The Arc of South Carolina

08/29/2026

Walk This Way! is a simple way to bring people together, get moving, and build new friendships right where you are.

Families, neighbors, group homes, facilities, churches, community groups, and local partners can all take the lead in starting a walking or rolling group in their own area.

The idea is easy: gather a small group of people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, choose a safe and accessible place to walk or roll, and make it a regular time to connect.

You can meet at a neighborhood sidewalk, local park, walking trail, school track, church parking lot, community center, or anywhere that feels welcoming and accessible.

Visit our Walk This Way! page for resources and ideas to help you get started:
www.arcsc.org/wtw

You can also join the Walk This Way! Facebook group to share updates, photos, encouragement, and ideas with others across South Carolina:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/800027194366143

Let’s support one another as we work to get healthy, stay active, and make every step count.

08/29/2026

Finding an inclusive activity should not require hours of searching.

The Arc of South Carolina’s new Inclusive Recreation Resource Guide brings together opportunities for people with disabilities from across the state—including adaptive sports, equine programs, dance, art, music, outdoor recreation and more.

Whether your family is looking for a first activity, a new challenge or simply another way to connect and have fun, this guide is a great place to start.

View or download the guide here:
https://cec2cbd5-a2bc-4604-8f2f-cdc4184e299d.filesusr.com/ugd/604c63_a477b8c999044aa8ad7a1aadc85f1dd6.pdf

You can also find the guide anytime through our Statewide Directory of Disability Resources:
https://www.arcsc.org/scdisabilityresourcedirectory

Programs, schedules, eligibility and costs may change, so please contact each organization directly for current information.

Know of an inclusive recreation opportunity we should add? Email us at [email protected] and please share this post so more South Carolina families can find it!

08/29/2026

The Arc@School's Advocacy Curriculum

Do you find the Special Education Process Confusing? We can help!

Visit thearcatschool.org/advocacy-curriculum to learn more.

08/28/2026

Sharing for our friends at Family Connection of South Carolina:

Parents and caregivers in Lexington-Richland School District Five, this may be a great opportunity to get more involved and better understand how to advocate within your child’s school.

Family Connection of South Carolina and Lexington-Richland School District Five are offering a free, two-part Parent Leadership Training for parents of students receiving special education services through an IEP.

The training will include information about parent leadership, advocacy, networking with other families, and opportunities to serve as a parent leader within the district.

📅 Saturday, September 19, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
📅 Sunday, September 20, 1–5 p.m.
📍 LexRich5 District Office, Irmo

Registration covers both days, and attendees must participate in both sessions.

See the flyer for registration information and additional details. Please share with families who may be interested!

08/28/2026

So much of what we do at The Arc of South Carolina is possible because people believe in this work.

Every day, we work alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through advocacy, case management, information and resources, community outreach, education, and programs that help create more inclusive communities across our state.

From helping families navigate complex systems, to educating policymakers, connecting people with resources, preparing first responders through ALERT training, creating inclusive experiences like Wings for All®, and making sure the voices and stories of people with disabilities are heard...there is a lot happening behind the scenes and across South Carolina.

If you believe in a South Carolina where people with disabilities have the opportunity to live, work, learn, participate, and make their own choices in their communities, we hope you’ll consider supporting The Arc of South Carolina.

Every gift, at any amount, helps us keep this work moving forward.

💜 Learn more or make a gift: arcsc.org/donate

Thank you to everyone who supports, shares, volunteers, partners with us, and believes in our mission. We truly could not do this work without you.

08/28/2026

SOUTH CAROLINA, WE NEED YOU. ❤️🤍💙

This 9/11 Day, The Arc of South Carolina is inviting families, friends, schools, workplaces, churches, civic clubs, youth groups, ALERT trainers, community organizations, and neighbors across the state to join us in turning remembrance into service.

And participating can be incredibly simple.

You can gather around your kitchen table, meet with coworkers at lunch, bring together a Sunday school class, organize your civic club, invite some neighbors, or get a group of friends together.

