Seats are going quickly!

 

2023 Employer Summit: 

Advancing Access & Equity

Register Now! 

Brought to you in part by Dominion Energy 

Wednesday, October 18, 10 am - 3 pm

In Person: Phillips Market Center, West Columbia, SC, 

or join the conference online from anywhere as a virtual attendee!

In just one month, join fellow employers seeking to "Advance Equity and Access," for people with disabilities at the 8th annual Employer Summit.

 

The summit, scheduled during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, is brought to you in part by Dominion Energy. Learn from keynote speaker, Keller Kissam, President of Dominion Energy South Carolina. Kissam oversees Dominion Energy’s regulated utility in South Carolina, serving about 1.1 million electric and gas customer accounts. 

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 2023 theme, Advancing Access & Equity, will showcase supportive, inclusive policies and practices that benefit employees and employers alike. 

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 being a vendor at the Employer Summit? Limited space is available for non-profits and service providers wanting to connect with employers, so reserve your vendor table today! Vendors must attend in person. Please email us at hiremesc@able-sc.org if you are interested and click the button below to download the vendor registration form.  

Register as a Vendor

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“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 

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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 

2023 Employer Summit Sponsors:

Join us for Empower Hour!

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 

October 19

November 16

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. 

Join Buddy Walk 2023!

Buddy Walk Season is Here!

We are excited to open the Buddy Walk 2023 campaign.  Create a page to honor your Buddy, or to show your support of our Buddy Walk families!

Visit our Buddy Walk Page now and follow the instructions to get your team page started! The process is a little different this year so if you would like us to help you get set up, we are offering registration sessions this Tuesday and Thursday! Click the link below to schedule your time!

Sign up for Buddy Walk Registration Assistance!

• If you need to schedule a different time, please email Jacki Garbinsky at jgarbinsky@familyconnectionsc.org.
• Each week will send you updates about the big day, and offer you motivation, tips  and prizes to help you raise funds for your team. 
• Then, on October 29th, Family Connection will host a fall festival celebration for our families, sponsors, donors, and friends!

Columbia Buddy Walk 2023

Sunday, October 29th

Saluda Shoals Athletic Fields

6071 St. Andrews Road

We look forward to sharing a wonderful 

Buddy Walk season with you!

Get Started!

October Trainings from Family Connection

October Training Opportunities!

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Understanding Your Child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP)

October 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Understanding your child’s IEP can seem like a challenge-but it doesn’t have to be! Learn what it is, it’s importance, and how to prepare. 

Register here!

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Family Connection Program Spotlight: Healthcare Connection

October 4 from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m.

Join us to learn about FCSC’s NICU Navigator, Project Breathe Easy (Asthma), Medicaid Information programs and more! 

Learn more and register!

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Triple P: Positive Parenting for Children with a Disability

October 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This workshop is Seminar 1 of the series. We will introduce positive parenting and the seven key principles or ideas behind this approach to being a parent of a child with a disability. 

Learn more and register!

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Triple P: Helping Your Child Reach Their Potential

October 12  from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Seminar 2 of the series covers the importance of getting children off to the right start and how parents can lay the foundations for success at school and beyond. Also, six steps to being an effective teacher at home and promoting important life skills for children. 

Learn more and register!

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Triple P: Changing Problem Behavior Into Positive Behavior

October 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

During Seminar 3 of the series, we will talk about problem behavior in children: the kinds of behaviors you may face, why it is important to address them, and six important steps to change or manage these  behaviors. 

Learn more and register!

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HOW TO Tuesday: Preparing for an IEP Meeting

October 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Want to learn how to better participate in and prepare for your child’s IEP meeting? Join the conversation for practical, helpful hints. 

Learn more and register!

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FAMILY CONNECTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA INC

1800 St Julian Place Suite 104

Columbia, SC 29204

Affordable, Adaptive Jeans

September 20, 2023

PRODUCTS

JCPenney Has Affordable, Adaptive Jeans

Yes, the retailer you remember from your mid-’90s trips to the mall is still around and is ahead of the curve when it comes to adaptive fashion. JCPenney offers a wide selection of adaptive clothes on its website, and its recently released adaptive jeans for men and women feature hook-and-loop fasteners, adjustable waistbands and pull-on loops. Both are currently available for the affordable price of $23.99 a pair with the code HOMEDEAL. 

