between the ages of 6 months to 4 years may receive a booster, depending on their vaccine history. For more information on this, ask the healthcare professional giving the vaccines. 

Novavax 

• If you are 18 or older, you may get a second dose 6 months after your first shot. 
• Most healthcare professionals prefer that you get a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine booster because they will protect you against both strains of COVID-19. If you would like one of these vaccines as your booster and have gotten Novavax as your first vaccine, you may get a Moderna or Pfizer booster 2 months after your Novavax shot.  

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What booster should you get if you previously received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?  

If you previously received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you are still eligible for a booster, even though that brand is no longer offered. 

Here are your options if you have gotten the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and would like to get a booster shot: 

• Pfizer booster at least 2 months after your first shot. 
• Moderna booster 2 months after your first shot. 
• If you are 18 or older and do not want Moderna or Pfizer, you may receive Novavax as your booster. 

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How can I get my vaccine? 

COVID-19 vaccinations should remain free for the remainder of 2023. There are many places you can go to receive your shot. 

Here are some resources: 

• www.vaccines.gov can help you find a location providing COVID-19 vaccines anywhere in the U.S. This website can also help you find a location to get your flu shot. 
• The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has a vaccine locator. Simply follow the link and put in your zip code. A list of vaccine sites and contact information for each location will be offered. 
• Able South Carolina is also available to help. Call our vaccine hotline at 1-800-787-6046 or explore our COVID-19 disability access website for information on the COVID-19 virus, vaccines, and treatments.  

SCDisabilityVaccine.org

Contact our Vaccine Access Helpline 

at 1-800-787-6046

As with all healthcare interventions, always consult your healthcare provider with questions or concerns before proceeding with treatment.

Refeences:  

1. Food and Drug Administration (2023, April 18). “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update:  FDA Authorizes Changes to Simplify Use of Bivalent MRNA COVID-19Vaccines.”: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-changes-simplify-use-bivalent-mrna-covid-19-vaccines 

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023, April 19), “CDC Simplifies COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations, Allows Older Adults and Immunocompromised Adults to Get Second Dose of the Updated Vaccine.”: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/s0419-covid-vaccines.html  

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023, May 12), “Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States.” https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html 

4. Food and Drug Administration (2023, June 6), “Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted.” Fact Sheet home https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/coronavirus-covid-19-cber-regulated-biologics/novavax-covid-19-vaccine-adjuvanted 

5. Food and Drug Administration (2023, June 2) “Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine.” Fact Sheet home page. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/coronavirus-covid-19-cber-regulated-biologics/janssen-covid-19-vaccine

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. 

View our website

View our Facebook

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During the Quarterly meeting on June 1, Lance Beecher, with Clemson University, and Cali Sandel, with Able South Carolina, presented on the South Carolina AgrAbility Project.  

AgrAbility SC is a partnership that began in October 2022. It is a 4-year initiative with cooperative projects through Clemson University, South Carolina State University, and Able SC. The partnership will increase South Carolina disabled farmers' productivity on the farm through programs and training through education, networking, direct assistance, and marketing. The presentation provided an overview of agriculture in South Carolina, the history of the AgrAbility program, and how you can support this initiative. Project partners are a mixture of agricultural organizations, Veterans organizations, state agencies, and disability-specific programs.  

Please get the word out to consumers and organizations about this exciting new initiative! If your organization would like to get involved in the Advisory Committee or you know individuals who could benefit from this program, contact Lance Beecher or Cali Sandel, and Sandy Jordan.  

View the Power Point Presentation

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Save the date for the next Benefits Workshop! 

Thursday, August 24, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM 

• Are you a Veteran receiving SSI/SSDI and interested in going to work or increasing your earnings? 
• Have you been told that doing so would cause you to automatically lose your cash benefits? 
• If so, register for a free workshop to let us dispel some of the myths about working while receiving VA Benefits/SSI/SSDI and connect you with local organizations that can help you with your job search! 

Join us on Thursday, August 24, from 10 AM - 12 PM through Zoom! This workshop will be most beneficial to people who already receive SSI/SSDI or have some basic knowledge of it. Please contact Melissa Snyder if you have any questions. 

Thank you to Disability Rights SC for providing funding to make this workshop possible!  

