Able South Carolina

Able South Carolina Able SC is a disability-led organization transforming systems, communities, and individuals. We didn’t just learn this. Disability is part of who we are.

Able SC is a disability lead organization seeking transformational changes in systems, communities, and individuals. Since 1994, we’ve remained a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability nonprofit that seeks to make South Carolina a national model of equity and inclusion for all people with disabilities. We are the state’s oldest and largest federally recognized disability-led organi

zation. More than 3/4 of our staff are people with disabilities, as are over half of our Board of Directors. We practice coequality, disability justice and representation, and true inclusion through consumer-driven independence and disability pride. As people with disabilities, our work doesn’t end when we leave the office. We live this every day.

Ready to strengthen and enhance your workforce? Join Able South Carolina and Hire Me SC for the 11th Annual Employer Sum...
08/24/2026

Ready to strengthen and enhance your workforce? Join Able South Carolina and Hire Me SC for the 11th Annual Employer Summit: "Disability Made for Business"!

One in three South Carolinians has a disability, yet 60% remain unemployed. Coinciding with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, this premier one-day conference offers business executives, managers, HR professionals, and service providers practical tools to access an underutilized talent pool and improve organizational outcomes.

Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Dominion Energy’s VC Summer Nuclear Learning Center (Jenkinsville, SC)
Tickets: $100 (Includes full-day access, catered lunch, and networking opportunities)

Registration closes: September 30th

Summit Highlights:
Keynote Session: "Kickin' it with Kimberly," featuring Able SC CEO Kimberly Tissot and Dominion Energy’s Sam Slagle, sharing practical insights on the benefits of employing individuals with disabilities.

Two Focused Tracks:
Employers: Engage with sessions on "The ADA as a Business Tool" and "HR Mythbusting."
Service Providers: Explore "Collaborative Pathways" and "Using Assistive Technology as a Workforce Solution."

HR Credits: Approved for 2.5 hours of nationally transferable HRCI and SHRM credits.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers over lunch and participate in the interactive "Beyond the Booth" vendor session.

Sponsorship & Vendor Opportunities: Enhance your organization’s visibility. Vendor spots are available during registration. Interested sponsors can contact David Laird at [email protected].

Register today and help bridge the workforce gap: 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.]

Are disability-specific "villages" expanding authentic choice, or are they quietly bringing back segregation with better...
08/21/2026

Are disability-specific "villages" expanding authentic choice, or are they quietly bringing back segregation with better branding?

In the latest edition of Kickin' It with Kimberly, Able SC CEO Kimberly Tissot tackles a controversial but critical tension in the disability rights movement—the difference between real community inclusion and separation disguised as support.

"Safety without freedom is not inclusion. And comfort without choice is not dignity."

While disability-specific housing complexes can offer safety and convenience, Kimberly challenges us to ask whether we are building true access or just building nicer barriers. She shares why disabled people must drive the decisions shaping their own lives, housing, and futures.

Read the full letter: https://www.able-sc.org/resource-library/community/kickingaug26/



[Kickin' It with Kimberly: Why "Disability Communities" Aren't The Solution. A letter from Able SC CEO, Kimberly Tissot. Features a developmentally disabled white man in a wheelchair, smiling. Able SC logo at base.]

Did you know? You can support disabled youth by purchasing supplies from our Amazon Youth Team Wishlist. Your purchases ...
08/21/2026

Did you know? You can support disabled youth by purchasing supplies from our Amazon Youth Team Wishlist. Your purchases support our youth programs, including Equip, SC Youth Leadership Forum, and others. Visit our wishlist today: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2AL8CG12F7P2U/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex



[Graphic with text copied from post on a pink post-it note with a paperclip featuring Able SC, Equip, and SCYLF logos.]

At the 2026 Employer Summit, those on our Employer Track will hear Kerianne Krause of Beyond Distilling Company and Oliv...
08/20/2026

At the 2026 Employer Summit, those on our Employer Track will hear Kerianne Krause of Beyond Distilling Company and Olivia Scott of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank dismantle misconceptions that often prevent employers from hiring individuals with disabilities. By contrasting a small-scale manufacturer (Beyond Distilling) with a large-scale financial institution (AgFirst), this session demonstrates that inclusive hiring is a viable, high-return-on-investment strategy regardless of company size or services offered to the community.

Leaders, managers, and HR professionals in business, government, and the nonprofit sector as well as disability service providers don't want to miss 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 register: https://www.hiremesc.org/employer-summit



[Hire Me SC 2026 Employer Summit Graphic with 2 photos of speakers, and text, 'Hire Me SC Employer Summit 2026, Fireside chat: HR Mythbusting with AgFirst & Beyond Distilling, October 7, 2026 at Dominion Energy, hiremesc.org/employer-summit,' with Able SC logo. Kerianne is a white woman with blonde hair in a colorful blazer. Olivia is a black woman with braids in a bun wearing a black blazer over a white tie blouse.]

Today is the start of Early Voting for the 2026 Special Republican Primary Runoff! Early voting centers are open 8:30 am...
08/19/2026

Today is the start of Early Voting for the 2026 Special Republican Primary Runoff! Early voting centers are open 8:30 am to 5 pm. Friday (8/21) is the last day of early voting. The official election day for this runoff is Tuesday, August 25, when polls are open 7 am to 7 pm. People with disabilities, this is a crucial election, and we must make your voices heard!

Who can vote in the runoff election?
If you voted in the Democratic primary election in June, you are not eligible to vote in this special runoff.