NEWS

Neilsen Foundation Announces Latest Wheelchair Users to Win $1 Million

On Sept. 19, the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation revealed the winners of its annual Visionary Prize, given to individuals who are working to make the world a better place for people living with spinal cord injuries. This year's winner's include one of NM's 2021 People of the Year, Vincent Pierce, a gun violence survivor who helps run a nonprofit dedicated to empowering disabled nursing home residents; Carmen Daniels Jones, a disability marketing strategist; and Victor Calise, who spent decades working to make New York City more accessible. Each will receive the unrestricted $1 million prize. 

PRO TIPS

Air Travel Tips for Wheelchair Users

This month’s New Mobility cover story took you inside the fight for more accessible air travel, but wheelchair users still need to fly while we wait for much-needed reforms. To help make your trips go as smoothly as possible, here are tips from United Spinal Association’s new Navigating the Skies guide, including recommendations for booking, requesting accommodations, getting through security, boarding your flight and protecting your equipment. 

Click here to read more of this issue!

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New Mobility is the member publication of United Spinal Association, whose mission is to improve quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. It's free to join United Spinal, and members may receive New Mobility magazine for free for one year. Join here.

AUCD Weekly - September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

Announcements

AUCD 2023: You're Invited to the Awards Ceremony

Join us on the evening of Tuesday, November 7 as we come together to celebrate this year’s AUCD Award Recipients. At the annual Awards Ceremony, we recognize people, programs, and organizations for their leadership and contributions. AUCD awardees offer an outstanding example in leadership, advocacy, research, policy, and practice. Their work creates more diverse and inclusive communities for people with disabilities and their families. Awards are given in 10 categories and honor individuals in the AUCD Network, and local, state, and federal partners. Please RSVP when registering for the Conference to save your seat.

Applied Positive Psychology Virtual Course Begins October 4 Program

Register now for Applied Positive Psychology: Learning to Help People with IDD-MH Through Theory, Practice, & Technique with Dan Tomasulo, PhD, TEP, MFA, MAPP hosted by the National Center for START Services at the University of New Hampshire. This 6-week live, virtual course (October 4 to November 8 on Wednesdays 3:00-4:45 ET) will provide attendees with the skills and tools needed to implement foundational positive psychology approaches within their respective practice settings. This course is open to masters-level professionals (or those with 3+ years of experience) who work within developmental and/or mental health settings.

View the full list of Announcements.

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Funding

NCBDDD and ASPHN - WIC Developmental Monitoring Project

Deadline: October 2, 2023

Award Ceiling: TBD

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits proposals for research projects that will apply computational approaches to develop parametrically detailed behavioral assays across mental-health relevant domains of function. These projects should focus on behavior in humans and test computational models in healthy subjects. For future applications, NIMH is particularly interested in behavioral measures, models, and parameters that have the potential for back-translation from humans to animals, especially for pre-clinical therapeutics development. NIMH is also interested in models that can be extended to clinical populations in the future.

View More Funding Information

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Resources

Researchers to Identify Key Brain and Behavioral Changes in Aging Women with Premtuations of the Fragile X Gene, FMR1

First documented two decades ago among a small group of men who had grandchildren with Fragile X Syndrome, Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) has more recently been identified in women. Researchers at the University of Kansas Life Span Institute, Kansas IDDRC, and colleagues now are working to learn more about its effects in women. 

HHS Takes the Most Significant Action in a Decade to Make Care for Older Adults & People with Disabilities More Affordable and Accessible

In their continued efforts to improve access to health care and lower costs for millions of Americans, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), today finalized a rule to streamline enrollment in the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), making coverage more affordable for an estimated 860,000 people.  CMS estimates today’s improvements will save older adults and people with disabilities nearly 19 million hours in paperwork each year and reduce state administrative burden by over 2 million hours annually. All told, this action, together with the historic progress made under the President’s prescription drug law will help an estimated 1.2 million older adults and people with disabilities with limited income afford their Medicare coverage and health care costs. 

View More Resources

Brain Injury Fundamentals Class: Registration is Open!

Training Opportunity: 

Brain Injury Fundamentals

Are you a caregiver of a person with a brain injury, direct support professional, or other professional and interested in receiving a Brain Injury Fundamentals Certificate? 

Then this is the class for you!

Brain Injury Fundamentals is an essential training and certificate program designed for direct care staff, family members, and individual caregivers. Over four class sessions, this training course covers essential topics such as cognition, medical complications, and medication safety and management.

Instructors:

• Michelle Moore, MSP, CCC-SLP, CBIS, Brain Injury Program Coordinator, Roper Rehabilitation Hospital

• Teresa Satterfield, M.A, LPC-A, CBIST, CMHC, CMPT, CSLC, ChT, CCTP, CCAP, CNLP, CCMHC, Counselor, Protea Counseling

Deadline to register is October 6, 2023.