Register for the Workshop!

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Phasing Out Subminimum Wage in SC - Provider Stories 

Laurens County Disability and Special Needs Board (Laurens DSNB) and Thrive Upstate are sharing their stories about phasing out subminimum wage. Laurens DSNB ended subminimum wage within their agency several years ago, and Thrive Upstate has been in the process of phasing it out. In their blog post, Thrive Upstate discusses how they moved contracts in which people were paid subminimum wage and turned it into competitive employment—Laurens DSNB talks about how ending subminimum wage led to a cultural shift in their organization. In addition to the blog post, Laurens DSNB also recorded a video about their experience with phasing out subminimum wage.  

Due to the passing of bill S.533 in May 2022, subminimum wage must be completely phased out in South Carolina by August 1, 2024. Both Laurens DSNB and Thrive Upstate can provide technical assistance to agencies in this process. Please share these resources with providers! Thank you to the SC Developmental Disabilities Council for funding this work. 

Thrive Upstate's Blog Post

Laurens DSNB's Blog Post

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Hybrid SCDEC Quarterly Meetings 

will resume in September  

The South Carolina Disability Employment Coalition is excited to offer an in-person option for our next meeting on Thursday, September 7! Attendees can meet in person at the Able SC Columbia office or participate virtually through Zoom. Please be on the lookout for additional updates as we approach September. 

If you have not attended these meetings before, and are interested in learning more about the Coalition, contact Hire Me SC. SCDEC stakeholders represent South Carolina employers, state and private agencies, and individuals with disabilities who are working together to eliminate employment barriers for South Carolinians with disabilities. The Coalition meets quarterly as a whole and has project-focused workgroups.   

Contact SCDEC!

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2023 Employer Summit Keynote Speaker announcement 

Wednesday, October 18, 2023 

10:00 AM-3:00 PM 

Phillips Market Center, West Columbia, SC & Livestream 

We are thrilled to welcome W. Keller Kissam, President of Dominion Energy South Carolina, as our 2023 Employer Summit Keynote Speaker! Kissam oversees Dominion Energy’s regulated utility in South Carolina serving about 1.1 million electric and gas customer accounts. 

Register now to secure your spot! The Employer Summit is a one-day conference for business managers, executives, and HR professionals ready to hire and retain a workforce inclusive of people with disabilities. The Employer Summit will show businesses how including individuals with disabilities will strengthen their workforce.  

Attendees will have access to the same content whether they choose to attend in-person or virtual. The registration fee is $95 for both in-person and online attendees. Discounts are available for businesses that register 5 or more! Contact hiremesc@able-sc.org to inquire. 

Register for the Summit!

Field Notes June 2023

Employment

The following two articles are from the June Special Issue of Inclusion on Employment 

Employment Preparation Experiences of Youth With Intellectual Disability and Autism Who Attend College-Based Transition Programs

An article published in the June 2023 issue of Inclusion by authors affiliated with the University of Massachusetts examines the composition of employment preparation activities in college-based transition programs. (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee)

Work-Based Learning Experiences and Students With Intellectual Disability

An article published in the June 2023 issue of Inclusion by authors affiliated with the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign describes a study observing the extent to which students with intellectual disability participate in work-based learning experiences and determine whether student characteristics relate to student participation in these activities. (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee) 

Outcomes Research 

Using the Independent Monitoring for Quality Program to Examine Longitudinal Outcomes for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

An article published in the June 2023 issue of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by authors affiliated with the University of Minnesota and Temple University illustrates the importance of longitudinal data collection by sharing the results of the Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) program in Pennsylvania. (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee) 

Impact of Social-, Health-, and Disability-Related Factors on Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Population-Based Latent Class Analysis

An article published in Volume 16, Issue 2 of the Disability and Health Journal by authors affiliate with the University of Toronto and the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre identifies and describes subgroups of pregnant women with IDD according to social, health, and disability-related factors and examine the risks of perinatal complications in these subgroups compared to women without IDD. (Available free of cost) 

Healthcare   

Good Healthcare for Life? The Case of Down Syndrome 

An article published in the June 2023 Issue of the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities by authors affiliated with Tilburg University, Radboud University and Erasmus University provides insight into the way people with Down syndrome live their lives, how health care may fit in, and how this may impact the development of quality indicators. (Available free of cost)

