Winter 2010

Office of Disability Employment Policy Listening Tours
From January through March the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and its federal partners will hold a series of six Listening Sessions across the country. These sessions will provide an opportunity for members of the public to provide input to senior federal officials on their ideas for more effective ways to employ women, Veterans and minorities with disabilities, and what is currently working in their communities to increase employment among people with disabilities. The Mississippi events is  scheduled in Atlanta on February 24 (DOL Region III: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN).  You must be a resident of the appropriate region to speak and/or submit comments. For further information, go to http://www.disability.gov/employment/news_%26_events.
More information is also available at: http://www.disabilitylisteningtour.com/. Registration for the Mississippi Event begins January 24th.  This is a good opportunity to talk about the transition needs of young people with disabilities!!

Fall 2009

The Early Connections Grand Opening
December 14, 2009

	WDAM TV Coverage

Photo Gallery

The Technology Learning Center held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony November 12, 2009.

Check out the photo gallery.

Also check out the story on WLOX Channel 13

Preparedness Guide for Seasonal and Pandemic Flu for People with Disabilities. (PDF)

Preparedness saves lives and lessens chaos, suffering and economic destruction. It is a lifestyle choice that requires commitment, action and a little money.  Being prepared makes sense for everyone – and it IS possible to do.  This is especially true for people with disabilities, who are at greater risk than the general public of death, injury and loss of
independence during a disaster.  Please review the Preparedness Guide for Seasonal and Pandemic Flu for Persons with Disabilities courtesy of the Research and Training Center on Independent Living, The University of Kansas.

“I Can” Public Service Announcement Now Available

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG_W7wAe1kw
This public service announcement was produced specifically for the Campaign for Disability Employment’s What Can YOU Do? campaign. It features seven real people – not actors – with hidden and obvious disabilities, demonstrating what they “can do” on the job when given the opportunity.

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Office of University Communications
NEWS BRIEF

For Immediate Release                                                                                                       
10/26/09
                                                                                                                                               
Media Contact:
Van Arnold 601.266.5568, van.arnold@usm.edu

Pictured from to left right: Anita Guinn, Sam’s marketing team leader; Becky Hurston, Parents as Teachers Coordinator with the Lamar County School District, and Ricky Atkinson, Sam’s Club membership manager.

SAM’s Club Contributes to Early Connections Learning Center

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Lamar County Schools, in conjunction with The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), received a $1,000 donation from Sam’s Club for Early Connections Learning Center, a pre-K early intervention program.

Early Connections, a collaborative effort between Lamar County Schools and IDS, provides intensive development and pre-academic instruction for children six weeks to four years of age and serves as a model pre-K program for school districts across the state.

Research is being conducted on factors that are most predictive of school readiness across a culturally diverse group of young children, including those with disabilities, said program co-director Dr. Jane Siders.

Siders said the Sam’s Club contribution will be used to support literacy activities at the center. For more information about the program call 601-266-5163.

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.

Summer 2009

The Disability Rights Mississippi (formerly Mississippi Protection & Advocacy Services) has announced its 2009 Summer Listening Tour dates for Central and North Mississippi. 

• North Mississippi Poster (PDF)
• Central Mississippi Poster (PDF)

NBC Launches Disability Awareness Campaign
The Office of Disability Employment Office recently collaborated with the producers of NBC's The More You Know public service campaign.  A disability awareness segment of the campaign was developed with Meredith Vieira as the spokeswoman.  You can find the video on the NBC The More You Know website at http://www.themoreyouknow.com/disability-awareness/.

Feb 2009

ANN MACLAINE NAMED INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MISSISSIPPI
PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEM, INC

2009 Stimulus Funding Watch

New Resources Added to the 2009 Stimulus Watch Page on AUCD.org
http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=632
Resources and Links (bottom of page)

• Coalition for Student Achievement to Monitor ARRA Education Funds

Employment

New Employment Opportunities Posted on AUCD.org

http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=158

Positions Available for People with Disabilities

http://www.benderconsult.com/opp/current.html
Bender Consulting Services is a technology-based consulting firm, specializing in creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the information technology, engineering, nursing, finance/accounting, business and various other competitive employment areas in 18 states and the District. Advisors and those interested should submit resumes to resume@benderconsult.com (Resumes are also accepted via fax at 412-787-7178).