Institute for Disability Studies

10/21/2026

🎉 Please join us in congratulating Natalie on her promotion to Front Office Manager!

If there's one thing we've learned about Natalie, it's that there's no task she can't tackle! From managing our front office and mentoring SEA interns to organizing donated golf equipment, overseeing inventory, and assisting with billing, Natalie has become one of those people we simply couldn't do without.

Armed with an impressive mastery of Excel, a wonderfully no-nonsense sense of humor, and a willingness to take on just about anything, Natalie consistently goes above and beyond… and makes it look easy!

We're incredibly grateful for the dedication, organization, and personality she brings to IDS every day. This promotion is so well deserved!

👏 Congratulations, Natalie! We're lucky to have you on our team! 💛

10/20/2026

💪 We put our Community Volunteer Club to WORK today… AGAIN!

With our 2nd Annual IDS Charity Golf Tournament just days away, there's plenty to do, and our CVC members were ready to tackle it!

🚚 First up: a real-life game of Tetris! Our volunteers helped load tables, chairs, coolers, prizes, signage, and more into the back of a pickup truck. Let's just say it took some serious teamwork (and creative packing skills) to make everything fit! 😂

🎁 Next up: a CVC fan favorite - the assembly line! This time, our members were busy preparing golfer swag bags, a little thank-you gift for everyone joining us on the course Friday. Each volunteer took charge of adding a different item, while others handled closing, stacking, and getting the finished bags ready for transport to Shadow Ridge.

There's a LOT of behind-the-scenes work that goes into pulling off a great golf tournament, but even the biggest to-do list can be fun when you've got the right crew! 💛

A HUGE thank-you to our CVC members for always being willing to jump in, lend a hand, and help us get the job done!

🏌️ Only a couple of team spots remain! If you've been thinking about joining us, now's the time to get signed up!

10/19/2026

10/16/2026

🌟 Laurel, you were a blast!

Our IDS team had a great time at yesterday's Job Extravaganza in Laurel!

Through interactive activities and hands-on experiences, Job Extravaganzas help students with disabilities explore career options, discover their strengths and interests, and prepare for future employment.

We're grateful for our partnership with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS), which makes these valuable experiences possible.

📸 The pictures tell the story; take a look!

10/15/2026

🎡 Fair fun is for EVERYONE!

Our WINGS students had a blast at the Mississippi State Fair's 2nd Annual Disability Friendly Day!

We could tell you all about it, but we think the pictures do a much better job. 📸

10/13/2026

🏌️ ONE WEEK TO GO! There's still time to join us! ⛳

The countdown is on... Our 2nd Annual Institute for Disability Studies Golf Tournament, presented by Landry Kitchens Germany Architects, P.A., is NEXT FRIDAY, October 23!

Join us at Shadow Ridge Golf Club for a great day of golf, friendly competition, and some incredible prizes!

🏆 Closest-to-the-Pin & Longest Drive Competitions featuring exciting prizes, including a brand-new Scotty Cameron putter and a United States of Swag golf cooler bag!

🎟️ Golf Prize Raffle featuring over a dozen prize bundles packed with rangefinders, golf balls, hats, accessories, and more!

🥇 Top 3 Teams will take home medals, brand-new golf balls, and, of course, bragging rights!

🎁 Player Swag Bags for every golfer! We'll have you ready for the course with custom swag bags stocked with water, snacks, first-aid essentials, koozies, and other goodies.

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
🕗 8 AM Registration | 9 AM Sh***un Start
📍 Shadow Ridge Golf Club | Hattiesburg, MS

It's all for a great cause! Every team helps support programs and opportunities for Mississippians with disabilities and their families.

⏳ Help us fill out these last remaining team slots! Gather your team and register today!

👉 Register here: https://commerce.cashnet.com/usmIDS

10/11/2026

🍂 Fall is the perfect season to slow down, get creative, and get your hands a little messy!

Pottery is more than just a fun, hands-on activity.

For individuals with developmental and other disabilities, working with clay can offer opportunities to:

🍁 Explore different textures and sensory experiences
🍁 Strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
🍁 Practice focus, patience, and creative problem-solving
🍁 Express creativity, build confidence, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment

Ready to give it a spin? Our Project START Lending Library has a pottery wheel available to borrow at no cost!

🔗 Reserve it here: https://ids.myturn.com/library/inventory/show/717267

💛 Know someone who would enjoy getting creative with clay? Share this post!

10/08/2026

🏈 We have a kickoff time! Now let’s talk tailgating! 💛🖤

We're celebrating 50 YEARS of IDS, and you're invited to join us for an afternoon of food, football, and fellowship as Southern Miss takes on Arkansas State!

Whether you're a former IDS staff member, an individual or family who has received services or support from IDS, or a longtime friend of the Institute, we hope you'll come back and celebrate with us! 💙

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
📍 The University of Southern Mississippi – Hattiesburg Campus
🍖 Tailgate & BBQ: 2–5 PM
🏈 Kickoff: 6 PM | Southern Miss vs. Arkansas State

We'll have the BBQ ready and a limited number of folding chairs available, but you're more than welcome to bring your own!

🚗 GAME DAY PARKING: Parking and traffic patterns will be different from regular campus operations. Please review the official Southern Miss game day parking map before heading our way:
https://dxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront.net/sidearm.nextgen.sites/southernmiss.com/images/2026/9/2/2026_GameDayParkingMap-01__3_.jpg

📍 Looking for us? Tailgating spots are first come, first served, so we won't know our exact location until setup. Keep an eye on our page the morning of October 17! We'll share photos of our setup and directions to help you find our tents.

💬 Planning to join us? Drop a comment below and let us know!

💛🖤 50 years of excellence. A future of possibilities. !

10/07/2026

💼Employment preparation starts long before someone fills out a job application.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and while we’re celebrating inclusion in the workplace, it’s also a great time to talk about what happens before that first day on the job.

For youth and young adults with disabilities, thoughtful transition planning can help build the skills, experiences, connections, and confidence needed to prepare for employment and life after high school.

Our IDS experts shared some of their top transition planning tips for families and students - and if you missed them the first time around, now’s the perfect time to take another look. 👀

💛 Know a student, parent, teacher, or transition professional who could use this information? Share this post and help us spread the word!

10/05/2026

IDS is proud to partner with d'Iberville High School and MDRS to serve students through our Transition programs. This was a special day indeed. 💙