Family Carer and Professional Perceptions of the Potential Use of Telehealth for Behavioural Support

An article published in the June 2023 Issue of the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research by authors affiliated with the University of Kent describes a study used to determine what factors would influence participants' use of telehealth for behavioural support.(Available free of cost) 

Maternal Healthcare for Women With Physical Disabilities in Northern Vietnam: Perspectives of Healthcare Providers

An article published in Volume 16, Issue 2 of the Disability and Health Journal by authors affiliated with Queensland University and the University of Southern Queensland explores perspectives and experiences of maternal healthcare providers in the delivery of services to women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam. (Available free of cost) 

Mental Health 

Integrated Mental Health Treatment Guidelines for Prescribers in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

An article published in the June 2023 issue of the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities by authors affiliated with the University of New Hampshire and the University of North Carolina describes a five-step guideline for providers to use to address the complex needs of patients with IDD and mental healthcare needs. (Abstract free of cost, full text available with a fee) 

A Therapeutic Welcome: Mental Health within the Reality Ministries Disability Community

An article published in Volume 27, 2023 - Issue 2 of the Journal of Disability and Religion by authors affiliated with Duke University examines the impact of Reality Ministries, a Christian community center open to all abilities and faiths, on participants’ views toward disability and mental health. (Available free of cost) 

Angelman Syndrome

Exploring Communication Ability in Individuals With Angelman Syndrome: Findings From Qualitative Interviews With Caregivers

An article published in the May 2023 issue of the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by authors affiliated with Duke University and The Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapceutis describes how conducting individual qualitative interviews with caregivers and clinicians can elicit meaningful aspects of communication for individuals with AS. (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee)  

Validation of the Observer-Reported Communication Ability (ORCA) Measure for Individuals With Angelman Syndrome

An article published in the May 2023 issue of the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by authors affiliated with Duke University and The Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics describes the critical need for high-quality clinical outcome assessments to capture the important aspects of communication ability of individuals with AS. (Free for AAIDD members. For non-members, the abstract is free of cost, full text access available with a fee)

Free Training on Household Management!

 

Register for this free training!

Build habits to get ahead and organize your home. 

Online: 

July 17 from 3 pm to 4 pm

In Person at Columbia and Greenville Offices: 

July 18  from 3 pm to 4:30 pm

Registration will close the day before the training.

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

Register Here!

Able South Carolina

720 Gracern Road Suite 106

Columbia, South Carolina 29210

803.779.5121

advocacy@able-sc.org

Updates from Family Connection!

Summer is Here!

Visit our Summer Camp Resource Page

to find virtual and in-person camp activities for children!

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Training Opportunities! 

Getting Ready for the Start of the School Year for Elementary Students

• Monday, June 26th  7:00 - 8:00 pm 

A session on strategies for families to prepare for the start of the school year for preschool and elementary students. 

Learn helpful hints for preparing your child for the school year, strategies for building positive relationships with school staff, and take away resources to assist in the transition to a new school year. Register here! 

How To Tuesday: All About TEFRA

• Tuesday, July 11th  12:00 - 12:45 pm 

TEFRA is a form of Medicaid. Learn about eligibility requirements, where and how to apply, and get answers to frequently asked questions! Learn more and register here! 

Triple P: Positive Parenting for Children with a Disability 

• Tuesday, July 13th  11:30 am - 1:00 pm 

An introduction to Triple P and the seven key principles behind this approach to being a parent of a child with a disability. This is session one of three-part series but each session is a stand alone. Learn more and register here! 

Family Connection: South Carolina’s Parent Training and Information Center

• Tuesday, July 18th  12:00-12:30 pm 

Join us to learn about SC's Parent Training Information Center! This session will spotlight Family Connection's Education Partner Program including how to understand your child's IEP or 504 plan. Learn more and register here! 

Getting Ready for the Start of School for Middle & High School Students 

• Tuesday, July 18th  7:00 - 8:00 pm 

Wondering how to make "Back To School" a positive thing for your middle/ high school child? Join us for strategies to lessen the stress! Learn more and register here! 

