NewsBreak Original

Phillip and Leah, new parents, could hardly control their elation at the arrival of their first child, Robin. They doted on their newborn boy and cherished every second they had with him. But as Robin matured, his parents noticed that he had issues with social interactions. He rarely looked at people, ignored his name, chose to play alone, and did not cooperate.

Columbia, South Carolina - The South Carolina State Museum has an Accessibility Morning meet and greet with Esteban, the Pea Green Crayon from Drew Dewalt's The Day the Crayons Came Home children's book on February 11, 2023. This program provides free access for families of children, teenagers, and young adults who would benefit from a sensory-friendly experience and a quieter and calmer setting at the South Carolina State Museum.

Columbia, South Carolina - On November 9, 2022, the South Carolina Commission on Disabilities and Special Needs voted to terminate the contract and revoke the licenses for Community Training Homes I and Community Training Homes II issued to Lutheran Services Carolinas. These actions were taken to ensure the safety and well-being of persons supported.

Columbia, South Carolina - The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) will be hosting the 3rd Annual Holiday Market at the Central Office on 3440 Harden Street Ext., Columbia 29203 on December 8th from 10 am to 2 pm. Businesses owned by people with disabilities and providers that employ people with disabilities from across South Carolina will be selling Holiday gifts, crafts and treats to the public.

Bluffton, South Carolina – The South Carolina (SC) Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) awarded Beaufort County the 2021 Golden Palmetto Award. The Golden Palmetto Award is DDSN’s way of honoring SC county governments for providing outstanding support to individuals with disabilities.

Columbia, South Carolina - Since 2015, the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) has been fully committed to competitive integrated employment for those eligible for services. “DDSN believes that employment outcomes (and individual employment in particular) for adults of working age are the most meaningful.” This assurance is outlined in the state Directive 700-07-DD.

Columbia, South Carolina - The South Carolina State Museum has an Accessibility Morning with The Very Hungry Caterpillar on November 12, 2022. This program provides free access for families of children, teenagers, and young adults who would benefit from a sensory-friendly experience and a quieter and calmer setting at the museum.

(Sponsored Content) DDSN is featuring employment success stories during October National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Columbia, South Carolina - In 2020, Clarence’s grandmother, who is a Master Gardner, bought him a planter. The planter was filled with blue salvia, red geraniums, and later white pansies. Clarence chose the colors based on the colors of his favorite football team, the Patriots. This planter was the catalyst for Clarence’s interest in gardening as well as Happy Souls Heirloom Gardening.

(Sponsored Content) DDSN is featuring employment success stories during October National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Greenwood, South Carolina - Some years ago, Jonta Hackett worked with the Burton Center, a regional disabilities and special needs organization, on a contract with the Real Estate Solutions (R.E.S.) Pallet Company in Greenwood, South Carolina. The company approached the Burton Center about renting their warehouse to use as a pallet shop. The Burton Center agreed with the understanding that if there were any possibilities to gain real work experience, that they would give individuals that were supported, the opportunity. R.E.S. Pallet Company provided several job experiences in their shop. Some workers scrapped and shaved off bark, some stamped identification markers on the wood, and a few learned to use a nail gun to assembly pallets. Jonta caught on quickly and learned how to build the pallets.

Columbia, South Carolina - The Commission of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SC DDSN) will host its monthly meeting on Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 10:00 am to noon. The meeting will be held at the Dorchester County Council in the Chamber at 500 N Main St #3, Summerville, SC 29483. There will be a listening session after the meeting from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.

Columbia, South Carolina — The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SC DDSN) announced its participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation."

Columbia, South Carolina - The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) would like to announce the return of Exceptional Citizens Day at the South Carolina State Fair on Thursday, October 20, 2022. Attendees with lifelong mental or physical disabilities can get free admission along with a guest to enjoy the fair. DDSN will be inside the gates to greet guests from 11 am to 1 pm. Stop by and pick up resource information about DDSN services and a small gift to welcome the everyone to the state fair!

Do you or a family member have a disability or condition that requires specific accommodations? Take advantage of the time before a hurricane to plan how you will evacuate safely.

Columbia, South Carolina – The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) has formed the Interdisciplinary Technical Advisory Committee (ITAC) to advise DDSN regarding the best and most appropriate services for people who are experiencing some of the most significant challenges and to advise regarding DDSN policies, procedures, and practices which relate to the services available to those supported. The ITAC is comprised of a physician, a psychiatrist, a behavior analyst, and a policy and case management expert. Along with their professional expertise, the ITAC members bring to the table many years of experience in the disabilities field.

Columbia, South Carolina - August is #AbleToSave month. A Palmetto ABLE account is an investment account available to eligible individuals with disabilities. Palmetto ABLE accounts are made possible by the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience ("ABLE") Act. Palmetto ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save and invest money without losing eligibility for certain public benefits programs, like Medicaid or SSI. Earnings in your Palmetto ABLE account are not subject to federal or state income tax, so long as you spend them on "Qualified Disability Expenses."

A shot of paths in Stiglmeier Park in Cheektowaga, New York.Photo by J.M. Lesinski. The New York State Assembly recently passed a legislative package aimed at improving the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities in observance of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day.