Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina 2026 - Sarah Kinney

Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina 2026 - Sarah Kinney Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina 2026
Advocating for stronger accessible parking
Building a more accessible South Carolina
Heading to nationals August 2026

Happy Disability Pride Month! ♿When people hear the word "pride," they sometimes assume it means celebrating disability ...
07/01/2026

Happy Disability Pride Month! ♿

When people hear the word "pride," they sometimes assume it means celebrating disability itself. That's not what Disability Pride Month is about.

Disability Pride is about recognizing that people with disabilities belong. We belong in our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, churches, parks, restaurants, and every other part of our communities. It's about rejecting the idea that disability is something to be hidden or "overcome" before we can live full, meaningful lives.

As someone who has lived with a disability since birth, I know that the biggest obstacles I face usually aren't my wheelchair. They're the barriers around me. A missing curb cut, an inaccessible entrance, a vehicle parked in an accessible space without a permit, attitudes that underestimate what people with disabilities are capable of.

The good new is that those barriers can be removed.

This month, I'll be sharing stories about the people, protests, and landmark moments that shaped the disability rights movement. From the activists who fought for the laws many of us rely on today to the work that still lies ahead, I hope you'll follow along and learn with me.

Accessibility isn't about giving people with disabilities special treatment. It's about making sure everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Happy Disability Pride Month. Let's celebrate how far we've come and keep working toward a world that's accessible for all. 💙

Today I participated in Zoom meetings with South Carolina's Congressional delegation as part of United Spinal Associatio...
06/24/2026

Today I participated in Zoom meetings with South Carolina's Congressional delegation as part of United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill Advocacy Day. Alongside a cohort of disability advocates from across our state, I met with the offices of Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, as well as Representatives Joe Wilson, Sheri Biggs, William Timmons, and James E. Clyburn.

Together, we shared our personal stories and discussed several issues that have a direct impact on the lives of people with disabilities, including protecting and strengthening Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), ensuring continued access to critical medical supplies like catheters and ostomy products, reducing barriers to obtaining lightweight wheelchairs, and speeding up repairs when wheelchairs break down.

These may sound like niche issues, but they affect whether someone can get out of bed in the morning, go to work, attend school, live independently, or participate in their community. For many people with disabilities, a delayed wheelchair repair, loss of in-home supports, or disruption in access to medical supplies can have life-changing consequences.

One of the most rewarding parts of the day was getting to know my fellow South Carolina advocates. Each person brought a unique perspective and lived experience, and together we demonstrated the power of grassroots advocacy. Lawmakers and their staff can read statistics and policy briefs, but there is no substitute for hearing directly from the people affected by these decisions.

I was especially encouraged by the level of engagement from several congressional offices and by the interest expressed in potentially co-sponsoring disability-related legislation already being considered in Congress. Those conversations are a reminder that advocacy works, and that building relationships with elected officials matters.

Real change happens when people show up, tell their stories, and stay involved. I'm grateful to United Spinal for organizing this opportunity and proud to have represented South Carolina alongside such an incredible group of advocates.

Most people have never heard of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, but it has shaped nearly every aspect of my life....
06/23/2026

Most people have never heard of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, but it has shaped nearly every aspect of my life.

Olmstead affirmed that people with disabilities have the right to receive services in the most integrated setting possible, not be forced into institutions simply because they need support. Because of policies built on that principle, millions of disabled Americans have been able to live in their own homes, work, raise families, attend school, and participate in their communities.

Last week, the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion that many disability advocates believe could weaken federal enforcement of those protections.

As someone who has lived my entire life with a disability, this isn't an abstract legal debate. It's about whether people with disabilities are seen as full members of their communities. It's about whether we have the support we need to live independently, hold jobs, contribute to society, and make our own choices about where and how we live.

The ability for me to live in my own home with my husband, work full-time, travel, advocate, and serve as Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina reflects the kind of community life Olmstead was intended to protect.

