Therapeutic Recreation offers full day, evening and weekend programs that allow caregivers a respite while adults enjoy meaningful engagement and an opportunity to develop life and social skills. Pograms at both a 1:3 and 1:6 ratio, allowing for staff to get to know participants and tailor programming in ways that offer the most benefit. See link for more details! https://www.icrc.net/programs-and-activities/special-needs-programs

Disclaimer: We do NOT endorse political parties. This is strictly for informational purposes on accessibility at the polls for Election season. If you are planning to vote on Election Day tomorrow, discussing the voting procedures with your teen, or adult, with disabilities, (or maybe as part of your homeschooling), please know they have rights as a disabled individual to proper access. This short video in the link below explains the accessible tools on the machines, curbside voting, and expressing your needs to poll workers : https://youtu.be/cOEh0V4vieM?feature=shared

Family Connections of SC are hosting a series of FREE virtual trainings for parents and caregivers, and professionals. Please see the links below to register for each training session offered. These sessions are in October and November of this year. Changing Problem Behavior into Positive Behavior: https://familyconnectionsc.networkforgood.com/events/75463-changing-problem-behavior-into-positive-behavior?utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_3561857 The Early Childhood Journey: https://familyconnectionsc.networkforgood.com/events/77746-the-early-childhood-journey?utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_3561857 What to Know as Your Child Turns 18: https://familyconnectionsc.networkforgood.com/events/77665-what-to-know-as-your-young-adult-turns-18?utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_3561857 The Power of Play with Kerri Wikel, IMH-E®-Infant Family Associate, https://familyconnectionsc.networkforgood.com/events/77667-the-power-of-play?utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_3561857 Department of Disability and Special Needs (DDSN) with Autism Division Director, Stephanie Turner https://familyconnectionsc.networkforgood.com/events/77744-ddsn-101?utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_356185

Sharing at Richland Library Main every Friday at 6:30 pm a sensory-friendly experience for all ages. See link below! https://www.richlandlibrary.com/events?keyword=Sensory%20Friendly%20Fridays%20for%20families&date_start=2024-10-01

Dropping some friendly FYI for our families whose children are enrolled in Early Intervention services. Did you know that your child's Early Interventionist can not only assist you in the child's at-home environment, but ALL learning environments? Yes, this includes you homeschoolers! As homeschoolers, our children may be in a classroom one day and participating in a workshop or event the next. Take advantage of this! Your Early Interventionist (EI) can not only participate at home with your child, but attend classrooms, events, and other physical areas of learning outside of the home. This provide a new learning experience and an increase boost of engagement between your child and their EI. Not to mention, it shakes up the monotony of being in the same space! Contact your child's Early Interventionist to see if that's something that can be implemented into their plans. EI services can go up to age 6, so remember, this IS a part of your child's homeschool- make it work for you! Happy Homeschooling ✌🏾❤️

Summer is not over so I am dropping this link from the American Red Cross. Fun, interactive resources for children AND parents on water safety, whether it is in the water or around it! 🌞 🏖 https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/water-safety-for-kids.html

Sharing these books for anyone interested in Black scientists and inventors for your kiddos. We purchased these on Amazon. 🖤 *You may have to click on this post to view the pictures. It is not displaying.

The intent of LOOK! is to highlight the abilities of the person being photographed and to help those viewing the photos to pause, reflect and see disability in a different way. Carly from Hippy Mama Vibes is one of the featured photographers 📸!! She is a huge advocate in the Disability community and one of our sponsors from Neurodiversity Among Us (NDAU 2024) . If you can come out to show her some ❤️, please do! View her work at https://hippymamavibes.mypixieset.com/ Sunday, June 2nd, 2024 - Opening exhibit (Register to attend) June 3, 2024- July 12, 2024 (Open to the public) Location- Richland Library Main For details and to register, visit this link: https://www.familyconnectionsc.org/look/

Personally, my kids and I love the Accessibility Day's at SCSM. And it's FREE from 9 AM- 11 AM! Attendees can pre-register online (which is encouraged) or general admission. All ages and abilities welcomed. FREE exploration of museum, storytime with character, planetarium or 4-D show available. See links for more details. This is every 2nd Saturday per month. Here are a few spring and summer dates to get you started! Saturday, May 10, 2024 https://scmuseum.org/events/accessibility-morning-pete-cat-0 Saturday, June 1, 2024 https://scmuseum.org/events/accessibility-morning-taco-dragon Saturday, July 13, 2024 https://scmuseum.org/events/accessibility-morning-esteban-magnificent

Saturday, May 4th, 2024 12 pm-2 pm at Southeast Richland Library. Janice Surginer, Southeast Children's Librarian and Multisensory Room Expert will be in the building! https://www.richlandlibrary.com/event/2024-04-06/play-freely-spring-break-mix-sensory-friendly-event

For anyone who participated in the Silent Disco Party area at NDAU, and have photos or video shorts they would like to share, please email them to me at aj.ford@akomacares.org. Silent Events is the company that provided the disco equipment and they recently asked for photos or videos to share with their team. These may be used for promotional purposes too as they use photos for content as well. If this interest you, please send them my way. Any questions, please reach out. Thanks!

For our NC families or (if you would like to travel!) Saturday, May 4th at 10 am to 1 pm located in Charlotte, NC. See the link. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-autism-resource-fair-tickets-852941199087?aff=erelexpmlt