| | Public Health and Emergency Response Monthly Newsletter |
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| Free, Low-cost Vaccinations Protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19 and the flu. If you have insurance, the COVID-19 and flu vaccines are free at most pharmacies. You can protect yourself with vaccination. |
| | Vaccination Policies: What do Vice President Harris and Former President Trump Think? 1 in 3 South Carolinians has a disability. People with disabilities are at high risk of severe sickness and potential death from COVID-19 and the flu. It is important that people with disabilities get vaccinated to protect themselves. Disabled people, especially those who are Black, Indigenous, or other people of color, are more likely to get sick with COVID-19 and the flu and more likely to be hospitalized from getting sick. The SC Department of Public Health recommends: -
Vaccination for all eligible people 6 months of age and older. -
Vaccination especially for those 60 and older, and people with other medical conditions. The United States is getting ready for the next presidential election on November 5th. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are running against each other for the position. The Able SC Public Health team wants you have the information you need to make informed decisions about these candidates. Below is a simple comparison of their views on vaccination to help you understand where they stand. KAMALA HARRIS: As a leader in the current presidential administration, Vice President Kamala Harris has focused on following science and public health advice in handling COVID-19. The administration introduced rules for masks and vaccines, made it easier for people to get tested and vaccinated, and worked to strengthen the public health system. They ensured that states received the necessary supplies and established a special office to prepare for future pandemics. The administration also began reorganizing the CDC {Centers for Disease Control} to improve information sharing and proposed additional funding to support public health, including pandemic response efforts and vaccines for adults. They have also taken steps to combat misinformation and make healthcare more equitable for everyone. DONALD TRUMP: While serving as President, former President Trump created Operation Warp Speed, which helped develop COVID-19 vaccines quickly. He often questioned science and public health advice. He downplayed the seriousness of COVID-19 and disagreed with experts on school reopenings, testing, and masking. He promoted unproven treatments, such as hydroxychloroquine, and suggested using UV light or disinfectants as medical treatments to fight the virus. Trump left most COVID-19 response decisions to the states and proposed cutting funding for the CDC and other health programs. He has promised to stop all COVID mandates and cut funding to schools with vaccine or mask mandates, and he said he would likely disband the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness. Vice President Harris and former President Trump have very different views on COVID-19 and public health issues. We encourage you to research using quality sources to make the best decision for yourself and your community when voting this fall. Election day is November 5th. Do you know if you're registered to vote or where to cast your ballot? Check here: SC Votes South Carolina residents have until October 14 to register to vote. Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation, ELECTION 2024, Compare the Candidates on Health Care Policy SC Disability Vaccine Access Network |
| | | October is National LGBTQ+ History Month This month celebrates the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. The holiday was created in 1994 by Missouri’s first openly gay teacher, Rodney Wilson; he believed students should have better access to LGBTQ+ history as well as more role models they could identify with. October was chosen as LGBTQ+ History Month because it includes National Coming Out Day on October 11th. Since schools are open, more people can take part in learning activities. The month also marks important events in LGBTQ+ history, making it a good time to remember and learn. The Intersection of Disability and LGBTQ+ Representation About 40 million LGBQ adults have a disability, with 40% of bisexual men, 36% of bisexual women, and 36% of lesbian women affected. Additionally, about one-third of intersex adults and 40% of transgender adults report having a disability. These numbers show that many people in the LGBTQ+ community also live with disabilities. During LGBTQ+ History Month, it's important to recognize and include the experiences of LGBTQ+ people with disabilities, making sure our voices are heard, and our challenges are understood as part of the fight for equality. LGBTQ+ History Month vs. Pride Month LGBTQ+ History Month focuses on the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month, another celebration in the Queer community, is for the continued fight for LBGTQ+ rights. LGBTQ+ Pride began with the Stonewall Riots of 1969. The Stonewall Riots were a turning point for the LGBTQ+ rights movement. They showed that people were ready to stand up against unfair treatment. The riots helped spark new LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and led to the first Pride marches, which continue to be held every year to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride and rights. LGBTQ+ History Month is a celebration of our past; Pride is a protest and fight for our future. An International Celebration LGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated in many countries, but in the United States it takes place in October. The U.K. celebrates it in February, and their theme for 2024 is "Medicine," highlighting the contributions of LGBTQ+ people in healthcare, especially during the pandemic. The theme also focuses on the ongoing health inequities and barriers LGBTQ+ people face when accessing healthcare. Resources: Celebrating LGBTQ History Month: How It Started and Why It Matters LGBT History Month 2024: Why the US and UK Celebrate Differently National LGBT History Month Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., Kim, J., & Barkan, S. E. (2012). Disability Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults: Disparities in Prevalence and Risk. American Journal of Public Health, 102(1), e16. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300379 |
| | Upcoming Opportunities Household Consumer Training (10/29) This training will help people with disabilities make their homes safer. We will cover important safety tips, ways to make your home safer to move around in, and what to do in emergencies. By the end of the training, you'll know how to keep your home safe, be prepared for emergencies, and have tools and resources to make daily living easier and safer. To register for this training, visit the Able SC website Events page. |
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| | Violence Prevention & Survivor Services October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. People with disabilities are at higher risk of abuse compared to those without disabilities. This is partly because abusers exploit stereotypes that view people with disabilities as less valuable or capable. Often, abuse comes from those close to us, such as caretakers, friends, family, or partners, but it can also occur with people like medical staff or transport drivers. People with disabilities who experience domestic violence or sexual assault are the experts in their own experiences and needs. No matter who is doing it or where it’s happening, abuse is never the victim’s fault. If you are a person with a disability or health condition who has been hurt or abused: you deserve safety, you deserve to be listened to, and you are not alone! Able SC helps people with disabilities in South Carolina who have been hurt or abused by providing: - Support and Resources: We provide help to people with disabilities who have been affected by violence. We can connect them with resources, explain their legal rights, and offer support for healing. Our staff are not required to report abuse to authorities unless the person asks us to. We work closely with individuals, respecting their choices and needs.
- Educational Resources: We create easy-to-understand materials on how to have safe and healthy relationships. Our webinars, classes, and written guides are designed to be accessible for people with different disabilities. We teach about recognizing abuse, healthy relationships, and how to seek help.
- Professional Training: We train professionals who work with people with disabilities to improve their services. With 1 in 3 South Carolinians having a disability, our training helps organizations become more accessible and supportive for people with disabilities.
If you or someone you know needs help or would like to be referred to our Violence Prevention program, please contact us at 803-779-5121 or email us at referral@able-sc.org IMPORTANT: Please know that we don’t provide direct crisis services. This means that we do not have a shelter (a place for people to stay for a short time while escaping an abusive situation). We also do not have lawyers, police, therapists, or medical workers on staff. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. |
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| Public Health Initiatives Able SC provides advocacy and education to ensure that disability is represented in all areas of public health. We have established state and national partnerships with public health entities to ensure the needs of the disability community are included in all programs and services. We also offer direct programs to ensure people with disabilities have access to the information and resources they need to lead healthy, active, and independent lives. |
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Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery Services We organize the SC Disability Partners in Disaster Planning Coalition to ensure people with disabilities are being included and receiving equitable services throughout the state in all aspects of emergency planning. We also provide individual services to assist people with disabilities to prepare for emergency disasters, get the resources they need before, during and after emergency disasters |
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| | Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road Suite 106 | Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org |
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