Institute for Disability Studies
Meeting the needs of Mississippians with disabilities and their families for 50 years
The Institute for Disability Studies
To positively affect the lives of Mississippi citizens with developmental and other
disabilities and their families across the lifespan and to work toward increasing
their independence, productivity, and community inclusion.
The Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) is Mississippi's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). Created by federal legislation in the 1960s, UCEDDs are associated with universities across the United States and its territories and promote independence, productivity and community inclusion for people with disabilities. UCEDDS, like IDS, focus on training, technical assistance, service, research and information-sharing, and uniquely facilitate the flow of disability-related information between community and university.
IDS has provided interdisciplinary education, community services, information dissemination and research to Mississippians with developmental and other disabilities statewide for the past 50 years. Staff work with people with developmental and other disabilities of all ages across the life cycle from early intervention (birth to 3) to elementary/middle school/high school (3-21) to post-secondary education to adulthood.
IDS' work is about enhancing quality of life for Mississippians with disabilities. Through programs and services focused on community living, education and family engagement across the life cycles, IDS
- believes everyone should be included in their communities
- recognizes the importance of advocacy development and promotion
- educates university students through interdisciplinary courses, internship experiences, and service learning
- promotes high-quality early childhood and school-age inclusion services and supports
- placed the family at the center of all services with a focus on parent engagement
- serves as a statewide center for resources and information
- helps youth and young adults reach their potential and find purpose during the transition to adulthood
- assists adults with disabilities in reaching their goals and dreams
- opens doors to creativity, athletic competition and inclusive recreation for people with disabilities and
- consistently strives to implement and improve the core functions of providing preservice preparation, services (including technical assistance, community education, and direct services), research, and information dissemination.
In The News
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DD Network News Spring 2025 Newsletter |
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Check out our Volume 1, Issue 2 Newsletter for the RISE Program. |
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in Long Beach, MS serving more than 150 high schoolers with disabilities. |
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to support and protect the rights and inclusion of Mississippi K-12 students and their families through the Special Education Family Advocacy Network. |
| on the coast where young adults with disabilities were given hands-on look into jobs in community. | |
| , and the University of Southern Mississippi鈥檚 Reaching, Including, Supporting and Educating (RISE) program is making sure they receive the normal college experience. | |
| Congratulations to the Special Olympics (SO) College Southern Miss flag football team and cheerleaders for an amazing . So College Southern Miss played in the championship game that went to overtime and finished 2nd overall. Thanks to the athletes, parents, IDS staff, @Luckyday Scholars Program of Southern Miss, and UNV 110 students with @欧博娱乐城 School of Interdisciplinary Studies & Professional Development for making this season so great! | |
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Join us during the month of October to celebrate NDEAM 2024! |
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欧博娱乐城 Home/News/IDS Holds Summer Academy for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities |
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欧博娱乐城 Initiative Expands Education, Career Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities |