Able South Carolina
Able South Carolina is a federally funded, disability-led Center for Independent Living serving people with disabilities across South Carolina through advocacy, independent living support, peer mentoring, accessibility consulting, and mobility/employment programs from offices in Columbia and Greenville.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersColumbia, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Able South Carolina does
Able South Carolina (Able SC) is a federally funded, disability-led Center for Independent Living (CIL) headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, with a second office in Greenville. Authorized under Title VII, Chapter 1, Part C of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and funded primarily through the Administration for Community Living (ACL) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the organization delivers advocacy, independent living services, peer support and mentoring, youth transition services, information and referrals, and accessibility consulting to people with disabilities across South Carolina. Its service portfolio spans roughly 20 distinct programs including mobility/transportation (V-TRIP, PUP), employment programs, the Community Leadership Academy, Equip, Supported Decision Making, WIPA benefits counseling, emergency preparedness, digital and architectural accessibility assessments, and ADA policy consultation.
The organization operates a community-led go-to-market model: services are delivered at no direct cost to individuals, with demand generated through peer-support networks, community education, advocacy events, and partnerships with healthcare providers, transit authorities (notably The COMET and rideshare partners Uber/Lyft), schools, employers (via Hire Me SC), state agencies (SC DHEC, SC DD Council), and federal partners (Southeast ADA Center, SSA Ticket to Work). Revenue is structurally diversified across federal ACL grants, state and local contracts, FTA-funded transit partnerships, and private grants (e.g., SC Humanities), though the federal CIL designation remains the core funding anchor.
Founded approximately 1992 and led by President and CEO Kimberly Tissot, Able SC maintains 101-250 employees and a multi-decade institutional presence in the South Carolina disability community. Its competitive position is anchored in federal CIL authorization, a disability-led talent pool, and a dense network of regional partnerships; commercial technology is limited, with no proprietary platform, app, or API surface area, and no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. Recent strategic activity has focused on mobility-program expansion, partnerships with the University of South Carolina (NursAbility), and cultural-preservation work (the "People, Not Patients" project with Historic Columbia).
Able South Carolina firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Able South Carolina
- Legal name
- Able South Carolina
- Website
- https://able-sc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Able South Carolina is a federally funded, disability-led Center for Independent Living serving people with disabilities across South Carolina through advocacy, independent living support, peer mentoring, accessibility consulting, and mobility/employment programs from offices in Columbia and Greenville.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Able South Carolina industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Services and Independent Living
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Benefits Counseling & Financial Literacy for Transition-Age Youth (EDAKANAJ), Accessible Transportation & Paratransit Services (EDALAKAH)
Keywords
Where Able South Carolina is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Able South Carolina business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Federal Government Grants: Primary funding through Administration for Community Living (ACL) grants under Title VII, Chapter 1, Part C of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Services are provided at no direct cost to individuals served.
- State and Local Contracts: Partnerships with state agencies including SC DHEC for programs like the SC Disability Vaccine Access Network, and transit authorities for mobility programs.
- Private Donations and Grants: Funding from organizations such as SC Humanities for specific projects like the People, Not Patients historical documentation project.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Core disability services provided free to eligible individuals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Able South Carolina product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Able South Carolina operates as a federally funded, disability-led Center for Independent Living (CIL) that delivers advocacy, independent living support, peer mentoring, youth transition services, assistive technology, accessibility consulting, and mobility/transportation programs to people with disabilities across South Carolina. Services are offered at no direct cost to individuals, funded primarily through Administration for Community Living grants under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Product overview
Able South Carolina is a federally funded, disability-led Center for Independent Living (CIL) that provides a comprehensive suite of services and programs to support people with disabilities in South Carolina. Rather than a single unified product, the organization offers multiple interconnected programs including advocacy services, independent living support, peer mentoring, youth transition services, assistive technology, employment programs, mobility/transportation programs (V-TRIP and PUP), and accessibility consultations. These programs work together to address the various needs of people with disabilities, from daily living support to systemic advocacy, all delivered through a disability-led philosophy emphasizing self-determination and community integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Advocacy Services Advocacy services to promote disability rights, access, and policy change at local, state, and federal levels for people with disabilities.
- Independent Living Services Services supporting individuals with disabilities to live independently in their communities.
- Information and Referrals Resource information and referrals connecting people with disabilities to relevant services and support.
- Peer Support & Mentoring Peer-based support and mentoring programs connecting individuals with disabilities for mutual empowerment.
- Transition to the Community Programs helping individuals transition from institutional settings to community-based living.
- Youth Transition Services Services supporting young people with disabilities in transitioning to adulthood and independence.
- Digital Accessibility Consultations Consultations helping organizations make their digital products and websites accessible to people with disabilities.
- Architectural Accessibility Assessments Assessments evaluating physical spaces for accessibility and recommending modifications.
- Professional Training & Speaking Training programs and speaking engagements on disability rights, accessibility, and inclusion.
