Kimberly Tissot

Kimberly Tissot proudly serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Able SC, where she guides the staff in applying independent living philosophy to real situations. Kimberly believes in the value of individualized and community-based empowerment as she wants people to recognize their full potential. Under Kimberly’s leadership, Able SC has experienced years of growth and success and has become a nationally recognized Center for Independent Living. Kimberly’s road to disability rights began at an early age, after having her leg amputated from a rare childhood cancer, Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Kimberly started to decide on her mobility style, becoming the first soccer player with a disability in her town, and speaking up anytime she was treated differently. Kimberly has over 20 years of experience advocating for disability inclusion locally, at state and federal level and internationally!

Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human development from Boston University, Wheelock College of Education, and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. In 2017, Kimberly led the efforts to pass progressive legislation in South Carolina, the “Persons with Disabilities Right to Parent Act,” and in 2018 and 2022, ended subminimum wage in South Carolina. Kimberly mentors other Centers for Independent Living across the nation due to her marked success in the field. She also serves as an executive director mentor to other South Carolina nonprofit organizations via the state’s nonprofit association. In addition to Kimberly’s role at Able SC, she has successfully held multiple state-appointed responsibilities, serves on various state and national committees, and is the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living’s (APRIL) board president. Kimberly was also the mastermind behind several statewide initiatives that have led to major systems change in South Carolina. Those efforts include SC’s first statewide youth transition conference, Advocacy Day for Access and Independence, SC Disability Employment Coalition, and SC Disability Partners in Disasters, to name a few.

Kimberly’s special interests include parenting with a disability, ADA/Civil Rights, engaging in early youth transition, universal design, developing new disability rights leaders, legislative disability rights advocacy, and advancing disability employment and awareness. When Kimberly isn’t at Able SC, she makes precious memories with her husband and son!