UCEDD director Dr. David Rotholz participated in an invitation only meeting at the White House in May 2023.  This event was to discuss innovative ways federal funding can be used to improve the lives of South Carolinians, including those with disabilities. Organized by the Office of Public Engagement the half-day event connected 50 elected officials, community and organization leaders, veterans and clergy from across the state to help build a better South Carolina.  Our UCEDD was one of the two disability focused organizations included in this event.

This interactive meeting was chaired by Mr. Steve Benjamin, advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.  Participants in the meeting also included Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.  The leaders of the SC UCEDD and the Columbia area Center for Independent Living (Able SC) also had a meeting with a senior White House staff member and disability expert from the Office of Public Engagement and a staff member from the Administration on Community Living. They discussed key topics affecting people with disabilities in South Carolina and beyond.