Triple P: Helping Your Child Reach Their Potential

• Thursday, July 20th  11:30 am -1:00 pm 

This second session in the Triple P series will cover six steps to being an effective teacher at home and promoting important life skills to your children. Each session is a stand alone. Learn more and register here! 

Tips and Tricks for Positive Communication with Your Child’s School 

• Tuesday, July 25th 12:00 - 12:45 pm 

Everyone wins-especially the child-when parents, caregivers, teachers, and schools have positive, effective communication. Learn more and register here!

Triple P: Changing Problem Behavior Into Positive Behavior

• Thursday, July 27th  11:30 am - 1:00 pm 

This third in a series of Triple P trainings will discuss each of the six important steps to change or manage problem behavior. Each session is a stand-alone. Learn more and register here! 

You Asked, Parents Answered! Positive Communication Between Home and School

• July 31st  7:00 - 8:00 pm

Join us as we talk with parents sharing their tips on how to have effective, positive communication with schools and their child's teacher. Learn more and register here!

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We can't wait for the opening reception 

of LOOK! 2023 on July 30th. 

This is the night when we present our exhibit to the participating  families, photographers, and sponsors! The exhibit will open to the public on July 31st at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center!  LOOK! then travels to the Lexington County Library--located at 5440 Augusta Road--for the month of September. Future locations to be announced! 

Meanwhile, you can visit the corridor next to the food court at Columbiana Centre now to view many of the photos from the 2022 exhibit! 

The complete LOOK! 2022 collection can be viewed on our virtual gallery! 

LOOK! 2023 is presented by Groucho's Deli--additional sponsorship opportunities and ad space in the 2023 LOOK! Book  are still available--contact Jacki Garbinsky at 803-995-1413 or send an email! Make a gift of any size to help support LOOK! and the mission of Family Connection--just click the button to get started! 

Make a Gift to Support LOOK!

Life with BI Conference: Early Registration Ends Soon!

 

Friday, July 28, 2023

Cooperative Conference Center, Columbia, SC

Click Here to Register

The Life with Brain Injury (LWBI) Conference is an annual statewide conference hosted by the Brain Injury Association of SC (BIASC) and the South Carolina Brain Injury Leadership Council (SCBILC).

This conference is for:

• individuals with brain injury
• family members of brain injury survivors
• caregivers of brain injury survivors
• professionals working in the field of brain injury.

Early registration will run until June 26, after which the registration cost will increase by $10. Standard registration will run from June 27 to July 19 at 5:00 p.m. On-site registration is not available.

Learn more about the 2023 LWBI Conference 

Sessions will include:

• Keynote Speaker: Kelly Lang (Author, Advocate, Caregiver, Survivor)

     "Let’s Talk About It: The Importance of Communication and Advocacy in Brain Injury Recovery"

• Brain Injury 101
• Brain Injury Prevention and Safe Kids South Carolina
• Building a Yoga Practice with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Mind
• Driving after Brain Injury
• Encounters with the Criminal Justice System
• QTACT: How All Adults in a Young Person’s Safety Net Can Support Them with Return to Learn
• Improve Your Mental Health by Understanding and Mitigating Stress
• Intersectionality and Brain Injury: A Panel Discussion
• Listening Session
• Speech-Language Pathology and Quality of Life
• Saving for the Future with the Palmetto ABLE Savings Program
• Surviving and Thriving: Support and Resources for Navigating Life after Brain Injury

Register Now!

June 2023 Leadership in IDD

Perspectives 

Commentary from the Field

 Art Dykstra, FAAIDD 

Cherry Hill Consulting Group

Why Don’t People With ID Use “To-Do” Lists?

If you are reading this, you probably began your day putting together a to-do list. To-do lists help us feel organized and map out our priorities. They help us remember what we need or want to do. Not having a to-do list sets us up to be at the mercy of other people’s lists. To-do lists make sense.

Let me ask a question of readers who work with people who have intellectual disability or are stakeholders in the IDD system of supports. How many people with intellectual disability that you support, work with, or are your friends use to-do lists or other organizers?  I have asked that question to a significantly large number of people working in IDD systems and the most frequent answer, by far, is “none.” 

