|  | Able SC January 2025 News Last fall we ended our year with opportunities speaking on panels, educating communities, and engaging with people with disabilities of all ages. We were able to assess arts spaces, engage with local youth, and so much more. We can't pack it all in one note, but here's a few of the highlights. Our very own Director of Transition Programs, Troy Hall won the 2024 Volunteer of the Year award for the Upstate LGBT+ Chamber. The Chamber board, staff, and members unanimously selected Troy for this honor for his outstanding contributions to the Upstate LGBT+ business community. Troy was honored at the 3rd annual award event on October 17. Pictured is Troy and Sandy posing by his award. Holden Roberts, our Youth Independent Living Specialist, Holden Roberts, was a speaker for the Greenville CAN Talks! He gave an incredible speech on being aware and protecting yourself from scams. This annual event is an initiative of the Barbara Stone Foundation. Local individuals with disabilities, share their stories and perspectives to challenge the status quo. Our president and CEO, Kimberly Tissot, was awarded the first-ever Judy Heumann Advocacy Award from the American Public Health Association. What an honor and a privilege to not only receive such an award named after such an extraordinary disabled leader but also to have the opportunity to serve our disabled community by advocating for our rights in the public health sphere. We'll end a quick recap of these special moments, focusing on generosity. We were blown away at the generosity of a local teen, Brooklynn Bush. She set up a donation drive for Able SC recently and gifted us with many much-needed donations of hygiene supplies for our consumers. Thanks again, Brooklynn, for reaching out and choosing to support people with disabilities in SC! |
|  |
|
| | | | Support Able SC: Grateful Brew Trivia Night! Grateful Brew in Greenville, SC is benefitting Able SC at their monthly trivia night: 20% of drink sales will be donated to Able SC on Feb. 12
For those participating in the trivia- there will be four rounds of trivia each lasting about half an hour. The second round will have of ten questions is focused on Able SC! Don't miss it.
Where: Grateful Brew- 501 S Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC
When: February 12 from 6 to 9 pm
20% of drink sales to support Able SC! |
|
|
| |
|
| Able South Carolina: Winner of NIH Community Champions for Disability Health Challenge We are thrilled to announce we've been named a winner of NIH Community Champions for Disability Health Challenge. This prize competition, led by NICHD’s National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research, encourages community-based organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce health disparities experienced by people with disabilities.
"We are excited to make it to the next round and create a disability-led program in collaboration with the University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, and the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities to develop a sustainable model that can be used across the country," Able SC's CEO, Kimberly Tissot, shared, "Our program will aim at creating lasting healthcare initiatives by integrating disability education and culture in nursing education and hospital systems to address the social determinants of health." |
|
|
| | Helene Recovery Last fall Able SC was honored to welcome Sherman Gillums, Director of the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), during his visit on October 14th. Director Gillums spent valuable time with our emergency management team reviewing South Carolina’s response to Hurricane Helene. His insights and guidance will greatly enhance our efforts to ensure equitable emergency services for the disability community. We extend our sincere thanks to Director Gillums & staff for their support and expertise! |
|
|
| |  | Able SC Team Highlight: Youth Programs The transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities can be complicated. As an organization staffed and board-directed by a majority of people with disabilities ourselves, we understand the needs of youth, their families, and the professionals supporting them in ways that other agencies may not. We offer school based programs including pre-employment transition services, social clubs, and anti-bullying and pride building activities. We also organize a year-round leadership program for youth with disabilities, Equip, as well as the South Carolina summer Youth Leadership Forum. Learn more about our youth programs and services. Recently our Equip program youth participated in adaptive cooking classes and a movie night out to learn about how assistive technology can help them have a more enjoyable movie experience! |
|
|
 | Do you know about EPSDT- federally mandated Medicaid services for children with disabilities Last fall we sent an advocacy letter to SC's agencies responsible for ensuring children with disabilities have access to federally mandated services- The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), Department of Mental Health (SCDMH), and Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN). We are urging immediate reforms to ensure that all Medicaid-enrolled children in the state receive the services they are legally entitled to under federal law. Learn more about the letter Transitioning from the Early, Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) can be a significant process for families and individuals with disabilities. These two programs serve different purposes, but both aim to support. View the EPSDT to HCBS tool |
|
|
| | Upcoming Events Able SC has an abundance of educational events, social events, and more. Be sure to save these dates: Youth Events: Events for Youth ages 13-28 Consumer Events: Events for People with Disabilities Education Trainings: |
|
|
| | Save the Date: Advocacy Day for Access & Independence Make your plans now to join us at the South Carolina State House as we call on the state to Unlock Barriers, advocate for disability rights, and share our mission for a Barrier-Free SC! |
| |
|
| | | Fundable, held on November 15, was a wonderful success, thanks in part to you! We had the opportunity to mix and mingle with our community, raise awareness, and honor our award recipients. All this while raising additional funds for our organization. Thank you so much for your care and consideration and continued support! Did you miss it? You can watch the video we played for our awards show on Youtube- linked in the button below. |
| |
|
| | Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road Suite 106 | Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org |
| | |
|
| |
|
|
