The Arc of South Carolina

09/04/2026

Supporting Siblings - Strengthening Families

At The Arc, we recognize the vital role that siblings play in the lives of their brothers and sisters with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Siblings are often lifelong advocates, and we’re here to help them be the best advocates they can be.

Want to get involved? Visit thearc.org/get-involved/siblings to learn about advocacy opportunities, resources for daily living support, planning for independence, and connecting with other siblings for shared experiences and advice. Let’s empower siblings to create a brighter, more inclusive future!

09/03/2026

Every story matters.

The experiences of people with disabilities and their families can help others understand, connect, and see what inclusion really looks like in everyday life.

Through SC Stories of Disability, The Arc of South Carolina is creating a place to share real stories from across our state, stories about challenges, accomplishments, advocacy, community, relationships, independence, and the moments that matter.

Sharing your story can help:

• raise awareness
• challenge assumptions
• help others feel less alone
• show why inclusion and access matter
• inspire meaningful change

You do not have to be a professional writer. You just have to be willing to share your experience in your own words.

We would love to hear from people with disabilities, family members, caregivers, advocates, and others whose experiences can help tell the story of disability in South Carolina.
Share your story here:

https://www.arcsc.org/shareyourstorytoday

09/03/2026

First Responders: Enhance Your Skills with ALERT Training!

Do you know how to recognize and interact with someone on the autism spectrum in high-stress situations? The Arc's Autism Law & Emergency Response Training (ALERT) program is designed to equip first responders with the tools and knowledge to better serve individuals with Autism during emergencies.

Led by first responders who have personal experience with the autism spectrum, this training will help you:

*Understand autism spectrum disorder
*Recognize signs someone may be on the spectrum
*Learn effective communication techniques
*Manage risk in high-stress situations

Visit arcsc.org/alert to learn more.

Interested in becoming an ALERT trainer? Email us at [email protected] for more details!

09/03/2026

Help us thank South Carolina’s first responders ❤️

The Arc of South Carolina is bringing people across the state together for our 9/11 Day of Service, and everyone is invited to participate!

Children, teens, adults, families, schools, day programs, residential programs, community groups, coworkers...anyone can join us in creating messages of appreciation for the first responders who serve our communities.

Participation can be as simple as:

Making a thank-you card, drawing, poster, or sign
Recording a short thank-you video
Writing a note or letter
Creating something together as a family, class, group, or program
Using AAC, pictures, gestures, or another way to communicate appreciation

There is no one “right” way to participate. It can take five minutes or become a bigger group project. Every message of appreciation counts.

This project has a special focus on youth service and leadership, so we especially encourage children and teens to participate, but you do not have to be a young person to join us.

📸 Please send us photos or a short video! We’d love to see the process, the finished messages, and the people who helped create them.

With permission, submissions may be featured on The Arc of South Carolina’s website, social media, and in an upcoming newsletter as we celebrate service happening across South Carolina.

👉 Learn more and submit your participation:
arcsc.org/9-11dayofservice

Prefer to skip the form? No problem. You can simply email your photos, videos, or participation details to [email protected].

Babcock Center, Elite Home Care, Day Centers & Transportation, Burton Center for disabilities and special needs, Thrive Upstate, Charles Lea Center, Family Connection of South Carolina, Best Buddies South Carolina, Civitan Club of Columbia, SC, and Special Olympics South Carolina, we’d love for your communities to participate and help us spread the word!

Know a program, school, church, youth group, residential program, family, or community organization that might want to join us? Tag them below! This really can be as simple as making a few thank-you cards and sending us a photo. ❤️

9/11 Day AmeriCorps



South Carolina Human Service Providers Association

09/02/2026

🗳️ **Your vote counts, and understanding what’s on your ballot can help you vote with confidence.**

Join **The Arc, First Place Global’s Vote the Spectrum, and NEXT for AUTISM** for a free webinar led by people with disabilities and neurodivergent leaders.