*Class is limited to 25 participants.

Click Here to Register 

If you have any questions, 

please contact Kristi Hartwell at 803-731-9823 

or coordinator@biaofsc.com. 

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What? 

Brain Injury Fundamentals Class

When?

• Wednesday, October 25: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, November 1: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, November 8: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, November 15: 9:00AM - 12:00 PM

Where? 

Online via Zoom Platform

Fees? 

Includes a workbook, training, and exam 

• $25 for Unpaid Caregivers
• $50 for Professionals
• $85 for Non-SC Residents (Professionals and Caregivers)

Latest Advances in AT Webinar

Please join us for 

An Overview of the Latest Advances 

within the Assistive Technology Field

Type: Live Webinar

Date: September 28, 2023

Time: 10 - 11 a.m.

Location: Webinar

Cost: Free

REGISTER NOW!

Participants must register to receive the webinar link. 

About the Program: 

With the rate of change and new developments within our industry it can seem like a daunting challenge to keep abreast of everything that is happening. In this session we will investigate some of the new technologies that provide excellent opportunities for student development, both cognitively and physically, without overloading the learning curve for all the professionals that support their learning.

Target Audience: 

Professionals and parents who want to increase their understanding of available solutions.

Participants will Learn:

• EyeGaze solutions for iPad.
• Innovative switch system for both access and group therapy solutions.
• Simple ways to introduce environmental control.

Speaker: Nigel Wallace

Nigel Wallace is the owner of Inclusive TLC based in North Carolina USA. Nigel moved to the US to set up Inclusive TLC from the UK in 2004. Prior to the move Nigel was the Information manager for Inclusive Technology based in Manchester England. With over 30 years experience within the field of Assistive Technology both in the UK and USA Nigel has amassed a great deal of knowledge with a particular emphasis on solutions for students with severe and complex needs.

https://sc.edu/medicine/scatp

Phone: 803-935-5301 

Fax: 803-935-5342 

Toll Free: 800-915-4522

Take our Neurodiversity in Gaming Survey Today!

 

Take our Neurodiversity 

in Gaming Survey

The Autism Society of America is thrilled to work with Internet Matters on their Neurodiversity in Gaming project in partnership with Roblox, Autism Alliance, Autistica, and Ambitious about Autism. Internet Matters highlights that the digital world has a varying impact on the well-being of youth. Children and teens who receive special education services and supports often report positive benefits from online activities, however, there are also safety concerns. Research has concluded that Autistic youth, in particular, have an increased risk of certain online harms. Learn more about this survey.

To better understand these experiences, we're asking Autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families aged 11-17 interested in online video games to complete this survey. The deadline to take this survey is on Monday, September 25th.

Take Survey

Visit Website

Get Support

SCATP Webinar on Tuesday!

Please join us on Tuesday 09-19-23 

for a webinar:

Empowering Learners with Varying Complexities: 

How ALL Students Can Develop Literacy Skills

Type: Live Webinar

Date: September 19, 2023

Time: 10 - 11 a.m.

Location: Webinar

Cost: Free. (Registration is required.)

Registration: 

Participants must register to receive the webinar link. 

REGISTER NOW!

About the Program

In this presentation, Cindy Brooks will discuss the latest research that looks into ensuring students with complex needs receive the proper kind of instruction that allows them to grow as readers and writers. We will dive into the key instructional components of Readtopia and ReadtopiaGO and explain how the curriculum accomplishes just that.

Target Audience: Special Education Directors, Teachers, SLPs, ATs, OTs, Para’s

Participants Will Learn:

• The latest research in helping students with complex needs learn to read and write.
• The instructional strategies and components with a comprehensive reading and writing curriculum.
• How to use cumulative, formative, and progress monitoring assessments to track and show student growth.

Speaker: Cindy Brooks

Cindy Brooks is a Curriculum Solutions specialist at Building Wings and has been working with Special Education Administrators and Special Education Teachers across the country for the last five years. She is passionate about providing materials as part of a comprehensive curriculum that teaches literacy to students with diverse abilities.

National Concussion Awareness Day 2023 is Tomorrow!

 National Concussion Awareness Day

Friday, September 15, 2023

What is National Concussion Awareness Day?

According to the CDC, concussions are the most commonly diagnosed type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Half of people who suspect they have a concussion never get it checked, which can lead to ongoing health challenges. National Concussion Awareness Day (NCAD) is an opportunity raise awareness and to support individuals living with the effects of a mild TBI. 

