Annual Report FY 23-24
Creating Change, Protecting People, and Expanding Equality
1496 people received information and referral services.
153 people received legal assistance.
91 people received short-term assistance.
92 people received self-advocacy assistance.
66 investigations into complaints of serious abuse and neglect were conducted.
137 monitoring visits to institutions and facilities
- Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ): 30 visits
- Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Regional Centers: 16 visits
- Community Residential Care Facilities (CRCF): 71 visits
- Psychiatric Hospitals: 8 visits
- Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF): 8 visits
- Community Training Homes-II (CTH-II): 4 visits
145 reviews of representative payees who serve beneficiaries of SSI and SSDI were conducted, 129 payees were interviewed, and 87 corrective action plan letters were sent.
“Extremely knowledgeable, professional, and very helpful.”
-DRSC CLIENT
Empowering Communities by Expanding Knowledge and Inspiring Action
Some of the trainings offered this year include:
- Co-sponsored with the SC Bar Association a day-long continuing legal education seminar called “Representing Vulnerable Populations.”
- Hosted four DRSC-U sessions—our free online webinar series—on assistive technology, transition, voting, and Medicaid waivers.
- Collaborated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to train law enforcement about the legal rights of people with mental illness and other disabilities. This year, we conducted 34 training courses across the state, reaching 590 law enforcement officers and first responders.
- Conducted clients’ rights training in three residential facilities with 65 participants. Additionally, we developed a new coloring and activity book to educate residents about their rights.
- Launched a webinar series to address concerns and information about appropriate behavioral support and services in the school setting, advocacy skills, and dispute resolution. This was completed in collaboration with the SC Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Services (OSES), Family Connection of South Carolina (our state’s Parent Training and Information Center (PTI)), Family Resource Center, and Able SC
- Collaborated with Able SC and other disability organizations to host 5 Employment and Benefits workshops.
- Created Voting Is My Right educational campaign encouraging people with disabilities to register to vote, explaining accessible voting options, and stressing the importance of their vote.
Paving the Way for Systemic Change
Promoting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance by the Daufuskie Island Public Ferry
In February 2024, Daufuskie Island residents turned to Disability Rights South Carolina (DRSC) for help after Beaufort County contracted with a new public ferry operator whose boats allegedly did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Islanders reported to DRSC that the new operator’s vessels present significant barriers and hazards for passengers with or without disabilities. These conditions have made it difficult for residents to access essential services and supplies on the mainland.
Since first receiving notice of the ferry’s noncompliance with the accessibility requirements of the ADA, DRSC has diligently worked to inform and educate Beaufort County officials about the County’s legal obligations. DRSC hopes to restore safe, accessible, and reliable ferry service to Daufuskie Island residents with the cooperation of the County, thereby avoiding the delays and expenditures of public funds in litigation and improving service for the benefit of all.
Fighting for Equal Access to Communication
DRSC is proud to serve as local counsel in a federal court lawsuit on behalf of a woman who is deaf. The lawsuit alleges violations of the ADA based on the right to effective communication for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. While using a self-checkout lane at a large retail store, our client alleges that she unknowingly missed scanning some items because she could not hear the scanner’s beep. Rather than addressing the issue with understanding, store staff called law enforcement.
The woman was arrested, handcuffed, and jailed, allegedly without being provided any way to explain her situation or advocate for herself.
Recognizing the serious violations of her rights, a lawyer with a national practice advocating on behalf of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals took up her case and enlisted DRSC as local counsel. Together, we are fighting to ensure accountability and to advance accessibility and justice for the deaf community.
Ensuring Access to a Safe, Equitable, and Just Legal System
DRSC continues litigation on issues involving detention centers that do not adequately serve and protect people with disabilities per state and federal laws. We are currently involved in lawsuits in federal court that are about the denial of appropriate mental health care and inhumane conditions in these facilities.
Expanding Home and Community-Based Services through Legislative Change
Through the education efforts of DRSC, lawmakers included an amendment to Senate Bill 915 to advance home and community-based services. The amendment required the state to include Olmstead goals in its health plan, hire a Community Integration Director and ADA Coordinator for oversight, and create an advisory committee with people with disabilities, their families, and disability organizations. Although the bill did not pass in the last legislative session, DRSC remains committed to educating lawmakers about the importance of an Olmstead Plan for South Carolina.
Task Force to End Sub-Minimum Wage
In May 2022, South Carolina’s Governor signed a bill eliminating subminimum wages, making South Carolina the 13th state to pass such legislation. The bill established the South Carolina Task Force on Eliminating the Subminimum Wage to guide this transition. DRSC played a key role as a required member of the Task Force.
The Task Force worked on several critical issues, including:
- Developing and analyzing responses from a provider survey.
- Reviewing data from the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs on the transition.
- Examining information from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department.
- Addressing gaps in information, resources, and support needs.