**Your Vote Counts: Understanding Your Ballot and Voting with Confidence**
📅 Thursday, September 17
⏰ 12:00 p.m. ET

Speakers will talk about how they prepare to vote, learn what’s on their ballots, research candidates and ballot questions, and make informed voting decisions. The webinar will also highlight tools and resources that can make the voting process easier to understand.

🔗 **Register here:**
https://nextforautism.org/webinar-your-vote-counts/

And for South Carolina voting information, including registration, accessibility, voting rights, sample ballots, and our plain-language voter guide, visit:
👉 https://www.arcsc.org/vote

Every voter deserves access to clear information and the opportunity to make their own informed choices.

Your Vote Counts: The Arc, First Place Global's Vote the Spectrum & NEXT for AUTISM host this important webinar led by neurodivergent leaders.

09/02/2026

The Arc's Center for Future Planning aims to support and encourage adults with IDD and their families to plan for the future. The Center provides reliable information and assistance to individuals with I/DD, their family members and friends, professionals who support them, and other members of the community on areas such as person-centered planning, decision-making, housing options, and financial planning.

We encourage you to create an account and begin building your future plan.

Take a look at our Center for Future Planning Website Overview video here: https://youtu.be/nRaRf7kkxYk?si=aYuehOt37N_-kKv6

Visit futureplanning.thearc.org to learn more.

09/02/2026

Community Event Spotlight!

Victoria's Place Inc. is hosting its 5th Annual Fall Extravaganza Fashion Show on Saturday, September 19 at 4:00 PM at The Medallion Conference Center in Columbia.

This special event brings together fashion, inspiration, and community while raising awareness and support for children with disabilities.

📍 The Medallion Conference Center
7309 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209

🎟️ Tickets are available through Eventbrite. For more information, visit victoriasplaceinc.com or contact Dr. Melanie Ray at 803-606-3042.

Please share with anyone who may be interested in attending and supporting this event!

09/02/2026

A promising new effort is coming to South Carolina to improve mental health care for autistic children and youth.

The University of South Carolina’s Carolina Autism and Neurodevelopment (CAN) Research Center has received a $630,000 grant from The Duke Endowment to strengthen mental health services for autistic youth across our state.

The three-year initiative will focus on training, consultation, and mentorship for mental health professionals who serve, or want to serve, autistic children and youth ages 4–18. The project will also work to expand access to autism-informed mental health care in underserved communities across South Carolina.

Increasing the number of professionals who understand autism and can provide appropriate, respectful mental health support is an important step toward better access and better outcomes for individuals and families.

Learn more about the initiative from the University of South Carolina:
https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/about/news/2026/duke-endowment-can-grant.php

The $630,000 Duke Endowment-funded initiative will create a statewide training network for South Carolina mental health clinicians, expanding autism-competent care through online education, mentorship and community partnerships to improve access for families in underserved areas.

09/02/2026

A great new employment opportunity for South Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

Members of The Arc of South Carolina’s case management team recently attended an open house at Horry-Georgetown Technical College to learn more about ABILITYWorks, a new workforce education program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

ABILITYWorks is a 15-week program designed to help participants build workplace skills, explore career options, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for competitive, integrated employment. The program includes workforce readiness instruction, workplace learning, mentoring, and employment support.

Even better, ABILITYWorks is eligible for SC WINS funding, making the program tuition-free for South Carolina residents who meet the eligibility requirements. Applicants must be at least 18, have exited or graduated from high school, meet the program’s IDD eligibility criteria, and meet South Carolina residency requirements.

📅 Applications are now open
📍 Grand Strand Campus, Myrtle Beach
🗓️ Program dates: January 19 through May 4, 2027

This could be a wonderful opportunity for individuals who are ready to build skills, gain experience, and take the next step toward employment.

Learn more about ABILITYWorks and how to apply:
HGTC ABILITYWorks Program
https://www.hgtc.edu/jobtraining/abilityworks/

Please share this with someone who may benefit!

09/02/2026

Got a vehicle you no longer use?

Donating your car is a simple way to support The Arc of South Carolina’s work to promote and protect the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across our state.

Pick-up is free... whether the vehicle is running or not... and your donation may be tax-deductible.

Learn more or get started here: arcsc.org/donate-car