If the federal government steps back from enforcing Olmstead, the consequences could be significant. States may face less pressure to invest in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), which help people with disabilities remain in their homes rather than enter nursing facilities or other institutions. Waiting lists for services could continue to grow. Community supports could become harder to access. Progress toward accessible housing, transportation, employment, and independent living could slow or even reverse.

For people like me, this isn't about politics. It's about preserving the expectation that disability should not mean segregation. It is about ensuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunity as everyone else to build a life in their communities.

Disability is the one minority group anyone can join at any time through aging, illness, injury, or accident. This issue affects far more people than most realize.

If you'd like to help, take five minutes to learn about the Olmstead decision and why disability advocates are concerned about this memo. Then contact your elected officials and let them know you support policies that expand community living options and protect Home and Community-Based Services. Even a short email or phone call can make a difference.

The rights and freedoms that people with disabilities enjoy today didn't happen by accident. They were fought for, and they must continue to be protected

The federal government has announced new requirements for annual hands-on training for airline employees who assist pass...
06/19/2026

The federal government has announced new requirements for annual hands-on training for airline employees who assist passengers with disabilities and handle wheelchairs.

If you're not a wheelchair user, that might not sound like a big deal. Trust me, it is.

A few years ago, I flew home from Boston only to discover that my wheelchair had been damaged during the flight. One of my wheels was damaged badly enough that I spent the next four weeks holding my push rim together with, first, baggage tags, and then zip ties while the airline processed my claim and worked with my DME provider to order replacement wheels.

Another time, I was being transferred off the plane in an aisle chair when an employee tipped the chair over because she couldn't figure out how to turn it correctly. Being strapped into a chair while someone loses control of it is a pretty terrifying experience.

For wheelchair users, these stories are far too common.

My wheelchair isn't a piece of luggage. It's how I get to work, travel, advocate, spend time with friends, and live my life. When it's damaged, or when transfers aren't done safely, the consequences don't end when the flight does.

I love to travel, and I don't think wheelchair users should have to accept damaged equipment or unsafe handling as part of the price of seeing the world.

This new rule won't solve every problem overnight, but it's a step in the right direction. Here's hoping it leads to better training, better accountability, and fewer stories like mine.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2026/06/18/airline-accessibility-wheelchair-training-rule/90595823007/

What a fun morning on The Mix WRDW! A huge thank you to Cliff and Mary for having me on to talk about my role as Ms. Whe...
06/18/2026

What a fun morning on The Mix WRDW! A huge thank you to Cliff and Mary for having me on to talk about my role as Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina and the importance of protecting accessible parking.

One of the best parts of the day was getting to bring my sister Meghan, and my niece and nephew, Wynnie and Forest, along for the adventure. They got a behind-the-scenes look at a real news studio and a chance to see what their Auntie Sarah has been up to these last few months. It made the experience even more special to share it with them.

If you missed it live, you can watch the segment here: https://www.wrdw.com/video/2026/06/18/promoting-disability-awareness/

Thanks again to the team for the opportunity to spread the message that access matters!

One of the most powerful things I've ever heard is this:Disability is the only minority group that anyone can join at an...
06/08/2026

One of the most powerful things I've ever heard is this:

Disability is the only minority group that anyone can join at any time.

Through aging, illness, or injury.

Disability doesn't discriminate by age, income, race, political party, or background.

In fact, more than one million South Carolinians currently live with a disability. And for many others, disability is simply one diagnosis, accident, or life event away.

That's why accessibility matters to everyone.

Too often, accessibility is viewed as something that benefits "other people." But the truth is that accessible communities benefit all of us, whether we realize it or not.

The curb cut that helps a wheelchair user also helps a parent pushing a stroller.

The accessible parking space that serves someone with a mobility disability today may one day serve a veteran, a cancer patient, a grandparent, or even you.

And that's one of the reasons I love visiting schools and talking with young people about disability.

If disability is a natural part of the human experience, then accessibility should be a natural part of how we design our communities.

The children I'm speaking to today will become tomorrow's teachers, architects, business owners, engineers, healthcare providers, elected officials, and neighbors. The more they grow up understanding disability, the more likely they are to create a world where accessibility isn't an afterthought.