No doubt there are other opinions on this; however, I suggest we consider the underlying personhood of having activities to organize and the agency of mapping out what needs to be done.  Perhaps simply engaging the people we support on their “to do” lists is a practical, focused, and relevant person-centered effort that can also increase our own insights into the things that are most important to them.

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Notables 

Recent awards, accolades, appointments, and other honors

Kelly Friedlander 

Named One of the 40 Under 40 Professionals in the Triangle Area 

by Triangle Business Journal

This annual recognition honors outstanding professionals under the age of 40 for their significant contributions to their organizations and to the community. 

Congratulations to All our Awardees and Fellows Who Were Recognized at AAIDD's Annual Conference!

• Alice Bacherini
• Barbara Kleist
• Carly B. Gilson
• Caroline Coffield
• James Lemanowicz
• Joanna Pierson
• Kim Fisher
• Katherine E. McDonald
• Rose A. Sevcik
• Diane Morin 
• Steven M. Eidelman
• Mian Wang, Lieke van Heumen, Guðný Stefánsdóttir, Karyn Harvey, Marty Ford
• Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies,89(3)
• The Arc of Frederick County
• Elizabeth Perkins

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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.

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.

Not yet a member? Join AAIDD online!

Accessible Cooking Webinar!

Join us for a free webinar 

on June 29, 2023 at 10am!

Title: Accessible Cooking

Participants must register to receive the webinar link. 

Register Here!

Target Audience: Individuals with disabilities, family members, service providers and anyone who wants to learn about accessible tools to assist with cooking. Learn about tools and strategies to make cooking more accessible for all ages. This online seminar will discuss resources to help with planning meals and accessible cooking tools to help with participating in mealtime cooking. 

Participants will learn: 

• various interactive tools and strategies to make cooking more accessible for all ages
• online resources, apps, and other tools available for cooking to help with planning meals, following step by step tasks
• how to use tactile and visual symbols for cooking

Speakers: 

• Rachell Johnson, MCD., CCC-SLP, ATP SCATP Program Manager
• Alli Upchurch, SCATP Program Coordinator

Employer Summit 2023

Announcing 2023 Employer Summit: 

Advancing Access & Equity Conference on disability inclusion in the workforce featuring Dominion Energy SC president as keynote

Able South Carolina and Hire Me SC are thrilled to announce the 8th annual Employer Summit, scheduled during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, on Wednesday, October 18, from 10 am to 3 pm. Registrants can attend in person at the Philips Market Center in West Columbia, or online through the event’s virtual platform. The event is brought in part by Dominion Energy. 

The Employer Summit is a one-day conference for business managers, executives, and HR professionals ready to hire and retain a workforce inclusive of people with disabilities. The Employer Summit will show businesses how including individuals with disabilities will strengthen their workforce. The 2023 theme, Advancing Access & Equity, will showcase supportive, inclusive policies and practices that benefit employees and employers alike. 

This year’s event boasts Keller Kissam, President of Dominion Energy South Carolina, as the keynote speaker. Kissam oversees Dominion Energy’s regulated utility in South Carolina, serving about 1.1 million electric and gas customer accounts. 

“One in three South Carolinians have a disability; however, 70% of people with disabilities are unemployed. This is a workforce employers can’t afford to miss out on. To this end, we want any business to have the opportunity to join us, whether that’s in-person or virtual. We hope that our virtual option will allow employers from across the Southeast and nation to attend."

• Sandy Jordan, Vice President and Chief Community Integration Program Officer, Able South Carolina 

What to expect at the in-person event: 

• The same sessions, speakers, and content as the online event 
• Spending 10 AM - 3:00 PM at the Phillips Market Center in West Columbia, SC 
• Catered lunch with food trucks to choose from 
• In-person networking 
• Service providers at information booths 

What to expect at the online event: 

• The same sessions, speakers, and content as the in-person event, recorded live and streamed through Zoom  
• Spending 10 AM - 3:00 PM on Zoom on your computer, with breaks 
• Interaction/networking with online participants through the Zoom chat functions 
• Online resources 

Register for the Employer Summit

Registration Fee: $95

Discounts for businesses that register 5 or more!

Contact hiremesc@able-sc.org for details. 

