Mississippi AER

04/27/2026

Project START and the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, are hosting the MS Assistive Technology Conference on September 11, 2026 at The Mill Conference Center in Starkville. Registration is $100 per person. Additional information coming soon.

04/18/2026

Would you like to present at this year's conference?

MAER invites professionals, educators, researchers, and advocates to submit presentation proposals for our upcoming annual conference on September 17-19, 2026.

This year's conference theme, “Foundations of Education and Rehabilitation: Building Independence,” will highlight the essential skills, strategies, and innovations that support individuals who are blind or visually impaired across the lifespan. The conference provides a collaborative space for professionals to share practical knowledge, research, and emerging practices that strengthen education and rehabilitation services.

We welcome proposals from a wide range of disciplines and encourage sessions that support foundational skills, family engagement, advocacy, assistive technology, and innovative approaches that promote independence.

Submit your proposal at the link below and contact us for more information at [email protected].

Please consider sharing your expertise with colleagues and helping us build a strong, engaging conference program. We look forward to reviewing your ideas!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeh4OVHn4eaYVfVtJw4HV4h4M_eUcbBCuYran4g49hcqY78nQ/viewform

04/17/2026

Get ready to unlock your full potential! 🚀 Join us on September 17-19, 2026, as Social Media Influencer Anthony Ferraro inspires us to drive positive change as our conference keynote.

04/17/2026

As the Executive Director of the Mississippi Film Society, I’m thrilled to invite you to a special free screening of "Joybubbles" at the Capri Theatre!

The Story:
Directed by Rachael J. Morrison, this inspiring film follows Joe Engressia—a blind musical prodigy who discovered he could control the global telephone system just by whistling. While he became a pioneer of "phone phreaking," the heart of the story is Joe’s lifelong search for human connection and his mission to listen to those in need of a friend.

Event Details:
When: Tuesday, April 28 @ 7:00 PM
Where: Capri Theatre, Jackson
Cost: FREE
Accessibility: This screening will include an audio description track for our visually impaired guests.
Note on Content: Due to some sensitive themes (discussions of childhood abuse), this film is recommended for high school seniors and adults.

We extend a warm welcome to our local blind community and hope to see you there!
— Ryan Parker, Executive Director

02/16/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GUmnJJcAp/?mibextid=wwXIfr

MSDB Outreach presents: Family Connect Day! Happening this Friday, February 20th.

We are inviting parents and their children who are deaf/hard of hearing or who have a visual loss to the School for the Deaf and the Blind campus for a wonderful hands-on experience about Student's rights. Please take this opportunity to join us and learn how to empower yourself and your son/daughter become advocates when it comes to their rights as a person with disability.

This event is at no cost to you nor your child, but we do ask that you register by the QRcode. If you have any questions, please reach out to us. Of course, please share with others!! Thank you!!

02/12/2026

The University of Kentucky’s Orientation & Mobility Program is accepting applications. The deadline is March 2.

02/10/2026

The time for todays Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind Outreach Department's Virtual Parent Meeting has been changed to 3:00. Please log-in via the QR code shown.
Don't miss this monthly opportunity to meet other parents and to learn from experts in our field. For more information, contact Dr. Brister or Lisa Simon at [email protected] or [email protected].

01/15/2026

The Mississippi Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MAER) will award a $500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior who plans to attend college and who is either legally blind or has a parent who is legally blind. If eligibility is based on parental blindness, the parent must be a legal resident of Mississippi, and the student must reside with that parent.

This Jimmy Cotten scholarship will be awarded based on academic achievement and demonstrated potential for success in college, with consideration given to volunteer service and extracurricular involvement. Applicants may be graduates of any accredited Mississippi high school and may use the scholarship at the college of their choice.

Email [email protected] for application. Deadline for submission is April 24. 2026.

01/06/2026

On January 5th, Starkville Library celebrated World Braille Day with a hands-on braille demonstration. Participants learned how braille works, explored braille materials, and tried reading and writing braille while learning more about accessibility and inclusive literacy. This is our own Laura Phillips in action.

11/10/2025

MARY T KITCHENS

Handworks is a great Jackson market, November 21-22. Camp Kamassa will have a booth and I could use some help telling people about our camp and selling items. Also need some bite size cookies or candies made to give away making people want to buy our cookbook. Anyone available? We’ll work in shifts. Please email me at [email protected] if you can help. Thanks.