If you voted in the Republican primary in June, you can vote in this special runoff.

If you did not vote in either party’s primary in June, you can vote in this special primary runoff.

Voters can verify their registration status and view a sample ballot on the South Carolina Election Commission website: scvotes.gov

Double-check your early voting center location here: https://scvotes.gov/early-voting-u-s-senate-special-republican-primary/



[Photo of Able SC staffer, Troy Hall, smiling outside wearing an 'I Voted' sticker. Troy is a white man with glasses.]

🎸 EQUIP ON TOUR DIARY: FINAL 3 DAYS OF SUMMER RECAP 📸Columbia's leg of the summer Equip On Tour was full of summer joy!O...
08/17/2026

🎸 EQUIP ON TOUR DIARY: FINAL 3 DAYS OF SUMMER RECAP 📸

Columbia's leg of the summer Equip On Tour was full of summer joy!

Our youth and leaders gamed all morning at Fireflies Toys and Games, found inspiration at the SC State Museum, and watched a documentary by a disabled youth-led group at Able SC's Columbia office.

Take a look at our official "tour photos" to see our youth mastering independent living skills, sharpening their advocacy skills, 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 SC Developmental Disabilities Council—thanks to their incredible funding, admission to every single stop on this tour was 100% FREE for youth with disabilities ages 13–28.

Our programs aren't over! We hang in person every week at Equip FLOW, meet up online for virtual hangouts, and host virtual programs like creative writing club and a monthly meet-up with disabled peers living on the West Coast. Get the details: able-sc.org/get-support/equip-program



[7 photos from various Equip on Tour summer dates: 1- The Equip group smiles and poses for a photo at the SC State Museum. 2- A disabled youth in a wheelchair views an exhibit. 3- Disabled youth walks towards a locomotive exhibit. 4- Disabled youth and staff view a museum exhibit. 5- Disabled youth sit while others stand and view an exhibit at the SC State Museum. 6- Disabled youth watch a movie in the Able SC office training room. 7- Disabled youth and staff play board games at Firefly Toys and Games.]


https://www.able-sc.org/get-support/equip-program/?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_6a7e0ff328ba7ecc20d11e8e

Steering Your Future: Accessible Careers in the Auto IndustryRegister now for our September Skill-Building Workshop: Ste...
08/14/2026

Steering Your Future: Accessible Careers in the Auto Industry

Register now for our September Skill-Building Workshop: Steering Your Future, taking place every Thursday in September from 6- 7 pm on Zoom.

In this four-week virtual series, youth will get a unique opportunity to learn from leaders in the auto industry about the importance of making a career plan, career opportunities in the auto industry, accessibility in employment, and other important topics related to finding a career that’s a perfect fit.

Developed with our partners at various major auto industries, this exciting virtual series will also feature an opportunity to participate in a tour of an automotive plant. Tour attendees will get to see firsthand examples of the types of careers discussed in this series!

This program is open to anyone 13-28 with a disability who wants to learn more about making a career plan and accessible careers in the auto industry!

Follow the link below to sign up now!
Register: https://form.jotform.com/231865149028056



[Text reads, "September Skill-Building Workshop: Steering Your Future: Accessible Careers in the Auto Industry. Every Thursday in September from 6-7pm on Zoom. Free for youth with disabilities ages 13-28." Includes logo for Equip inside a steering wheel graphic, illustration of a sporty SUV, and the Able South Carolina logo.]

https://form.jotform.com/231865149028056?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_6a7f23f23325961c34a88ed3

Jumping into the weekend like... Check out these photos shared with us by our board member, Corey Mitchell. Corey is a d...
08/14/2026

Jumping into the weekend like... Check out these photos shared with us by our board member, Corey Mitchell. Corey is a disabled wheelchair user who loves a good thrill! Here's to amazing weekend plans, making lasting memories, and showing your Disability Pride!


[Four photos capturing Corey's skydive adventure. Corey is a Black man with no hair, wearing goggles and straps to keep his legs stable during his jump. 1- Corey launches out of the plane, strapped to his dive guide. 2- Corey and his guide prepare to jump from the edge of the plane. 3- Corey and his guide exit the plane. 4- Corey and his guide are in the air, clouds below them. Corey is giving a thumbs up.]

We are proud to accept an award from The United Way of Anderson County to help us continue our work with youth in school...
08/13/2026

We are proud to accept an award from The United Way of Anderson County to help us continue our work with youth in schools, equipping them with the pre-employment transition skills they need to find a job and reach their goals. Thank you, UWAC!


[A photo of Able SC staff, Troy Hall and Sandy Jordan, with United Way Anderson representatives. They are holding a certificate while standing in front of a United Way banner. Troy is a white man with glasses. Sandy is a white woman with glasses and dark hair.]

This just in! We are SHRM/HRCI credit-approved! Attendees will receive 2.5 hours of nationally transferable credits. Gai...
08/12/2026

This just in! We are SHRM/HRCI credit-approved! Attendees will receive 2.5 hours of nationally transferable credits. Gain skills to enhance your workforce at the 11th annual Employer Summit on Oct 7. Join Able SC and Hire Me SC to learn strategies to tap into an overlooked talent pool and build a resilient business. Registration closes September 30th.

Details, full agenda, and tickets/registration: hiremesc.org/employer-summit



[Hire Me SC 2026 Employer Summit Graphic featuring HRCI and SHRM credit logos. 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.]

Address

720 Gracern Road, Suite 106
Columbia, SC
29210

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18037795121

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