The Arc Low Country

02/07/2026

✨ MEET OUR SPEAKERS ✨

As we count down to Disability Advocacy Day 2026, we’re excited to begin highlighting the voices who will help lead this important day at the South Carolina State House.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing speaker spotlights featuring individuals with lived experience, family leaders, community advocates, and policy champions who are shaping a more inclusive South Carolina.

We’re honored to kick off our speaker series by featuring our first and featured speaker…

🎤 Pamela S. Evette
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina

Lt. Governor Evette brings a strong commitment to community leadership, opportunity, and service. Her experience in public service and her support of nonprofits and community organizations across our state make her an important voice at Disability Advocacy Day 2026.

Topic: Leading Through Service: Community, Opportunity, and Impact

📍 Join us on March 4, 2026, at the South Carolina State House as we come together to advocate, connect, and elevate disability voices.

🔗 Learn more about our speakers and register to attend at scpdo.org

02/07/2026

Disability Advocacy Day is more than a rally… it’s a call to action.

On March 4, people from across South Carolina will come together at the State House to speak up for inclusion, access, and dignity for people with disabilities.

This is where lived experience meets leadership.
This is where voices that are too often overlooked are heard.

If disability issues matter to you, this day matters.

📍 Wednesday, March 4
🏛️ SC State House
🔗 Learn more at scpdo.org

02/07/2026

✨ SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: OUR 2026 EMCEE ✨

We’re thrilled to officially kick off our Disability Advocacy Day 2026 Speaker Spotlight Series by announcing our incredible emcee…

🎤 Judi Gatson 🎤

An Emmy Award–winning journalist, trusted civic leader, and powerful storyteller, Judi brings decades of experience elevating voices, shaping conversations, and connecting communities to action.

As co-anchor of WIS TV News at 5 & 6, Judi has spent nearly 30 years covering public policy, health equity, education, and issues impacting vulnerable communities across South Carolina.

On March 4, 2026, she’ll guide us through a day rooted in advocacy, inclusion, and impact at the SC State House…and we could not ask for a better voice to lead the conversation.

👉 Learn more about Disability Advocacy Day and our speakers at scpdo.org

👉 Register to attend: http://tinyurl.com/DAD2026Registration

💜 Stay tuned as we continue highlighting the voices leading the way at .

02/04/2026

Headline: Big news from our partners! 💙

We are so proud to be a part of the South Carolina Partnership of Disability Organizations (SCPDO) and to support the upcoming 37th Annual Disability Advocacy Day!

The official 2026 Digital Magazine is officially live, and it’s the perfect way to get ready for March 4th. It’s packed with:

Inspirational stories from self-advocates

A sneak peek at the legislative issues we’re tackling this year

A first look at the speakers joining us at the State House

Check out the magazine here 👉 tinyurl.com/DAD2026Magazine

Join us at the State House on Wednesday, March 4! Let's show up together to remind our leaders that disability policy is people policy. ♿🧡

💙 It’s here… and we’re so excited to share it with you! 💙

The Disability Advocacy Day 2026 Digital Magazine is officially live!

This year’s magazine highlights the incredible self-advocates, speakers, partners, and leaders who will be joining us at the South Carolina State House on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 for the 37th annual Disability Advocacy Day.

✨ Inside, you’ll find:
• A look at this year’s speakers
• Stories rooted in lived experience and advocacy
• A preview of the issues impacting South Carolinians with disabilities
• Ways YOU can be part of this powerful day

👉 Start here: tinyurl.com/DAD2026Magazine

Then, head over to scpdo.org to dive even deeper…
You can view full speaker bios, learn more about the day’s purpose, and find ways to get involved, attend, advocate, and support.

Disability Advocacy Day is about showing up, using our voices, and reminding lawmakers that disability policy is people policy.

We hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore the magazine, share it with your networks, and join us as we advocate together for a more inclusive South Carolina.

💙♿🧡

01/29/2026

🍔 Lowcountry Families — You’re Invited!

In celebration of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, join us for the Annual Waterfront Burger Bash at the Port Royal Sound Maritime Center.

📅 Monday, March 9, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Port Royal Sound Maritime Center
310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC

The event will include freshly grilled burgers, games, giveaways, and guided tours of the Maritime Center. It’s a fun, family-friendly afternoon focused on inclusion, connection, and community.

📩 Please RSVP by February 27 to [email protected]

We hope to see you there.

01/27/2026

Sharing for our friends at the College of Charleston.

🌟 Darwin Week Astronomy Open House — Friday, February 13, 7–9 PM 🌌

Come look up during Darwin Week at the College of Charleston!

The Astronomy Open House invites folks of all ages to gather on the roof of the Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center for star gazing and telescope views — a free, family-friendly chance to explore the night sky together. This event is part of a week of science festivities celebrating curiosity, discovery, and STEAM learning right here in Charleston. 👩‍🔬🔭✨

📍 Location: Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center Roof Observatory
🗓 When: Friday, February 13, 2026 | 7:00–9:00 PM EST
🌠 Who: Students, families, community members — all are welcome!

Bring your friends, bring your curiosity, and look up with us under the stars! 🌠

01/27/2026

Sharing for our friends at the Charleston Parks Conservancy.

01/27/2026

Sharing for our sister chapter, The Arc of Horry Inc.

🥜🥜 It's time to spread the love! 🥜🥜

Join us for The Arc of Horry’s PB&J Sandwich Making Competition at Horry Georgetown Technical College — Conway Campus on Saturday, May 9, 2026! All sandwiches made will go to help those facing hunger in Horry County!

This is in partnership with The Arc of South Carolina, The Arc of the United States, and AmeriCorps.

🟠 Sign in: 9:00 a.m. at Cafe 1100 (Building 1100B)
🟠 Competition: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (or until supplies run out)
🟠 Location: Horry Georgetown Technical College Cafe 1100 — 2050 Hwy 501 BLDG 1100B, Conway, SC
🟠 Register now: https://tinyurl.com/HorryPBJContest

Help us honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a “day on, not a day off” by volunteering!

For anyone who wishes to donate, you may complete this form here: https://tinyurl.com/HorryPBJDonations

You may also learn more here: thearcofhorry.org/mlk-day-of-service

01/27/2026

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 arcsc.org/vote for more information.

01/20/2026

✨ The countdown is ON ✨

March is officially Disabilities Awareness Month in South Carolina, and we’re kicking it off the best way we know how…by showing up, speaking out, and advocating together at Disability Advocacy Day (DAD) 💙

🗓 Wednesday, March 4 at 9:30 a.m.
📍 South Carolina State House

Disability Advocacy Day brings together self-advocates, families, professionals, and allies from across the state to elevate disability voices and advocate for policies that impact people with disabilities today and for generations to come.

Y’all are invited to join us as we celebrate 37 years of advocacy, community, and progress.

👉 Learn more and get all the details at scpdo.org

12/11/2025

10/22/2025

Free Resources on Decision-Making & Guardianship!

Do you have questions about decision-making supports, future planning, or guardianship for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)? Download our free resources to learn more about supported decision-making, planning for the future, and debunking myths about guardianship.

Download now: arcsc.org/supported-decision-making

Learn about The SC Supported Decision Making Project at scsupporteddecisionmaking.org.