Able South Carolina

06/15/2026

On Tuesday, June 2, Able SC stepped up to the podium during the Greenville County Council meeting to deliver a vital public comment. One of our VPs, Sandy Jordan, strongly advocated for Greenville County to maintain crucial transit funding in the upcoming 2027 budget, emphasizing that equal access to public transit is an absolute necessity for people with disabilities.

Thank you to Greenville Connects for their incredible partnership and the lime green T-shirts! Together, we are working to ensure our community's transit system moves everyone forward.

[2 photos- Able SC staff giving public comment during Greenville County Council's meeting on June 2, 2026. Photo 1- Sandy, a white woman with long dark hair and glasses, Jayden, a white person with short hair and glasses, and Jennifer, a Chinese-American woman with dark hair, all smile while wearing matching shirts that read, 'I'm a wannabe rider.' Photo 2- Sandy advocates for Greenville County to maintain transit funding at a podium.]

06/12/2026

Recently, our partners at SC Vocational Rehabilitation invited Able SC to deliver a presentation highlighting our community programs and approach to individual and systemic advocacy. We'd love the opportunity to come and talk with you about our programs and services and how we're working to remove barriers in the workplace! Interested in hearing from our employment programs team? Send us an email: [email protected].



[Able SC's Marly and Sandy take a selfie before their presentation. Marly is a Lebanese woman with dark hair and glasses, and Sandy is a white woman with dark hair and glasses.]

06/11/2026

We have been nominated in THREE categories for the Free Times Best of Columbia Awards:
🏆 Best Activist Group or Effort
🏆 Best Charity
🏆 Best Place to Work
Show your support for Able SC - visit the link: https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/contests/best-of/ #/gallery?group=549820

These nominations are a direct reflection of the hard work, passion, and commitment our incredible team of disabled community members brings to Able SC every single day.

As a disability-led organization, Able SC works to advance independence, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities across South Carolina. We provide thousands of services each year through advocacy, peer support, independent living services, transition supports, youth leadership development, and community engagement efforts that strengthen our communities and improve lives.

We would love your help in bringing these awards home! Please take a moment to vote for Able SC in all three categories under Politics & City Life.

Take your support even further by sharing the link with your friends, family, community partners, and networks. Every vote helps amplify the importance of disability-led organizations and the impact of the work we are doing together.



[Graphic with a 'vote' button and text, 'Free Times Best Of Columbia 2026, About SC is nominated! Vote for Able now through June 26 for: Best Activist Group of Effort, Best Charity, Best Place to Work.']

https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/contests/best-of/?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_6a20702bd9bf87ec7bf8debc #/gallery?group=549820

06/11/2026

Did you know that 30% of adults in South Carolina have a disability, but we only make up 4.2% of healthcare workers? We are working to change that.

Able SC recently teamed up with the University of South Carolina College of Nursing and Lexington Health to present on how we can bring more people with disabilities into healthcare professions.

Through this partnership, we are building a clear path from school to training to employment and tearing down the barriers that hold people back.

People with disabilities belong in every profession!



[Wide photo of Able SC staff with a large gathering of people who participated in the presentation.]

06/10/2026

Meet Gabe! 👋, “I believe that supportive decision making is super important because it allows people to ask for help and ask questions about issues they face throughout their everyday life.”

In his 20s, Gabe is a musician, athlete, traveler, and college student at Spartanburg Community College. He is also blind.

Instead of traditional guardianship, Gabe uses Supported Decision Making (SDM) to navigate his everyday life while maintaining full autonomy. To Gabe, SDM means having the freedom to ask for help and ask questions whenever he faces new milestones.

Here is what SDM in action looks like for Gabe:
📚 Education: He leans on his support network to choose his college classes and figure out prerequisites.
🏦 Finances & Health: With his mom’s support, he opened his own bank accounts and independently navigates health decisions.
❤️ Relationships: When he needs advice on family, friends, or asking someone out on a date, his family and friends are his first stop.

Gabe proves that with the right team in your corner, independence isn't just possible—it's the standard!

🌐 Read more real-world success stories and find free resources at scsupporteddecisionmaking.org.



South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council, South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, Disability Rights South Carolina, Family Connection of South Carolina, The Arc of South Carolina, University of South Carolina

[Photo of Gabe, a white man who is blind, with quoted text copied from the post. Text is dark teal over light aqua background and features SC Supported Decision Making Logo.]

06/09/2026

🗳️ It’s Primary Election Day in South Carolina!
Members of our team are already out making their voices heard. POLLS CLOSE AT 7 pm! Stay in line and cast your vote!

Did you know that with 1 in 3 South Carolinians identifying as having a disability, our collective vote is incredibly powerful? Let’s make sure we are heard today!

🚗 Need a Ride to the Polls? We’ve Got You Covered!
If you need assistance getting to your polling location, give us a call at 803-779-5121 and tell our team: “I need help getting transportation to vote.” You can also reach out directly to these accessible transportation resources today:

The COMET / DART (Columbia Area)
Cost: FREE rides to the polls!
Note for DART riders: Please call the DART Dispatch number directly to schedule your ride.
📞 DART Dispatch: 803-255-7123
📞 General Info: Ms. Betty Robinson (Assistant Operations Manager) at 803-255-7090

GreenLink (Greenville Area)
Cost: FREE rides to the polls!
📍 Location: Greenlink Transit Center, 100 W. McBee Avenue, Greenville, SC 29607
📞 Customer Service: 864-467-5000

Metro One (Accessible Vehicles Available)
Cost: $13 one-way pickup fee ($26 round trip) + $2.50 per mile.
Bonus: They offer same-day rides!
📞 Phone: (803) 391-0437



[Three photos of staff from Able SC after they voted, showing off their 'I voted' stickers. Image 1 - Mary Alex, a white woman in a coral top smiles with I voted sticker and sign at her polling location. Image 2- Angel, a biracial Korean and white person in a wheelchair, takes a selfie with their husband, sporting the sticker. Image 3- Julia, a white woman with curly brown hair using a wheelchair, takes a selfie with her 'I voted' sticker.]

