News

9/19/2022

Celebrating 25 Years of Va-LEND and Beyond

By Jennifer Drummond

A Chinese proverb states that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and the second best time is now. The Va-LEND (Virginia Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) program was established over 25 years ago and is planting new seeds for the next generation of maternal and child health leaders. It all began with recognizing an opportunity.

9/19/2022

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2022

By: Jerry R. Alliston

Throughout the month of October, The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) is hosting a series of activities in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). National Disability Employment Awareness Month is part of an annual awareness campaign designed to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's national theme is "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation." Each year, IDS receives permission from the Department of Labor to adapt the national poster into a Mississippi focused one featuring youth and young adults with disabilities.

9/19/2022

Dr. Bates Attend Year 2 of Leadership and Economic Development Program

Dr. DeMetra Bates, Executive Housing Director, The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), has recently completed the Year 2 of the 36th annual Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas on August 5, 2022. Dr. Demetra Bates was selected as a scholarship recipient for the Community Development Institute for the second consecutive year in June 2022.