Here’s how you can serve:

❤️ Write thank-you and appreciation cards for first responders
👥 Bring people together for a card-writing service activity
🚒 Deliver your cards to a local fire department, EMS agency, law enforcement agency, dispatch center, or other first responder organization
📸 Take a few photos or short videos so we can help tell the story of service happening across South Carolina

You don’t need to buy anything. You don’t need to travel. You don’t need a huge group.

One person can serve.
One family can serve.
One classroom can serve.
One workplace can serve.
Your organization can serve.

Our schools and participating day programs will also be leading the sensory support kit portion of our project, Sensory Support Kits of Service: A Youth-Led 9/11 Day Project.

And young people can do so much more than participate. They can lead by recruiting volunteers, organizing an activity, writing cards, tracking results, taking photos, and helping make deliveries.

📅 Complete your volunteer activity by September 13.
📋 Report your service and send photos by September 14.

We’ve made it EASY. Our new webpage includes everything you need to participate, plus a downloadable step-by-step Volunteer Guide:

👉 www.arcsc.org/9-11dayofservice

Already completed your service activity? Report it here:
👉 tinyurl.com/ArcSC911Volunteers

Please SHARE THIS POST and tag a family, school, church, business, civic organization, youth group, or friend who could join us.

Imagine what we can do if communities all across South Carolina each choose one small act of service.

Let’s turn remembrance into service. Together.

08/27/2026

Have something to share about special education in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Advisory Council for Educating Students with Disabilities (ACESD) welcomes public comment at their meetings!

The Advisory Council meets regularly to address statewide issues that impact the education of students with disabilities. Meetings are open and accessible to the public, and time is set aside on the agenda for public comment.

Learn more and find upcoming meeting information here:
https://oses.ed.sc.gov/parents-family-community/acesd/acesd-public-comment

Please note: The Advisory Council focuses on broad, statewide issues, not individual concerns. For school-specific issues, contact the OSES Ombudsman at 803-734-2833 for assistance.

08/27/2026

Sharing for our friends at Bridged Nonprofit.

Do you feel confident walking into your child’s IEP meeting?

Understanding special education can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Our FREE IEP Training gives parents, grandparents, and caregivers practical knowledge and tools to better understand IDEA, strengthen their child’s IEP, and confidently advocate for the services and supports their child needs.

During the training, you’ll learn about:
📘 Special education law and your rights under IDEA
📘 The required parts of an IEP and what they actually mean
📘 How to prepare for and participate in IEP meetings
📘 Practical advocacy strategies you can use right away

We have virtual training options beginning this September, and registration is OPEN!

👉 Register at BridgedSC.org/Parent-Training or at the link in our bio.

08/27/2026

Looking for a simple way for your child or teen to give back?

The Arc of South Carolina is inviting youth under age 18 to participate in our 2026 9/11 Day service project honoring first responders.

Participation is easy and can be done from home. Youth can create a handwritten thank-you sign, card, drawing, or short message for first responders, and a parent or guardian can take a few photos of them participating.

Some of these photos may be used in project materials encouraging others across South Carolina to write cards and letters of appreciation for the first responders who serve their communities.

Interested? Comment below or send us a private message, and we’ll send you the simple instructions.

Please do not post photos of children in the comments. We’ll provide information privately about submitting photos and parent/guardian permission.

Help us show first responders how much their service means to our communities.

https://www.arcsc.org/9-11dayofservice

08/27/2026

Your Voice Matters — Make It Count!

Every election impacts the services, supports, and rights of people with disabilities. Laws and policies about healthcare, education, transportation, housing, and community inclusion are shaped by the leaders we elect. That’s why your vote matters — it’s your voice in shaping a more inclusive South Carolina.

Be ready before you head to the polls:

• Check your voter registration status
• Know your polling place and voting options
• Learn about candidates’ positions on disability issues
• Understand your voting rights, including accessible voting options

Find resources to make sure you have the information you need to make your vote count the next time you cast a ballot!

Visit The Arc’s Election Center here: https://act.thearc.org/campaign/elections

Visit arcsc.org/vote for more information.