NCAD occurs annually on the third Friday of each September and is recognized federally by a congressional resolution. 

NCAD was founded in 2016 by Brooke Mills, who sustained a concussion as a freshman in high school and has been an impassioned advocate ever since. Brooke has spent much of the past year raising awareness of mild TBI as the current Miss New Hampshire. She hopes to one day open a private practice in Fort Mill, SC. You can read more about Brooke on our website.

Brooke has frequently partnered with us, as well as the Brain Injury Association of America. We're thrilled to announce that she will join us again this year to host a social media takeover for BIASC!

Social Media Takeover by Brooke Mills for National Concussion Awareness Day 2023

Join us with Brooke all day this Friday, September 15, to hear about her story, why she founded NCAD, and her tips as a concussion survivor!

Follow our social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram to see Brooke's posts throughout the day. For more from Brooke, you can find her @brookeamills. 

3 Ways to Get Involved on NCAD:

1. You are not alone! Share your experience and story on social media with the hashtag #NationalConcussionAwarenessDay to raise awareness. 

2. Become an advocate! Educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of concussions. We've included a list of free resources below to get you started!

3. Invest in the brain injury community! When you donate to BIASC, you're helping us provide support groups, legislative advocacy, education and information to those who have experienced brain injury, their families and support systems. You can also support us by becoming a member.

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Concussion Resources

BIASC has the following resources to educate the public and support individuals with a concussion: 

• SC Brain Injury Safety Net
• Webinar Recordings
• South Carolina REAP Manual (available in English and Spanish)
• Get Schooled on Concussions (GSOC) Portal
• Teacher Acute Concussion Tool (TACT)
• Concussions: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Fact Sheet)
• Concussions Symptom Checklist for Parents and Kids

Last Chance to Register! Trauma-Informed Suicide Prevention Training

Today is the last day to register for this free training!

SC Communities of Care

Trauma-Informed 

Suicide Prevention Training

Click Here to Register! 

SC Communities of Care is a program through SC Department of Mental Health and the Education Development Center that provides trauma informed suicide prevention training for community members who are the initial point of contact when an adult, friend, family member, etc. in their community is experiencing a mental health crisis.

This free training will be held in-person on Monday, September 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Richland Library Main.

Lunch and a light breakfast will be provided.

Today is the LAST DAY to register. Space is limited to 20 participants. 

In this training you will receive information on what it means to be trauma informed, identify the difference between suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and feeling suicidal, and how to ensure you are taking care of yourself as a trusted adult in your community! We will also talk about the prevalence of suicide among individuals with brain injuries.

This training is for caregivers and professionals who work with brain injury survivors. This is an opportunity to gain more knowledge and confidence in identifying some early warning signs of suicide and feel more equipped to be a part of someone’s support system.

If you have any questions or accommodation requests please contact Rachel Kaplan at safetynetcoordinator@biaofsc.com. 

Click Here to Register 

What?

Communities of Care Trauma-Informed 

Suicide Prevention Training

When?

Monday, September 18

9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Where?

Richland Library Main, Meeting Room M

1431 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29201 

Barrier Free Vaccine Clinic Scheduled For You!

Barrier Free Vaccine Clinic 

Scheduled For You!

People with disabilities, their families, and direct service providers need access to vaccination! Join the 29203 community, family, and friends for a fun-filled day of health-themed activities at the Healthy Laughter Community Event, where we will be holding a barrier free vaccine clinic.

• Accommodations will be provided for people with disabilities.
• The clinic will provide Moderna COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to all ages.
• Spanish and ASL Interpretation will be available.
• Vaccine cards are not required because our staff can look up previous doses and make new cards.

Gift cards will be available while supplies last for individuals with disabilities who receive a COVID-19 vaccination.  

Learn more about vaccination at able-sc.org/bipocvax or call us at 1-800-787-6046.

The Healthy Laughter Community Event is a fun and energizing community day to promote health and wellness with laughter and music featuring DJ Geechee Boy with old-school hip hop and R&B. Enjoy FREE tickets to a hilarious comedy showcase on Saturday, September 16th at 6 PM. 

Saturday, September 16, 1pm-5pm

5124 Fairfield Road

Columbia, SC 29203

Empower Hour!

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 atinfo@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 and Greenville Offices

September 21

October 19

November 16

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.

720 Gracern Road Suite 106

Columbia, South Carolina 29210

803.779.5121 / advocacy@able-sc.org