Institute for Disability Studies
Meeting the needs of Mississippians with disabilities and their families for 50 years
The Institute for Disability Studies
Our Mission
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.
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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
- places 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.
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In Mississippi, programs authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) empower individuals with
developmental disabilities and their families to help shape policies that impact them. Check out the latest Newsletter.
19 Hancock High students with disabilities launch new book ‘Bright Future!’ 
WLOX Report: Gulfport High students publish book sharing stories of remarkable students 
Check out our Volume 1, Issue 2 Newsletter for the RISE Program. 
WXXV reports on the November 2024 Job Extravaganza in Long Beach, MS serving more than 150 high schoolers with disabilities.
Follow us on social media: Main IDS FB // Special Olympics College // STEP UP to Leadership // STEP UP to Leadership Gulf Coast // RISE To The Top! Southern Miss // Instagram