Independent Living Public Forums announced for Persons with Disabilities in South Carolina
Walton Options to host open forums to gain insight into needs within the disabled community
AUGUSTA, GA – Walton Options for Independent Living announced today that they will be hosting a series of open forums in Edgefield, North Augusta and in the South Carolina Low Country in February and March. The forums will allow the disabled community to voice their concerns and issues regarding access to public venues, transportation services, benefits planning, employment services, house and medical services. The first two forums will take place on February 22nd and March 7th in Edgefield and North Augusta respectively.
“It is important for us to conduct these public forums and speak directly with the community of people with disabilities, as we look towards the future of our state,” stated Cyndy Milstead-Anzek, Director of South Carolina at Walton Options. “If we want to continue to make improvements to service and make our state more accessible, we need to hear directly from the people who are faced with barriers.”
As a Center for Independent Living (CIL), Walton Options works closely with the South Carolina State Independent Living Council (SCSILC) to gather information about the disabled community in the state and what challenges it faces. Every three years, the SCSILC creates the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) based on their finding to help guide the state CILs in their efforts to create a more accessible, independent community for all those with disabilities.
The first forum is scheduled for February 22nd at 12:30pm at Mt Zion Baptist Church, Martintown Rd, Edgefield, SC 29824. The second forum is scheduled for March 7th from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Vincent Village, 218 W Five Notch Rd, Apt 2, North Augusta, SC 29841. Accommodations for attendees can be made by contacting Walton Options, preferably with a 7 day notice. Additional Forums in the South Carolina Low Country will take place in March, however dates and specific times have not been selected yet. Our website, www.waltonoptions.org, will post that information as soon as it is available.
For more information or to discuss any accommodations needed to attend, please contact Jozell Dobey at 803-279-9611 or email her at jdobey@waltonoptions.org.