Disability Rights Mississippi

01/19/2026

Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For a glimpse at how Dr. King impacted the disability community, visit tinyurl.com/MLKdisabilityrights.

DRMS offices will be closed today.

01/16/2026

Please note: our office will be closed on Monday.

01/15/2026

Disability Rights Mississippi is hiring a Legal Director to lead our legal advocacy and advance the rights of people with disabilities across the state. This role offers the opportunity to guide impactful litigation, policy, and advocacy work as part of a mission-driven team.

Learn more about the role and how to apply here: http://www.drms.ms/job-openings/job-opening-legal-director

01/13/2026

📢 New Training Announcement 📢
Webinar: Understanding Long COVID as an Emerging Disability: What VR Counselors Need to Know
🗓️January 27, 2026 ~ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CST ~ Microsoft Teams

Long COVID presents new challenges—and new learning opportunities—for vocational rehabilitation counselors. Join the Mississippi State University Career Horizons Project for this timely webinar focused on building foundational knowledge, understanding disability implications, and strengthening communication strategies to better serve individuals navigating the realities of Long COVID.

🔗 Register here: https://careerhorizonsproject.msstate.edu/pages/NewsEvents/EventCalendar/7/

01/12/2026

DRMS joined The League of Women Voters, the Rural Coalition, the Center for Rural Strategies, and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) in filing an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court case Watson v. Republican National Committee.

Together, we urge the Court not to disrupt the states’ ability to determine mail-ballot receipt rules in their own state and depending on the needs of their voters, including voters with disabilities who utilize absentee voting by mail for accessibility purposes.

WASHINGTON, DC — The League of Women Voters, the Rural Coalition/Coalición Rural, the Center for Rural Strategies, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and Disability Rights Mississippi (DRMS), filed an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court case Watson v. Republi...

01/12/2026

The Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities’ mission is to improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families. MSCDD is required by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-402) to develop a 5-Year State Pla...

01/12/2026

Some good news to start off your week: Mattel and The Autistic Self Advocacy Network partnered to launch the first Barbie doll on the spectrum! The Barbie wears sensory-friendly clothing and uses an AAC device. Representation matters!

"It is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and that’s exactly what this doll is," Colin Killick, executive director of ASAN, said in a statement.

01/07/2026

A great opportunity for families in the Hattiesburg area!

The Hattiesburg Zoo hosts Sensory Day on the first Sunday of every month- giving families a consistent, welcoming space to plan for a more peaceful zoo visit.

From 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., guests can enjoy:
🎵 No music throughout the park
🚂 Quiet train rides
🧸 Sensory stations & calming animal encounters
🎧 Sensory bags available in the ticket booth (with headphones, fidgets, cue cards & more)

Our staff is trained and ready to support guests with sensory sensitivities, ensuring every visitor feels comfortable and included. 💛

No extra cost- regular admission applies and annual passes are accepted!

01/07/2026

Sonbeams Night Out
To reserve your spot: RSVP with Daphne Clark @ 601-594-3743 or email: sonbeams@ccs.ms

WHAT: Sonbeams Night Out is a ministry that provides respite care for parents of special needs children (this includes special needs kids as well as their siblings). It is also a fun night out for adults with special needs.

WHEN: Friday, January 09, 20266:30 PM until 9:00 PM

WHERE: Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church (PCA)750 S. Pear Orchard Road, Ridgeland, MS 39157 - Multi-Purpose Building

WHO: The Sonbeams Committee of POPC, and other volunteers,will be responsible for all who enjoy this night out. Medicalpersonnel will also be on hand. .

COST: FREE !!! Doors open at 6:30 PM.

01/06/2026

Today in Disability Rights History: January 6 marks the anniversary of the 1972 exposé on Willowbrook State School, a turning point that exposed the abuse and neglect people with disabilities faced in institutions across the country.

That moment helped lead to the creation of Protection & Advocacy systems—including Disability Rights Mississippi—to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of people with disabilities.

We’ve come a long way, but there is still much work to do. Decades later, people with disabilities still face abuse and neglect, which is why DRMS is here: to investigate, advocate, and act when harm occurs.

After watching this film, please take 2 minutes to complete the following survey so we can understand the impact: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WillowbrookD...

01/05/2026

Today is the last day to submit for the 2026 Mississippi DisAbility Megaconference Call for Presentations!

The program committee for the 2026 Mississippi disAbility MegaConference is soliciting presentations on all topics important to people with disabilities and their families. The committee encourages presentations by people with disabilities. Topics of interest may include: assistive technology, direct services, education, early intervention, employment, housing, health care, mental health, recreation, advocacy, or transportation. Other topics may also be considered. The Mississippi disAbility MegaConference program committee will schedule approximately one-hour presentations at any time on June 17 or 18.

Deadline for the 2026 Mississippi disAbility MegaConference Call for Presentations: January 5, 2026.

Find the application form here: https://tinyurl.com/megapresenter26