Institute for Disability Studies

09/04/2026

🤝 Real professionals. Real conversations. Real career exploration.

That’s what Career Informational Interviews (CII) are all about!

On September 1, our students had the opportunity to learn firsthand from Aly Smith, Director of Purchasing and Materials at Laurel Mercantile Co. in Laurel, and Jonathan Nelson, Branch Manager at Ferguson Plumbing Company in Gulfport.

By connecting directly with experienced professionals, students can ask the questions that matter to them, learn what careers look like beyond a job description, and begin developing the networking skills and professional connections that help open doors in the future.

Thank you to Aly and Jonathan for being part of that experience and investing a little of your time in Mississippi’s future workforce!

09/04/2026

🎾 Players wanted. Spectators welcome. Let’s fill the courts AND the sidelines!

The Mississippi Rock ’N’ Roll Wheelchair Tennis Championship returns to the Brandon Tennis Complex October 9–11, bringing wheelchair tennis players together for three days of competition.

♿ Interested in competing? Registration is open now!
👉 Register here: https://playtennis.usta.com/Competitions/rockrollwheelchairtennis/Tournaments/events/5DDBB4C5-C686-4312-8318-4A2BAA91CBAD

📣 Everyone else: Come out and fill the sidelines! The tournament is open to the public, so make plans to watch some great tennis, cheer on the athletes, and show your support for wheelchair sports in Mississippi.

09/03/2026

Emilee is back!

Get ready for a brand-new episode of Em's Movie Picks! This September, Emilee is thrilled to share her latest movie selection with you. Don’t miss it—check it out now!

Em's Movie Picks is proudly sponsored by Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor. Catch more episodes on their official YouTube channel: Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe! Tap the bell icon to receive notifications for upcoming episodes.

09/03/2026

⛳ Well… that escalated quickly. 😂💛🖤

We started planning our first SO College golf practice with just a few players signed up.
..then word got around.

Yesterday, FOURTEEN participants showed up at Shadow Ridge ready to give golf a try! 🙌

Many of our players are completely new to the sport, and Shadow Ridge head pro Judd Brewer was instrumental in making their first experience a great one. He worked alongside our players with patience, encouragement, and plenty of hands-on instruction as they learned the basics.

Meanwhile, our Southern Miss student coaches showed up in full force, ready to support their new teammates every step of the way.

From “just a few players” to a group photo this big at practice #1… we think SO College Golf is off to a pretty great start.

09/01/2026

🌟 SEA 2026 is getting a national spotlight!

We’re so excited to see AUCD highlighting the impact of SEA 2026, originally featured in our August IDS E-Newsletter.

Through our partnership with Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS), students with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Mississippi spent their summer clocking in, taking on real responsibilities, learning what kind of work suits them, and showing employers firsthand what they can bring to the workplace. For some, that summer experience led directly to a job offer!

👇 Check out their stories below!

AUCD’s Community Inclusion Team supports the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Network in partnership with the Administration for Community Living.

09/01/2026

🏘 Learning more so we can better support the families we serve.

Members of our Project Recovery Rapid Rehousing team recently joined community partners at the Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center for a City of Hattiesburg Homeless Task Force meeting and drug overdose education training.

For our Project Recovery team, helping families find stable housing is only one part of the work; staying informed about the challenges our clients face and the resources available to help is critical to helping them maintain stability and achieve long-term independence.

We’re always eager for opportunities like this to learn alongside community partners and bring more knowledge back to the families who need it most.

📸 Check out a few photos from the training!

08/30/2026

🚲Who says cycling has to mean pedaling with your feet?

The Invacare Top End XLT Handcycle available through our Project START Lending Library offers another way to experience cycling: using the arms and upper body to power the ride.

With 7 speeds, adjustable seating and positioning, ergonomic hand pedals, and a stable three-wheel design, it can be used for exercise, recreation, cross-training, or simply getting outside and enjoying a beautiful day.

And the best part? There’s no cost to borrow it.

🔗Reserve the handcycle for FREE: https://ids.myturn.com/library/inventory/show/72704

💛Know someone who might love to give handcycling a try? SHARE this post and help us get the word out!

08/28/2026

📣Chit Chat is getting a national spotlight!

Ten years ago, Taylor Carley started with an idea, a camera, and a willingness to try something new. 414 videos later, Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor has become a platform for not only Taylor’s own voice, but for other self-advocates to share theirs, too.

We’re thrilled to see AUCD sharing Taylor’s 10-year journey with the national disability community, originally featured in our August IDS E-Newsletter. 💛

👇Give it a read, then hit SHARE to help us celebrate 10 years of self-advocacy, growth, and a whole lot of Chit Chat!

AUCD’s Community Inclusion Team supports the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Network in partnership with the Administration for Community Living.

08/27/2026

Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor is back! In this episode, Taylor talks to his special guest Madalyn Sullivan, Miss Mississippi Teen! Check it out!

For more information, please check out IDS (Institute for Disability Studies);
on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msusmids/
or check out our main website at: https://www.usm.edu/ids

08/27/2026

Community Volunteer Club got creative this week with a cartooning class led by Christian “CK” Kohlber!

CK walked participants through the basics of cartooning before everyone put their new skills to work drawing some of their favorite cartoon characters.

And one of our favorite parts? Even a few participants who weren’t too sure about joining in at first ended up picking up a pencil and giving it a try.

Art can be so much more than something we create. Creative activities like drawing can offer people with disabilities an accessible way to express themselves, relax, build confidence, practice fine-motor skills, and connect with others. There’s no right answer, no test at the end, and no need for everyone’s finished product to look the same.

📸 Check out some of our favorite pics of the class below!

💡 Have a skill, hobby, or talent you’d like to share with Community Volunteer Club? We love welcoming new faces and introducing our members to new experiences! Send us a message - we’d love to hear what you could teach us.