A world where a wheelchair, a service dog, a communication device, or a parking placard isn't viewed as unusual.

A world where access tools are as normal and expected as eyeglasses, elevators, and automatic doors.

That's the future I hope we're building.

As Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina, I advocate for accessibility because access isn't just about meeting today's needs. It's about creating communities where every person can continue to participate, contribute, and belong, no matter what life brings.

Because disability is a natural part of life.

👉 Let's talk: What's one thing you wish you had learned about disability when you were a child?

I squeezed in one more elementary school visit before the kids skedaddled off for summer break, this time at Horse Creek...
06/03/2026

I squeezed in one more elementary school visit before the kids skedaddled off for summer break, this time at Horse Creek Academy!

The students were incredibly engaged and asked some awesome questions. We talked about all the ways each of us is unique and different, and then we had some fun debunking myths about people with disabilities. Can people with disabilities drive? Play sports? Travel? The students caught on to the pattern pretty quickly and were eager to point out that disability doesn’t mean inability.

One of my favorite parts of these visits is watching kids realize that differences aren’t something to be afraid of. They’re just part of what makes each of us who we are.

A special thank you to Ms. Shannon Morris Green for inviting me into her classroom and helping make this visit possible. It was a joy to spend time with her students!

Do you have a group you’d like me to visit? Kids, veterans, seniors, civic organizations, church groups, and more, I can tailor an interactive presentation to fit your audience. I’d love the opportunity to share my story, answer questions, and help build a more inclusive community, one conversation at a time.

06/02/2026

Congratulations Sarah, Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina 2026! We are so excited to have you as part of our organization! We look forward to learning more about you and meeting you in August!

Image Description: A woman in a wheelchair, wearing a crown and sash reading "Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina," sits in a stylish indoor space adorned with decorative plants. She has shoulder-length brown hair and is dressed in a sleeveless black top and pants. The background features elegant architecture and an ornate staircase. Text accompanying the image outlines her platform dedicated to advocating for accessible parking and supporting individuals with disabilities.

This week, I want to talk about something that most people have never heard of, but that thousands of South Carolinians ...
06/01/2026

This week, I want to talk about something that most people have never heard of, but that thousands of South Carolinians with disabilities depend on every day: Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).

HCBS are the supports that help people with disabilities live in their homes and communities instead of institutions. They can include personal care attendants, transportation assistance, employment supports, respite care, and other services that make independent living possible.

Today, more than 41,000 South Carolinians are on waiting lists for HCBS services, while more than 45,000 people remain in institutional settings.

And the need is only growing. South Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services has requested an additional $47 million to sustain HCBS services, while advocates warn that proposed funding cuts could threaten the very supports that allow people with disabilities to live independently.

Community-based services aren't just better for independence. They're also less expensive.

In South Carolina, nursing home care now exceeds $110,000 per year, while HCBS services average around $45,000 per year.

We know people overwhelmingly want to live in their own homes, remain connected to their families, and participate in their communities. We know community-based services cost less than institutional care. Yet tens of thousands of people are still waiting for the supports that would allow them to do exactly that.

For many people with disabilities, HCBS are the difference between living independently and being institutionalized, working and being unable to work, an participating in the community and being isolated from it.

I believe access is about more than ramps and parking spaces. It's about ensuring people with disabilities have the supports they need to live, work, and thrive in their communities.

👉 Let's talk: Before today, had you ever heard of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)?

05/28/2026

Accessible travel is about more than vacations. It’s about freedom, dignity, and the ability to fully experience the world. For millions of people with disabilities, barriers in transportation, hotels, attractions, and public spaces can turn something as simple as a trip into an exhausting challenge. Advocates like Curb Free with Cory Lee are helping shine a light on why accessibility matters and proving that disabled travelers belong everywhere adventures happen. When we prioritize accessibility, we create a world that is more welcoming, inclusive, and usable for everyone.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1E88xExC7r/

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1200 Toolebeck Rd
Aiken, SC
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