Mississippi AER

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.

06/28/2025

🎉

06/28/2025

Deafblind Community of Mississippi, the Mississippi Hearing-Vision Project and MLC's Talking Book Services threw a meaningful birthday celebration for Helen Keller. Andre Jarreau reminded us that Helen started the success of persons who are deafblind - we continue her legacy.

05/31/2025

Who let the braille out? The 2025 Born to Be WILD Friends and Family Picnic at the MS Museum of Natural Science sponsored by the MS Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities www.msccd.org marked the beginning of months of events in anticipation of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October). Many of the large number of people who attended took home bookmarks they brailled themselves.

04/11/2025

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-us-for-mississippis-assistive-technology-conference-registration-1144576171139?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=my-tickets&utm-share-source=my-tickets&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Come and learn more about latest technology and how people with all abilities use supports in their daily lives.

04/04/2025

What an incredible honor it was to be a guest at the opening ceremony for Camp Kamassa—Mississippi’s very first year-round, fully accessible camp for children and adults with disabilities and serious illnesses!

This place is more than just a camp—it’s a dream come true for so many families across the state. From the beautiful grounds to the thoughtful, inclusive design, everything about Camp Kamassa radiates love, accessibility, and belonging. We’re so excited to see the joy, growth, and lifelong memories that will unfold here.

Huge thanks to everyone who worked so hard to bring this vision to life. The future is brighter—and more inclusive—because of you.

Also, special shoutout to camp founder, Mary Kitchens, who shared her birthday with today’s special ceremony!

04/02/2025

APH seeks field evaluators for the Wing It App. Access to an iOS device with an Apple I.D. is required. Wing It is an upcoming tactile drawing iOS application that works in conjunction with the Monarch to create drawings of tactile graphics in real time, with the ability to add braille, shapes, lines and more! Apply by 4/9 at https://bit.ly/3FJjXsE

04/01/2025

What a joy to know Camp Kamassa is opening soooooon! This is Mississippi's first, and only, year-round, handicap accessible camp, specifically designed to meet the needs of extraordinary children and adults living with chronic illness, physical and mental challenges, and other special needs.