- DRSC also chaired the Task Force’s Legal Subcommittee, contributing key recommendations for the final report, which is nearing completion.
As of August 1, 2024, South Carolina has fully ended the use of subminimum wage, marking an important step in ensuring that individuals with disabilities seeking employment have equitable access to competitive integrated work.
Strengthening Accountability through Monitoring and Investigations
Investigation Leads to Safer Practices in a Residential Facility
DRSC investigated concerns about the safety and well-being of a resident at a care facility after the individual sustained injuries during transportation in a wheelchair. Information was provided to DRSC by the residential center and the client’s guardian. During the investigation, DRSC confirmed the findings of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, who identified gross neglect as a contributing factor to the incident. In response, the residential facility implemented significant changes to prevent future harm. These included:
- Disciplinary actions for staff involved in the incident.
- Revised procedures for safely loading and unloading residents onto the transportation bus.
- Adjustments to the parking direction and the side of the bus used for loading and unloading.
New Monitoring Visits at Community Training Homes
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) provides Residential Habilitation Services in multiple settings. One of these settings is the Community Training Home-II (CTHII) Model which offers the opportunity to live in a homelike environment in the community under the supervision of qualified and trained staff. Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers (HCBS Waivers) provide most of the services in these homes and Medicaid requires HCBS Waiver money to be spent in community settings. It also requires support/protection of the individual rights/choices of people receiving services in these settings.
Disability Rights South Carolina started visits to CTHIIs in August of 2024, to monitor for conditions and safety, as well as compliance with HCBS Waivers and Medicaid’s definition of community settings. Our primary goal with these visits is to better understand the services available to residents and to see if there is any other support that DRSC can provide related to services, care, or treatment.
During one visit the DRSC advocate was given a tour of the home and spoke with all the residents. DRSC learned one resident of the home works at the county DDSN workshop and the other three residents are employed at a recycling center. The residents spoke about how they spend their time outside of work and what activities they like to do. One resident told the DRSC advocate that he is very interested in comics, and with the support of a staff member, had researched and planned a visit to the Comic Con festival in Columbia.
Election Protection Collaboration: Ensuring Accessible Polling Places
In November 2023, DRSC joined forces with Election Protection to monitor polling places and advocate for more accessible elections. Together, we conducted over 140 surveys across Charleston, Greenville, Richland, Spartanburg, and Berkeley counties. DRSC trained surveyors to find accessibility barriers, enabling them to assess polling places for compliance with key federal laws such as the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (VAEHA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Unfortunately, 37% of polling places in Charleston County and 35% in Greenville County were either inaccessible to voters with disabilities or failed to meet federal standards. Common barriers included inaccessible parking lots and inadequate or missing signage directing voters to accessible entrances.
DRSC sent this data to county election offices, advocating for changes to ensure every voter has an equal opportunity to participate in future elections.
“Y’all provide such an incredible service! Thank you.”
-DRSC Client
Self-Advocacy in Action: Real Stories, Real Change
A Seat for Success- Overcoming Workplace Barriers
A hardworking hotel desk clerk with a form of muscular dystrophy faced an unexpected challenge at work. His condition was making it difficult to stand for extended periods, so he requested one simple accommodation—a chair or stool to use during his shifts. However, the manager denied his request and removed him from the work schedule after he spoke up about his needs.
He reached out to DRSC for help. In response, DRSC provided him with information that clearly outlined the rights of employees with disabilities to receive reasonable accommodations under the ADA. Equipped with this information, he confidently approached the management team of the hotel’s parent company to advocate for himself. His persistence paid off. The parent company took swift action, replacing the offending manager and reinstating the clerk to his work schedule. With his determination and the support of DRSC, he not only regained his job but also made his workplace more inclusive. His story is a powerful example of how self-advocacy can create meaningful change.
Advocating for Future Access and Inclusion
A retired combat veteran and his service dog went out for an evening of food, drinks, and live music with friends in downtown Charleston. However, their plans took an unfortunate turn when the restaurant denied the service dog entry.
Feeling disheartened but determined to make a change, the man turned to DRSC for help. DRSC immediately acted, writing to the restaurant’s management to explain how their actions violated the ADA. Along with the letter, DRSC provided a booklet on the rights and responsibilities surrounding service animals to educate the establishment.
The response was swift and heartfelt. The restaurant issued a formal apology to the man and committed to ensuring this would not happen again. They promised to train all their employees in the proper and lawful treatment of individuals with service animals, taking a crucial step toward inclusivity.
His actions highlight the importance of standing up for accessibility and equal treatment. His advocacy, supported by DRSC, has made this restaurant a more welcoming place for everyone, ensuring individuals with service animals are treated with respect.
“Thank God for having a system like this in place for all who don’t understand and are unaware of rights and responsibilities love y’all.”
-DRSC CLIENT
Financials 2023-2024
