Mia Van Benschoten Reliable Awardee:

Vertelle Pondexter-Jamison

This award is given to a supporter of Able South Carolina who we can rely on to assist us with the operations of our organization. Ms. Vertelle is one of Able SC’s Disability Vaccine Access Leaders. She is an enthusiastic community leader and has helped us at our Barrier-free vaccine clinics, reaching out to those in attendance to encourage vaccination. She is personally responsible for approximately 90% of the vaccinations given at events in her home town due to her kind, comfortable, yet stern insistence to her friends and neighbors that they receive their COVID-19 vaccine. She has made a tremendous difference in her community and to the success of our vaccine efforts in rural South Carolina.

Taylor Burch Achievable Awardee:
Cody Smith

This award is given to an Able SC consumer who has worked extremely hard to meet and achieve their goals! Cody Smith is a tireless advocate for people with disabilities. Cody is a graduate of Able SC's Community Leadership Academy (CLA) who works to integrate leadership and advocacy in his community work and his role as a student at Winthrop University. Cody had goals of being a solid self–advocate, learning to communicate his ideas effectively, and being a strong peer mentor to other individuals with disabilities. He has achieved those goals and leads the Able SC Empower Hour program weekly.

Commendable Awardee:
Meghan Bayer

This award is given to them for their commendable efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities!  Meghan, a person with type 1 diabetes, deafness, mobility, and a few other chronic conditions, is a graduate of Able SC's Equip and Community Leadership Academy (CLA) programs. She is currently a master's in social work student at Winthrop University. In 2020 Meghan founded a non-profit organization and continues to make sizable donations to the Johns Hopkins Stiff Person Syndrome Center. Meghan recently accepted the nomination to represent young adults with rare diseases from the State of SC on Capitol Hill during Rare Disease Week in 2023 from the Rare Disease Legislative Alliance (RDLA). In addition to gaining new skills to be the best future leader and representative she can be, Meghan has been working with legislators to address the significant barriers to Medicaid in SC. Since graduating from CLA, Meghan had a few individuals reach out to her about how they could get more involved with an organization or start a grassroots initiative. Meghan says, "It’s been a pleasure to see them all learning and thriving on their own self-advocacy/advocacy journeys as well."

Commendable Awardee:
Tyler Rex, Thrive Upstate

This award is given to them for their commendable efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities! Tyler is the Executive Director of Thrive Upstate and has been a champion for people with disabilities for many years. He is visionary and understands the need to disrupt the status quo. Before S 533, the bill to phase out subminimum wage was passed, he led efforts to end this discriminatory practice at Thrive Upstate. He is a leader in our state for ensuring that individuals with disabilities, specifically individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, can experience a full, meaningful, productive life and are included in every aspect of our society. Tyler is a leader in the SC developmental disabilities providers network, chairing statewide providers associations and mentoring other executive directors by showing them what true inclusion is.

Adaptable Awardee:
Michael Leach, Director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services

. This award is given to those who have shown great progress in adapting programs and philosophies to demonstrate disability rights and inclusion. “Mike” has earned this recognition for his ongoing efforts to strengthen child welfare and adult protective services to support the rights of adults, children, and parents with disabilities. SCDSS was not always in alignment with disability rights or providing equitable services. Mike steps up every time an issue is brought to his attention ranging from child welfare matters to employment for people with disabilities. Mike is a significant partner to Able SC, responds within hours to complaints with positive resolutions. He is a true asset to South Carolina.

Reportable Awardee:
Kayland Hagwood, WNCW

This award is given to journalists who accurately and justly cover topics related to the disability community. Kayland Hagwood has been a partner in reporting on disability rights issues, advocacy opportunities, and disability culture education with Able SC over the past year. She has consistently reached out to Able SC as a resource for disability community representation. Kayland has consistently taken the advice and education provided by Able SC when reporting on stories about our community. She has used the disability community's preferred language and has made an effort to understand the independent living philosophy. She regularly seeks the voices and opinions of disabled individuals over non-disabled peers when reporting on disability issues. Kayland has been a reliable reporting partner, and we appreciate her remaining connected with Able SC and continuing to report on disability issues with a firm understanding of disability rights and inclusion.

Legislative Awardee:
Senator Katrina Shealy

 This award honors legislators who have been key in the fight for disability rights and disability justice. Senator Katrina Shealy is a fierce ally and champion of the disability community. She not only has sponsored every bill Able SC has put forth, but she also fights for them to be passed and confronts any disability discrimination she experiences among her fellow legislators. Senator Shealy was key in the passing of S 533, the bill to phase out subminimum wage in South Carolina and implement Employment First