Mississippi AER

02/16/2026

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MSDB Outreach presents: Family Connect Day! Happening this Friday, February 20th.

We are inviting parents and their children who are deaf/hard of hearing or who have a visual loss to the School for the Deaf and the Blind campus for a wonderful hands-on experience about Student's rights. Please take this opportunity to join us and learn how to empower yourself and your son/daughter become advocates when it comes to their rights as a person with disability.

This event is at no cost to you nor your child, but we do ask that you register by the QRcode. If you have any questions, please reach out to us. Of course, please share with others!! Thank you!!

02/12/2026

The University of Kentucky’s Orientation & Mobility Program is accepting applications. The deadline is March 2.

02/10/2026

The time for todays Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind Outreach Department's Virtual Parent Meeting has been changed to 3:00. Please log-in via the QR code shown.
Don't miss this monthly opportunity to meet other parents and to learn from experts in our field. For more information, contact Dr. Brister or Lisa Simon at tara.brister@msdbk12.org or lisa.simon@msdbk12.org.

01/15/2026

The Mississippi Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MAER) will award a $500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior who plans to attend college and who is either legally blind or has a parent who is legally blind. If eligibility is based on parental blindness, the parent must be a legal resident of Mississippi, and the student must reside with that parent.

This Jimmy Cotten scholarship will be awarded based on academic achievement and demonstrated potential for success in college, with consideration given to volunteer service and extracurricular involvement. Applicants may be graduates of any accredited Mississippi high school and may use the scholarship at the college of their choice.

Email awards@mississippiaer.org for application. Deadline for submission is April 24. 2026.

01/06/2026

On January 5th, Starkville Library celebrated World Braille Day with a hands-on braille demonstration. Participants learned how braille works, explored braille materials, and tried reading and writing braille while learning more about accessibility and inclusive literacy. This is our own Laura Phillips in action.

11/10/2025

MARY T KITCHENS

Handworks is a great Jackson market, November 21-22. Camp Kamassa will have a booth and I could use some help telling people about our camp and selling items. Also need some bite size cookies or candies made to give away making people want to buy our cookbook. Anyone available? We’ll work in shifts. Please email me at mkitchens@mtkfound.com if you can help. Thanks.

09/22/2025

The programs and exhibitors are fantastic, but the real highlights are the networking and food!

09/22/2025

What a conference!
Get ready—September 17–19, 2026, MAER will host a lively, engaging influencer who’s blind.

08/17/2025

Have you registered yet? Join us this year for the 2025 MAER Annual (In-Person) Conference on September 19-20 at the Mississippi Library Commission in Jackson, MS! We will celebrate Freedom to Thrive in an Ever-Changing World.

Current Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind & Visually Impaired Member Rate: $100 (Early Bird, before August 25) or $115 (regular rate). Non-members $125 (Early Bird, before August 25) or $140 (regular rate). Special rates for students, individuals who are visually impaired, and families. Continuing education applied for ACVREP, VRCC, MS Educators, and MS Board of Licensure for OT.

Register Here: https://msstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_emQPXCnByXTbEKa

Reach out if you have any questions to programs@mississippiaer.org

08/01/2025

Who. Will. You. Nominate. For. A. 2025. MAER. Award?

These awards recognize outstanding individuals who exemplify excellence, leadership, and dedication in our community. We invite you to nominate colleagues who have made a meaningful impact.

Submit your nomination here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0ATEqzOKFKuzl_QDLXamqUFXlA_zWR-oE3Lsy2F93sS0rAw/viewform

Nomination Deadline: August 15, 2025

Award Recipients will be recognized at the MAER Annual Conference, taking place on September 19–20, 2025 in Jackson, MS at the Mississippi Library Commission.

Awards & Criteria
You may nominate one person for one award per submission. If you have multiple nominations, please fill out a separate form for each. Brief summaries of why each nominee deserves the award are required. Eligibility criteria for each award are outlined in the form.

Thank you for helping identify and celebrate excellence within our community, and we look forward to receiving your nominations! If you have any questions, feel free to contact awards@mississippiaer.org.

Use this form to nominate one person for one award. To submit nominations for multiple awards or individuals, please submit a separate form for each. Each nomination must include a brief summary explaining why the nominee deserves the award. Eligibility for each of the MAER Awards is defined as foll...

07/24/2025

🎭 Exciting News!
A valued partner of MAER, Open Doors Theatre, has a production happening this weekend! Don’t miss the opportunity to support inclusive, impactful theatre.

Owner and director Mackenzie Charles visited Studio 3 with several cast members of their new show, “Peter Pan.” The show runs June 24-27.