Friday, January 24, 2025

ABLE SC, Kickin' It with Kimberly

 Able South Carolina

Reads, 'Disability Perspective' with Able SC logo over a blurred background with Able SC light blue, green, and yellow. Includes cut out images of disabled people: A Black man in a wheelchair, a man with down syndrome using a tablet, a woman with light skin in a wheelchair reading a book, a white quadriplegic man with glasses using a laptop with sip and puff assistive technology.
Kimberly is a white woman with shoulder length blonde hair with bangs. She is wearing brown rounded rim glasses, gold teardrop earrings, and gold necklace with a red shirt, black blazer, black pants, and gray ballet flat. She has one leg and uses crutches to assist her as she stands on a sidewalk in front of greenery, smiling for the camera.
 

Introducing messages from our CEO:
Kickin' It with Kimberly

It’s important to us that we keep you well informed of current issues and barriers impacting people with disabilities. Our CEO, Kimberly Tissot, knows that you are central to our efforts to promote disability rights, justice, and freedoms. Letters will be written to you, your key supporters, about the injustices we find and the keys to the solutions we can offer as a disability-led organization. 

 

Fire and Rain: How Emergency Response Must Include Disability-Led Perspectives that Save Lives 

Friend,

It’s not uncommon to turn on the news and catch a glimpse of a natural disaster unfolding somewhere in the United States. Last year we saw the the 2nd highest number of “billion-dollar” weather ever, including Hurricane Helene. Storms, droughts, floods, and fires impact everyone, but they hit people with disabilities the hardest.

After noticing more coverage in 2025, I feel compelled to share; write with profound frustration and sorrow to confront an issue that’s been brushed aside for way too long: the systemic exclusion of people with disabilities from critical services, such as emergency planning and evacuations. This oversight has had devastating consequences that continue even during today’s disasters. 

South Carolina has not been immune to these failures. The loss of disabled lives during crises like Hurricane Helene stands as a painful testament to the neglect that continues to endanger our community. These losses are not abstract numbers—they represent cherished family members, neighbors, and essential contributors to society.

In South Carolina, Able SC has taken the lead in addressing these gaps through the Disability Partners in Disaster Planning Coalition. By uniting advocates, community leaders, and organizations, this coalition brings forth life-saving recommendations to influence policies, communication strategies, and emergency procedures. The coalition’s mission is to dismantle the systemic barriers that have historically left disabled individuals behind during disasters. We have a lot of work to do to complete our mission.

However, South Carolina still lags far behind other states, such as those who have invested in disability-inclusive emergency planning and contracted with disability organizations to embed their expertise into protocols. By contrast, South Carolina lacks similar programs and funding, leading to a troubling lack of accountability and systemic exclusion. During Hurricane Helene, there were no protocols to meet the needs of disabled individuals, forcing Able SC to act as a watchdog, identifying flaws and holding state officials accountable. We do not want to be a watchdog. We need to be heard.

While the fires in California are devastating for everyone, the majority of the deaths have been senior citizens and people with disabilities. I can't stop thinking about the disabled father who had to stay behind to die with his disabled son because they couldn’t evacuate. What would South Carolina do in a similar event? I can tell you there is no coordinated plan.  

While there has been some progress, it is insufficient. State officials must recognize that disability-led organizations like Able SC are the true experts and can help to create solutions. With lived experiences and a deep understanding of the barriers faced by disabled individuals, these organizations offer the knowledge necessary to implement effective and inclusive disaster responses. The expertise among the disability community must be prioritized—not sidelined. We just need state officials to partner with us. 

We cannot afford to perpetuate a status quo that costs lives. It is our moral and collective responsibility to ensure no one is left behind in times of crisis. The next time I turn on the news, I hope to hear about meaningful efforts to ensure our disabled population is included and protected. Addressing our needs in emergency planning and disaster response is a matter of justice. By prioritizing inclusivity and taking actionable steps to dismantle systemic neglect, we can create a future where everyone has the resources and support, they need to weather the storm.

To the disability community in California, we send love, strength, and unwavering solidarity. 

We need to collaborate to make change. Lives depend on it.

- Kimberly Tissot, President and CEO, Able South Carolina

Support Able SC:

You make our work possible. Consider making a donation today.

Donate by mail:

Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Rd. Suite 106

Columbia, SC 29210

Speak with someone: Contact Kim Ward, Director of Development, 803-779-5121 ext. 159

Donate

Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road Suite 106 | Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org

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