Assistive Technology Awareness Month

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National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2019

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

South Carolina Home and Community-Based Services Public Notice

Click Here To Read Public Notice Click here for Statewide Transition Plan

Fragile X Awareness Day 2019

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Advocacy Day for Access and Independence 2019

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Assistive Technology Awareness Month 2019

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Brain Injury Awareness Month 2019

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Disabilities Awareness Month 2019

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ID and Dementia Workshop 2019

Read the Flyer

Birth Defects Awareness Month 2019

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Disability Employment AWARENESS MONTH

October is Disability Employment AWARENESS MONTH for 2018.

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Fragile X Awareness Day July 22 2018

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Public Notice HASCI No2 Update 05-25-18

Click Here To Read Public Notice Click here for the Waiver Renewal Document

Special Screening "Intelligent Lives"

Advocacy Day for Access and Independence 2018

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Public Notice IDRD Amendments 1217

Click Here To Read Public Notice Click here for the Waiver Renewal Document

Public Notice CS Amendments 1217

Click Here To Read Public Notice Click here for the Waiver Renewal Document

Disability AWARENESS MONTH

Brain Injury Awareness Month 2018.
Read the Proclamation

March is Disabilities Awareness Month.
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Advocacy Day for Access and Independence April 26, 2017

Read the Proclamation click here for more Information

Disability Employment Awareness Month

March is Disability Employment awareness Month for 2017.
Read the Proclamation

Public Notice of Proposed Renewal of the Community Supports Waiver

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of the following proposed action regarding the five-year waiver renewal for the Community Supports (CS) waiver.The waiver renewal will be submitted on or before March 30, 2017. The requested effective date of the CS waiver renewal is July 1, 2017.
Click Here To Read the Notice
Click Here To View Waiver Document

Entrepreneurship 101

Division of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification
View Webinar Slides Click here for Webinar Recording

Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is Disability Employment awareness Month for 2016.
Read the Proclamation

SC Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Statewide Transition Plan

The SC Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Statewide Transition Plan is going through a third public comment period due to changes made in the plan per Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements. The comment period is Aug. 17 - Oct. 7, 2016.

A webinar and nine regional public meetings will be held to review the changes made to the plan, which outlines how South Carolina will meet the new standards for waiver services (specifically where services are provided) as required by CMS.

Comments may be submitted during the webinar, at a public meeting, or written comments on the Statewide Transition Plan may be sent to:
Long Term Care and Behavioral Health
ATTN: Kelly Eifert, Ph.D.
South Carolina Department Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 8206
Columbia, South Carolina 29202-8206
Read the Plan View the Notice

Assistance Dog Week 2016

Celebrate Assistance Dog Week and help raise awareness of the many ways assistance dogs help their partners.
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Intelligent Lives

The perception of intelligence is a powerful force in the systematic segregation, maltreatment, and unfulfilled potential of hundreds of millions of individuals with disabilities in the U.S. and worldwide. The documentary film project Intelligent Lives (working title) explores how the segregation of people with intellectual disabilities became the norm, why this segregation is slowly being dismantled, and how some people with intellectual disabilities are blazing a bold new path.
Flyer Film Summary Watch the Film Preview

State Plan for Independent Living Open for Public Comment

After receiving information from South Carolinians with Disabilities, the South Carolina State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) Goals and Activities are now open for public comment through June 10, 2016.
More Information

Public Notice of the MCC Waiver Renewal

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of the following proposed action regarding the five year waiver renewal for the Medically Complex Children's (MCC) waiver.
Public Notice Waiver Document Transition Plan

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Rule: South Carolina Statewide Transition Plan

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice that the revised draft Statewide Transition Plan, required per Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Rule (42 CFR 441.301(c)(6)), was submitted to CMS for review. It will be effective upon CMS approval.
Read the Notice Read the Plan

2016 Advocacy Day for Access and Independence

Join us for the 2016 Advocacy Day for Access and Independence at the State House, Columbia, SC.
Read the Proclamation Download Flyer

Disabillities Awareness Month 2016 Proclamation

Click here to read the Proclamation.

Employment Position Paper

Council approves Employment First Position Paper at October Meeting.
Click here to read the Position Paper.

DDC 2017-2021 SP Survey Report

Click here to read the Survey Report.

Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation

Click here to read the Proclamation.