- ADA Policy and Procedure Consultation Consultation services helping organizations develop ADA-compliant policies and procedures.
- Assistive Technology Program Programs providing access to assistive technology devices and services for people with disabilities.
- Capable & Ready Program A program preparing individuals with disabilities for employment and independent living.
- Community Leadership Academy Leadership development program for people with disabilities to become advocates and community leaders.
- Employment Programs
Companies that use Able South Carolina
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Able South Carolina technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Able South Carolina partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- The COMET (Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority)coreCollaboration on V-TRIP (Volunteer Transportation Reimbursement) and PUP (Taxi Voucher Pick Up) mobility programs serving people with disabilities and seniors in the Columbia Urbanized Area. Funded by FTA grant.
- UberminorRideshare partner integrated into The COMET's PUP (Pick Up Program) offering 24/7 transportation options with 50% discount up to $50/month for eligible participants.
- Hire Me SCcoreAffiliate program connecting employers with qualified job candidates with disabilities in South Carolina. Part of Able SC's employment programs ecosystem.
- Ticket to Work (SSA)coreSocial Security Administration program helping people with disabilities transition to work without losing benefits. Able SC serves as a WIPA (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance) provider.
- United Way (Multiple Chapters)majorAffiliation with United Way organizations including United Way of South Carolina, United Way Piedmont, and United Way Greenville for community support and funding.
- Southeast ADA CentercoreRegional partner providing information, materials, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act to individuals and organizations.
- South Carolina DD CouncilmajorState council working to promote policies and practices that support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
- Historic ColumbiamajorCollaboration on 'People, Not Patients' project documenting the history of the South Carolina State Hospital (Bull Street). Funded by SC Humanities. Reframes institutional history through disability justice lens.
- University of South CarolinamajorPartnership hosting NursAbility - an accessible, inclusive summer camp empowering future healthcare providers with disability awareness and inclusion training.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Able South Carolina competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SourceAmerica: National AbilityOne-designated nonprofit creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities through federal contracts. Comparable employment-program focus; operates at much larger scale and through a different statutory mechanism.
- National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): Umbrella network for the federally funded Protection & Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Programs. Adjacent rather than directly competitive; comparable advocacy and policy function at the federal coordination layer.
- Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including employment, accessibility, and assistive technology across many states. Broader portfolio and national reach; overlaps with Able SC on employment programs and accessibility but is a multi-service incumbent rather than a CIL.
- Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operating employment, training, and disability-services programs through a large affiliate network. Overlaps with Able SC on employment and training services; operates at vastly larger scale and a more diversified earned-revenue model.
- The Arc of the United States: National disability advocacy and services organization with state/local chapters serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable advocacy and transition-services scope; operates at significantly larger national scale.
Direct peers
- Access Living: Chicago-based Center for Independent Living providing advocacy, independent living services, peer support, and youth transition programming. Directly comparable as a disability-led CIL with similar service mix; differs geographically (Illinois vs. South Carolina).
- Southeast ADA Center: Regional ADA Center providing information, training, and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act across the Southeast. Direct functional overlap with Able SC's ADA consultation, training, and accessibility assessment services.
- Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania: Federally funded CIL delivering independent living, advocacy, peer mentoring, and transition services to people with disabilities. Closely comparable operating model, funding structure (Title VII), and service portfolio.
Regional players
- Disability Rights South Carolina: State Protection & Advocacy (P&A) organization for South Carolinians with disabilities. Operates in the same state and population but focuses on legal protection and abuse investigation rather than direct independent-living service delivery.
- Palmetto Community Action Partnership: South Carolina-based Community Action Agency providing supportive services to low-income residents including those with disabilities. Overlaps on transition, housing navigation, and community-based supports within the same geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Able South Carolina social profiles
Digital presenceAble South Carolina financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Able South Carolina leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Able South Carolina funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Able South Carolina M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Able South Carolina
What does Able South Carolina do?
Able South Carolina operates as a federally funded, disability-led Center for Independent Living (CIL) that delivers advocacy, independent living support, peer mentoring, youth transition services, assistive technology, accessibility consulting, and mobility/transportation programs to people with disabilities across South Carolina. Services are offered at no direct cost to individuals, funded primarily through Administration for Community Living grants under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Is Able South Carolina a public or private company?
Able South Carolina is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Able South Carolina founded?
Able South Carolina was founded in 1992. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Able South Carolina based?
Able South Carolina is headquartered in Columbia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Able South Carolina make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Federal Government Grants are the primary driver. The others are state and Local Contracts and private Donations and Grants.
Who are Able South Carolina's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SourceAmerica, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Easterseals, Goodwill Industries International and The Arc of the United States. Direct peers are Access Living, Southeast ADA Center and Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania. Regional players are Disability Rights South Carolina and Palmetto Community Action Partnership.
Does Able South Carolina have an API?
No public API is recorded for Able South Carolina.
What industry is Able South Carolina in?
Able South Carolina's product category is Disability Services and Independent Living. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech), with a secondary code of BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.