Offering ABLE Accounts to South Carolinians with disabilities

Tax-free savings plan for disability-related expenses

Save and invest without losing federal needs-based benefits

 

Benefits

 

Tax-Free Earnings The earnings you make on your STABLE Account are not subject to federal or South Carolina state income taxes, so long as you spend the earnings on Qualified Disability Expenses.

 

Keep Your Public Benefits. One of the primary reasons that the federal ABLE Act was passed was to protect individuals with disabilities from losing certain benefits such as SSI or Medicaid. With the exception of some special SSI rules (see below), your STABLE Account funds do not count against you for purposes of determining your eligibility for means-tested federal benefits programs. For example, if you have $5,000 in your STABLE Account, that $5,000 does not count as an asset when determining your eligibility for SSI or Medicaid. In addition, your STABLE Account will not affect your eligibility for state-based means-tested benefits programs offered by South Carolina.

 

No Impact on Medicaid Benefits

 

For more information, go to www.scable.org

 

Free White Cane Program

We believe the long white cane is a means to independence.  The white cane has proved a useful tool to millions of blind people in navigating their environments with confidence and safety.  It is a tool which allows blind people to travel where and when they want, and as such leads to self-sufficiency.

We believe that independence and freedom to travel are so important to the quality of life of blind people that every blind person should have a cane, regardless of ability to pay.

We are giving, free of charge to the user, rigid fiberglass canes.  Please see the online application or download the paper application to view available cane sizes.

Request a free white cane!

Visit our online free white cane application form now or complete an accessible PDF application online. Completed applications should be mailed to:

Free White Cane Program
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
at Jernigan Place
                                 Baltimore, MD 21230

Any blind individual in the fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico may request a cane for their personal use.  Requests may be made as often as every six months.

For adult first-time cane users, we recommend measuring from your shoulders to the floor. The cane needs to reach a good two steps in front of where you are stepping. The speed of your pace and length of your stride will make a difference. More seasoned cane travelers may wish to have a longer cane, measuring at least chin height.

For children, teens, and young adults who are first-time cane users, we recommend measuring from your chin to the floor. More seasoned cane travelers may wish to have a longer cane, measuring at least nose height.

Frank Coppel
847 Jefferson Street
W Columbia, SC 29169
Phone: (803) 796-8662
E-Mail: frankcoppel@att.net

Help build a future full of opportunity for the blind by becoming a member of the Dream Makers Circle. Your legacy gift to the National Federation of the Blind can be made in the form of a will or living trust, an income-generating gift, or by naming the NFB as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy. You can also become a member of the Dream Makers Circle by making a legacy gift to your state affiliate. By committing to support an NFB affiliate, your gift will benefit both local and national programs as all bequests made to affiliates are split evenly with the NFB national treasury. In addition to having the satisfaction of contributing to the future success of the NFB’s mission, Dream Makers Circle members will also receive a specially designed thank you gift and other benefits. For additional information about the Dream Makers Circle, please contact Lou Ann Blake at the NFB Jernigan Institute by e-mail at lblake@nfb.org, or by telephone at 410-659-9314, extension 2221.

 

 

 

I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution

 

 

If you missed the NFB of SC 2018 State Convention!  Below are the  awards, scholarship winners, and the state board election results!

 

Award winners

 

Educator of the Year, Tracy Spittle

Associate Member of the Year, Larry Warrington

Donald C Capps, Valerie Warrington

 

Scholarship Winners

Sarah Massengale

Abbigayle Keown

Anna Price

 

State Board Election results.

 

Frank Coppel, President

Lenora Robertson, 1^st Vice President
Debra Canty, 2^nd Vice President
Valerie Warrington, Treasurer

Shannon Cook, Secretary

Steve Cook, District 2

J. W. Smith, District 4

Garrett Mosley, District 6
Tiffiny Mitchel, Board Member at Large

Jamie Allison, Board member at Large

The South Carolina State Library’s Talking Book Services will host an author talk by Michael Hingson for Blindness Awareness Month on October 18, 2018. Hingson, a blind survivor of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, will tell his life story and detail how he and his guide dog made it out of the Twin Towers alive. His talk begins at 6:00 p.m., with a reception opening at 5:00 p.m. and a book signing afterward.

 

Who is Michael Hingson?