Governor's Proclamation Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Governor Nikki R. Haley issued a proclamation marking July 26, 2015 as Americans with Disabilities Act 25th Anniversary Day in South Carolina. The Proclamation served to "encourage all South Carolinians to recognize the importance of the ADA and celebrate the people it has helped over the past quarter century as well as their achievements."
Click here to read the Proclamation.

The June 2015 Newsletter is Out

The June 2015 issue of the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council newsletter is now available. The newsletter features stories and pictures of recent activities, a calendar of upcoming events, information on emergency preparedness, and more.
Click here to read the June 2015 newsletter.

ADA Legacy Tour Bus

The ADA Legacy Tour Bus was at Able SC in Columbia on Wednesday, June 3 from 12:00-2:00PM. Some pictures from the event are below.

The ADA Legacy Tour is rolling across the country raising awareness and building excitement toward ADA25 - the 25th anniversary of the ADA in 2015! Disability organizations from the Midlands and beyond stopped by to help celebrate.

Governor Haley Declares April 16, 2015 as Advocacy Day for Access and Independence

Governor Nikki R. Haley issued a proclamation marking April 16, 2015 as Advocacy Day for Access and Independence in South Carolina. The Proclamation served to "encourage all South Carolinians to work together to destroy the barriers that hinder individuals with disabilities from becoming fully independent participants in our communities."
Click here to read the Proclamation.

Disabilities Awareness Month Proclamation March 2015

Governor Nikki R. Haley declared March 2015 Disabilities Awareness Month in South Carolina. The Proclamation served to "encourage all South Carolinians to work together to promote increased opportunities for people with disabilities, to recognize the many contributions made by people with disabilities in our communities, and to honor the dedication of the caregivers who bring support and hope to their fellow citizens."
Click here to read the Proclamation.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is launching a social media campaign, "Side-by-Side", to highlight community inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in everyday life. Find out how you can participate in the DDAM #SideBySide Campaign � visit the NACDD Facebook page or Twitter page.
If you have questions or comments, please e-mail us at vbishop@admin.sc.gov.

Read the 2013 Annual Report

The South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council 2013 Annual Report has been released. Included in the report are pictures, a letter from Council Chairperson Amy Davenport, FY 2012-2013 expenditures, the mission and goals, and a message from Executive Directory Valarie Bishop.
Click here to read the 2013 Annual Report.

ABLE Conference

MSW Student Doris Allen and her daughter Courtney enjoyed the ABLE Conference. Courtney stated the conference made her feel she had more control of her life. She stated she felt empowered. She began making self-affirming statements about her own abilities. Courtney stated it made her feel good to know she could make decisions and feel positive about the choices she made. She continues to follow up with surveys and information given; accessing available information and services. Courtney looks forward to other events which empower young adults with disabilities. Doris stated she was very proud and elated to see her daughter feel so inspired. The conference was put on by Able SC, Protection & Advocacy and the DD Council.

DDC kicks off National Youth Leadership Network Events

The Developmental Disabilities Council kicked off Orientation and Planning events in July, 2013 with their new National Youth Leadership Project. Events included a special Council introduction and a large partnership (ally) orientation and planning meeting. Participants included self-advocates, parents and interested advocacy organizations as well as state agencies. The goal of the project is to teach young leaders to advocate for themselves and to equip them and the larger disability community with the tools that will lead to full inclusion. The project will create a state youth self-advocacy team, a state community ally alliance and sustainability model. South Carolina is one of the newest state partners with NYLN and our approach is considered the model that will be followed for future state partnerships.

Youth Leadership Forum

One of the events that the Council supports is the Youth Leadership Forum. This is a 3-day event that is held annually to teach leadership skills to high school juniors and seniors who have a disability. In 2013 we connected this event with our new National Youth Leadership Project. All participants in the sessions at YLF got to hear about the National Youth Leadership Network and their resources. A special thanks to Contiuum of Care employee Carlos O'Neal who participated as staff for the event! Carlos is a wonderful coach and role model for all participating youth, regardless of their disability.

New Guidelines on Seclusion and Restraint for School Districts

After extensive development and review by a workgroup of the Office of Exceptional Children, the State of South Carolina, Department of Education has released the following Guidelines on Seclusion and Restraint to all school districts in South Carolina.