SHRM and HRCI credits pending. 

Interested in sponsoring or being a vendor 

at the Employer Summit?

Visit our website learn more about our sponsorship opportunities. 

Hire Me SC

720 Gracern Road Suite 106

Columbia, South Carolina 29210

803.779.5121 | hiremesc@able-sc.org 

An Airline Seat Prototype for Wheelchair Users

June 15, 2023

AIR TRAVEL

Airline Seat Prototype Could Change Travel for Wheelchair Users

A new airline seat prototype offers hope that wheelchair users could eventually remain in their own chairs during flight. The seat, which transforms from a regular seat into a space that secures a power wheelchair, was unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo on June 6. Watch a video of a power wheelchair user testing it out, and hear how air travel accessibility advocates are reacting to the news.  

PRODUCTS

Uro Concepts Underwear Offers Easy, Discreet Leg Bag Management

A new line of underwear aims to make managing and concealing a urinary leg bag a little easier. The Uro Urinary Suspensory System by Uro Concepts Inc. is for people looking for an alternative to straps for securing a leg bag. This unisex undergarment has pockets on both legs that securely hold a leg bag without causing strap-related pressure points, and outlets at the bottom of the legs to access the drain valve. 

PHOTO SUBMISSION

Show Off Your Disability-Inspired Tattoos

Share your best photos of your disability-inspired and -themed tattoos for a chance to have your story and ink featured in an upcoming issue of New Mobility. Email tsherer@unitedspinal.org or post your photo on Instagram using #NMTattoo, telling us the story behind your body art and what it means to you in 75 words or less. Only well-lit, high-resolution photos will be considered. 

Click here to read more of this issue!

21st NADD State of Ohio MI/ID Conference – Hotel Reservation Deadline Approaching

Join us July 10-11 in Dublin, OH

Book Your Lodging by June 16!

The 21st NADD State of Ohio MI/ID Conference will be held July 10 & 11, 2023 at the Columbus Marriott Northwest in Dublin, Ohio. Attendee registration is open for this year's conference!

Lodging – Deadline Approaching!

Hotel Reservation Cutoff: June 16

Marriott Columbus Northwest 

5605 Blazer Pkwy 

Dublin, Ohio 43017

Discounted group rates are available to NADD Ohio participants from $118 (USD) per night. This rate will be available until the cut-off date of June 16, 2023 or until the block is full, whichever occurs first. Book your room now and save!

Click here to reserve your room online.

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Registration is Open!

Attendee registration is open! Full conference and one day registration options are available, with discounted rates for members, students, and more. Click here to view the registration brochure for a list of all registration options as well as pricing, a preliminary conference agenda, and continuing education information.

Register Now!

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Continuing Education

Continuing education credits will be available at this year's conference! Participants eligible for CE Certificates must sign-in, complete required program attendance (100%), and complete and return a program evaluation form. CE certificates will be handed out at the end of each program day.

For detailed information on continuing education offerings, please view the updated registration brochure.

Visit the Website

K12 Accessibility Bootcamp

SC K12 Accessibility Bootcamp

Type:  In-Person Training

Date:  July 18-19, 2023

Time:   8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location:  SCETV, 1041 George Rogers Blvd, Columbia SC 29201

Cost:         FREE! (Registration is required.)

REGISTER HERE!

The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education is hosting a free training for all school district educators and staff. The training is free but participants must register to attend.

About the Program

The South Carolina K12 Accessibility Boot Camp is a free two-day event with the goal of connecting educators and district staff with professionals who will share best practices and accessibility and inclusive learning environments. 

The mission of the South Carolina K12 Accessibility Boot Camp is to provide accessibility and inclusivity training that empowers participants to create quality accessible and inclusive learning environments and remove barriers for all.

Participants will:

• understand the importance of accessible educational materials
• be able to create and implement accessible educational materials in the learning environment
• remove access to learning barriers for all learners

Lunch will be provided.

CEU Information: The SC Department of Education will provide eligible participants one renewal credit per one hour session.

Accommodations: If you need an additional accommodation to participate, please contact us at least one week prior to the webinar via e-mail (janet.lambert@uscmed.sc.edu) or by phone at 803-935-5263.

For more information please call 803-935-5263.