 

On September 11, 2001, a blind man escaped the World Trade Center by walking down 78 flights of stairs with his guide dog. Days later, America fell in love with Mike and Roselle and the special bond that helped them both survive one of the country’s darkest days. Following the 9/11 tragedy, Michael was featured on the Larry King show five times. According to King, “Michael Hingson is an international hero honored and awarded by top organizations worldwide.” He now travels the world as a keynote and inspirational speaker who can motivate audiences to action. He has also put his experience in a book called Thunder Dog (DB 73300) which is available from us and downloadable from BARD.

 

What does Michael Hingson Do?

 

After 9/11, Hingson began speaking to audiences about his experience on that day as well as discussing his thoughts on life and dealing with change. He has become a recognized internationally acclaimed public speaker who captivates audiences with his personal and compelling story. He also teaches his listeners new ways of looking at life and their worlds by helping them to visualize from his viewpoint how to live, function, and thrive. He demonstrates through stories and personal examples how anyone can be a leader and become more successful in whatever they attempt to do. First and foremost, Mike personally connects with every audience member by drawing them into his world and showing them how to use their own inner tools more effectively than they ever thought possible. Mike speaks to and has expertise on topics including leadership, teamwork, trust, inclusion, public speaking, disabilities, survival, change and much more.

 

For this speaking engagement, Hingson will do much more than simply tell his own 9/11 story and will discuss the broader lessons of his life and experiences inspiring and motivating audiences with topics such as:

 

▪ Trust & Teamwork

▪ Human-Animal Bond

▪ Inclusion vs. Diversity

▪ Strategies for the Future

▪ Adapting in Challenging Times

 

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is required because seating is limited.

Date:Thursday, October 18, 2018 Time:5:00PM – 7:30PM Campus:South Carolina State Library Location:First Floor

 

Go to the below link to register:

 

https://statelibrary.sc.libcal.com/event/4422232

 

If you are reading this, then you are invited!  Do you like to have fun?  Do you like to eat great food?  Do you like to fellowship and meet new people?  The Columbia chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of SC will have a fellowship get together on Friday August 24, 2018, beginning at 3:00.  This will be held at the Federation Center of the Blind at 119 S Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205.  Each person is asked to bring a covered dish to share with others.  Come out and let’s enjoy each other’s fellowship and get to know each other a little better!  Please contact Tiffiny Mitchell at (803) 603-2098 and let her know what you are bringing!

 

 

 

Great News!  The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina (NFB of SC) now has a public service announcement (PSA)!  If you know of someone who is visually impaired, be sure to tell them about the NFB of SC and direct them to this PSA.  You can also like us on face book at m.facebook.com/NatFedofSouthCarolina

If you are looking for NFB resources outside of South Carolina, you can go to www.nfb.org for contact information for other states.

 

Click on the below link to view the NFB of SC PSA.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LddWwCJNPHI

 

Learn to Live the Life You Want

 

 

Learn from experienced blind instructors techniques and skills of blindness to enhance your quality of life. Become empowered­ remain independent and actively engage in hobbies, work and social activities with confidence.

The Senior Division of the National Federation of the Blind is sponsoring our first Senior Retreat for legally blind seniors with a strong desire to learn nonvisual techniques to enhance and enrich their quality of life.

 

Where: Rocky Bottom, South Carolina This is a beautiful rural setting with great hiking and fishing opportunities.

 

When: October 14-20, 2018

 

Cost: $300.00 per attendee. Please note this is the cost of the training. The nearest airport is Greenville, South Carolina. Transportation from the airport to Rocky Bottom and again, back to the airport will be provided. Participants must make all other transportation arrangements and pay these expenses.

 

Classes Offered:

Cane Travel,

Cooking and Daily Living Skills,

Basic Computer Literacy and Technology Training, Adjustment to Blindness Seminars, Braille and Tactile Labeling Techniques, Problem-Solving Strategies.

 

To Apply: Send an email to

rsager78@gmail.com or call Ruth Sager at 410 602-9030 or write:

7634 Carla Road,

Pikesville, MD 21208 for a paper application.

Submit any questions or comments to the above addresses or phone number. All applications must be received by August 15, 2018. Money is due by September 1, 2018 to:

 

NFB Senior Division

CstO Duncan Larsen

Colorado Center for the Blind,

2233 Shepperd Ave.

Littleton, CO 80120

Please note that all applicants will be interviewed by Board members of the Senior Division upon receiving a completed application.

You will then be notified if you are a successful candidate.

Space is limited so do not delay in applying and filling out your application.

 

 

 

 

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