County-wide coalition seeks to share disability advocacy efforts

By Channing Heiss CONTRIBUTOR

Finding disability-related resources can be a journey not unlike trying to machete one’s way through a jungle, trudging through red tape, confusion, irrelevant web references, and dead ends.

Even with the availability of the internet and the existence of numerous public and private organizations, some of the best information on current resources can elude even the most dogged researcher.

A major issue has been that many organizations in this area have been doing important work for years while often having little if any knowledge of one another’s activities. As a result, opportunities for collaboration, innovation and coordinated advocacy were lost.

In 2013, a group of local advocates sought to change all of that, and the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition (BCDC) was born. David Green approached colleagues on the Human Services Commission and proposed creating the coalition to share ideas, provide mutual support, strengthen advocacy power, and avoid duplication

ADVOCACY from page 32A of efforts.

Green is the director of business development at coalition member Osprey Village, a nonprofit whose major goal is to create an inclusive residential neighborhood accommodating adults with developmental disabilities.

In addition to its advocacy work, the disAbilities Coalition serves as a clearinghouse for information provided by its members and their networks on resources, events and innovations focused on empowering people with disabilities. Coalition chair Kimberly Thorn emphasizes the importance of collaboration to maximize community inclusion of people with disabilities.

“Our goal as the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition is to enhance the lives of persons with exceptionalities, not only in Beaufort County but across the Lowcountry region,” she said. “By working together to provide, improve and expand needed services, support, resources and opportunities for those with any disability, we will then produce a more inclusive and accessible environment for all ages and abilities in the Lowcountry.”

Thorn said the coalition “is one of many groups and organizations working together to make Beaufort County a great place to live, work, and relax for everyone in our community, including people with disabilities.”

Coalition members collaborate regularly in many ways and across many aspects of living with disabilities. They frequently get ideas and referrals from one another. One member might be asking about assistive technology and another about employment issues.

In 2021, in its continuing effort to make information more accessible and to promote cooperation among advocates, the disAbilities Coalition published the first edition of its resource directory. Funded by coalition members, the directory includes information on public and private sector resources focused on needs such as employment, housing and recreation, among many others. It is available in digital and hard copy. An updated edition will likely be released by the fall.

The directory is part of an ongoing effort by the organization to better understand and respond to the concerns of people with disabilities.

In 2016, the BCDC worked with Dr. John Salazar of USCB to conduct a survey as a way of determining how many people needed disability-related resources, what was already being used, and what further resources were needed. Among the needs most frequently cited were transportation and inclusive, accessible housing.

Behind the necessary numbers and statistics that the coalition is working to bring to the attention of business and government leaders are real individuals who want the things everyone wants. Paul Green, a local advocate and service consumer with autism who has been involved with several coalition organizations, wants to be able to move out of his parents’ house and to gain more independence as a 40-year-old man.

“I want to go live somewhere else,” he said. “I’m looking forward to living with the guys at Osprey Village.” Green is the son of David Green.

Recent coalition events have included a trip to the State House in March to participate in the annual Disability Advocacy Day and a resource fair in April that gave people with disabilities and many of their families a chance to meet with service providers and representatives from some local businesses.

These events are part of an overall campaign to develop and expand relationships with business, government, and the wider community. The BCDC currently has 30 member organizations, and anyone with an interest in the empowerment of people with disabilities is welcome.

For more information on the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition, visit at disabilitiescoalition.org.

Channing Heiss is a freelance writer and a member of the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition.

Books! Books! Books!

Second graders at Okatie Elementary School display books donated to them by the Sisterhood of Temple Oseh Shalom, based in Bluffton. The books were given to the children to take home for summer reading. Second graders at Hardeeville, May River and Red Cedar elementary schools also received books from the Sisterhood.

& spraying fountain. Kitchen w/double ovens & newer appliances, plus Breakfast area. Formal Dining area provides a larger space for holiday gatherings etc. Laundry Room w/white cabinets, sink & W & D. Oversized Garage w/space for 2 cars plus a golf cart. All windows replaced w/ storm windows. See list of extra upgrades. $10,000. decor. allowance! Recent New Flooring.

7 SOUTHERN RED ROAD, BLUFFTON | $550,000

Wonderful lagoon views, from the moment you see the full brick paver driveway, this lilac model is sure to impress. Gracious entry leads to expansive great room w/ gas fireplace & dining area large enough to host family & friends. Spacious kitchen boasts SS appliances, double/ convection oven, new gas cooktop, stone counters, tile backsplash, large island w/ pull-out shelves & sunny breakfast nook. Sunroom space has sliders to patio w/ pergola & gorgeous lagoon views. Generous primary suite w/ oak floors, 2 huge walk-in closets & nicely appointed bath. Den/3rd Bedroom w/ oak floors & French doors. Crown molding & custom plantation shutters throughout. Oversized Garage. New roof 2019.

SUN CITY & RIVERBEND SPECIALIST

• The inaugural Community Pride 5K will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 10, at Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary St. in Old Town Bluffton.

Following the race, families can enjoy food trucks, bounce houses, and the nearby shrimp boat park for picnics.

Prizes will be awarded for overall winners and top three in each age division along with Top Dog awards. First place overall will be awarded in the categories of man, woman and non-binary. Prizes will be given also for most colorful and most creative.

To register, visit runsignup.com and search Lowcountry Community Pride. Registration fee is $35.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Lowcountry Pride, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

• Palmetto Quilt Guild is now meeting at Island Lutheran Church, 4400 Main St. on Hilton Head Island.

The next meeting is June 15, with social

Noteworthy

hour at noon and the meeting at 1 p.m.

Rhonda Pierce of Schmitz Needles will be the speaker on the topic of needles – what size, which kind for what project, and when to change them.

For more information, email palmettoquiltguild@gmail.com

• The Bluffton Library continues to offer many opportunities for summer reading learning and fun.

A Family Sing-Along with the Sun City Ukulele Band will be held from 2 to 2:45 p.m. June 15. Then on June 16, from 2 to 2:45 p.m., Yasu Ishida will dazzle kids of all ages with a Japanese Magical Journey. Be prepared to be amazed by an exciting storytelling show that incorporates Japanese folktales with origami, Japanese music, and magic tricks!

On June 21, from 10 to 11 a.m., David Arnal, president of the Beaufort-Jasper Beekeepers Association, will present “BuzzWorthy! Why Bees are Important to the

Environment and to Us.”

From 10 a.m. to noon June 24, retired African-American Studies Professor Meldon Hollis Jr. will present “African Presence in Colonial Lowcountry,” a Beaufort District Collection/Bluffton Library Program. Register for this event at 843-255-6503.

The Bluffton Library is located at 120 Palmetto Way in Bluffton Village. For more information, visit beaufortcountylibrary.org.

• The second Black Food Truck Friday Festival will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. June 16 at Buckwalter Commerce Park, 25 Buckwalter Place Blvd. in Bluffton.

In addition to the food trucks, live music will be provided for the family fun night. Admission is free.

The event is hosted by the Bluffton MLK Observance Committee. For more information, email blufftonmlk@yahoo.com.

• The Town of Bluffton will host its Jump Into Summer fun day from 10 am to 1 p.m.

June 17 at Oscar Frazier Park. Among the fun activities are bounce houses, water slides, and video games on the Jumbotron TV. A DJ will be playing music, and concession stands will be open. The event is free and open to all ages.

• The eighth annual Juneteenth Festival will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. June 17 at Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road in Bluffton.

Festivities will include a drum circle, live entertainment by CJ the DJ, various food trucks and other vendors, as well as artisans and crafters.

Admission is free for all ages.

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