Nominations now open for the 2027 South Carolina Disability Changemakers Awards

Able SC’s NEW statewide awards recognize bold leaders, self-advocates, and dedicated allies dismantling systemic barriers and advancing disability rights; nominations close December 11

Nominations are officially open for the newly developed South Carolina Disability Changemakers Awards, honoring the bold youth and adult leaders, self-advocates, and dedicated allies across South Carolina who perform vital work to dismantle systemic barriers and advance disability rights.

Grounded in the principle that lasting progress is driven by action, the awards spotlight individuals and organizations transforming access and the inclusion of people with disabilities across the state. Honorees represent a wide spectrum of community impact—from young students fostering belonging in their classrooms and disabled adults breaking through institutional obstacles, to the educators, employers, and community partners actively reimagining what equitable access looks like.

Nomination Categories include: 

Youth Awards: Disabled or Nondisabled Allies who are Elementary Age, Junior Age, and Teen Age

Peer Awards: Disabled peers in the categories of Achievable Award (achieving personal goals), Reverend Ceil A. Ivory Award (for a BIPOC– Black, Indigenous, or People of Color– disabled leader), Young Adult Award (disabled leaders 30 and Under)

Ally Awards: Employer Award, Educator Award, and Disability Ally Award

Submitting a nomination is an opportunity to elevate the leadership, resilience, and measurable impact of those building a better future for people with disabilities across South Carolina.

Awardees will be honored at an awards luncheon on February 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Phillips Market Center in West Columbia, S.C. Tickets will be made available for purchase soon. Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Details can be found at able-sc.org/ableawards.

To ensure these essential contributions receive the recognition they deserve, submit all nominations by December 11. Community members can view a complete listing of nomination categories and complete the online submission form at https://www.able-sc.org/ableawards/.

ABOUT ABLE SOUTH CAROLINA
Able SC is a disability-led organization seeking transformational changes in systems, communities, and individuals.  Since 1994, we’ve remained a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability nonprofit that seeks to make South Carolina a national model of equity and inclusion for all people with disabilities. To learn more about Able SC’s programs and services, please visit www.able-sc.org.