06/09/2026

! Updated date, event now October 7.

UPDATE: NEW DATE- 10/7

Is your business ready to build a more resilient workforce and tap into an overlooked talent pool? Able South Carolina and Hire Me SC invite business managers, executives, HR professionals, and service providers to the 11th annual Employer Summit on Wednesday, October 7, from 10 am to 3 pm.

Hosted at Dominion Energy’s VC Summer Nuclear Learning Center in Jenkinsville, SC, this premier one-day conference coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month. With one in three South Carolinians having a disability—yet 60% remaining unemployed—this summit is your opportunity to bridge the gap and strengthen your bottom line.

Preview the agenda and take advantage of our early-bird registration special for just $75 now through July 15th (regularly $100): https://www.hiremesc.org/employer-summit



[Hire Me SC 2026 Employer Summit Graphic with 2 photos of past speakers, a Black man standing with arms out, and a white woman holding a microphone. Features brand colors in deep teal, blue, green, and light green on geometric shapes. Text, 'Hire Me SC 2025 Employer Summit October 7, 2026 at Dominion Energy, hiremesc.org/employer-summit,' with Able SC logo.]

06/09/2026

Show your support for Able SC- we have been nominated in THREE categories for the Free Times Best of Columbia Awards:

🏆 Best Activist Group or Effort
🏆 Best Charity
🏆 Best Place to Work
Link to vote: https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/contests/best-of/ #/gallery?group=549820

These nominations are a direct reflection of the hard work, passion, and commitment our incredible team of disabled community members brings to Able SC every single day.

As a disability-led organization, Able SC works to advance independence, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities across South Carolina. We provide thousands of services each year through advocacy, peer support, independent living services, transition supports, youth leadership development, and community engagement efforts that strengthen our communities and improve lives.

Being nominated for Best Place to Work is especially meaningful because it reflects the culture our amazing team has created; one grounded in purpose, resilience, teamwork, and a shared commitment to making South Carolina for everyone.
We would love your help in bringing these awards home! Please take a moment to vote for Able SC in all three categories under Politics & City Life: https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/contests/best-of/ #/gallery?group=549820

Take your support even further by sharing the link with your friends, family, community partners, and networks. Every vote helps amplify the importance of disability-led organizations and the impact of the work we are doing together.



[Graphic with text, 'Free Times Best Of Columbia 2026, we're nominated! Vote for Able now through June 26 for: Best Activist Group of Effort, Best Charity, Best Place to Work. Able South Carolina.']

https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/contests/best-of/?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_6a207022d9bf87ec7bf8de6e #/gallery?group=549820

06/08/2026

Every person deserves the right to make choices about their own life, education, and future. Supported Decision Making is a powerful tool that ensures people with disabilities maintain their autonomy while receiving the support they need.

We are thrilled to announce expanded resources via The Partner Toolkit! Developed specifically for educators and families, this toolkit is packed with practical strategies to guide student decision-making and boost self-advocacy.

👉 Take Control Today:
1️⃣ Visit scsupporteddecisionmaking.org to download the new toolkit.
2️⃣ Read real success stories of South Carolinians living independent lives.
3️⃣ Drop your questions below or reach out to our team at [email protected] to learn how to get started!

Independence can be the standard, not the exception.



South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council, South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, Disability Rights South Carolina, Family Connection of South Carolina, The Arc of South Carolina, University of South Carolina

[Photo of a father and daughter smiling arm-in-arm, a Black man with a mustache, and a young Black woman with Down Syndrome. Text featured reads, 'SC Supported Decision making, Alternatives to Guardianship, Decision Making Supports (Without Loss of Rights). Graphic in brand colors of light teal, aqua, green, with project logo.]

06/05/2026

🎸 TOUR DIARY: DAYS 1-3 RECAP 📸

Greenville, you were an incredible crowd! 🙌 The first leg of the summer Equip On Tour absolutely rocked this week.

Our youth and leaders brought pure, unmatched energy to the Upstate! We packed the house at the Able SC offices on Tuesday, kept the momentum rolling into Wednesday at ClemsonLife, and ended our time in the Upstate at the Greenville Library.

Take a look through our official "tour photos" below to see our youth mastering independent living skills, sharpening their advocacy, and connecting with peers!

Drop a ⚡ in the comments if you spot yourself in the crowd!

A massive shoutout to our summer tour funder, the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council —thanks to their incredible funding, admission to every single stop on this tour is 100% FREE for youth with disabilities ages 13–28.

🚨 MIDLANDS… YOU’RE NEXT! 🚨
The tour isn’t over yet. We’re hitting the road again next month for the Midlands Leg in Columbia, SC!

📅 SAVE THE TOUR DATES: July 21, July 22, & July 23

Want to see where we're popping up next and lock in your free ticket? Don't wait for the location drop—secure your spot on the guest list now!

🔗 REGISTER HERE: able-sc.org/get-support/equip-program



[10 professional quality photos from days at ClemsonLife and Greenville Library, taken by photography enthusiast and team member, Michael Hanna (big thank you to Michael for sharing his talents with us!). Photo selections include youth inside a greenhouse at Clemson, exploring the garden beds and fish tanks, and youth at the Hughes Main Library, learning about the book sorter and other library functions. Full image descriptions provided in alt text.]