Mississippi AER

09/23/2026

What a Conference! Anthony Ferraro was very uplifting. Cody LaPlante, Jonathan West, Rebecca Mathis, Michele McDonnall and Jamie Boydstun hit the technology realm out of the ballpark... along with Megan Fleming, Billy Loper and Jennifer Fuller. Alicia Wolfe was engaging and fun. Stephanie Welch-Grenier taught in the VI way with hands-on training. Casey Robertson, the 2026 National Braille Challenge Teacher of the Year for Excellence in Braille Instruction taught us a natural order of braille contractions. We learned about independence from all our speakers including Kendra Farrow, Rosie Gibson, Dorothy Young and Kara Hecht. So many quality presentations that knocked our socks off! Our exhibitors were so very relevant and informative: Allied Instructional Services, CMPDD-MAC CENTER, Menus4All, Emerald Coast Vision Aids, ViewPlus, Project START, American Printing House for the Blind, Statewide Federal Credit Union, Aubre Watts, MS Industries For The Blind, MSDB Outreach, MS Instructional Resource Center and AER. The Awards Ceremony was meaningful as we toasted giants in our field.

09/07/2026

Tonight, Sept. 7, at 11:59 p.m. is the 2026 conference registration deadline. Don't miss Anthony Ferraro, Alicia Wolfe, Cody Laplante, Rosie Gibson, and many others discussing a variety of topics that inspire independence for persons who are blind or visually impaired.

08/13/2026

What happens when you bring together the people who teach, support, rehabilitate, advocate for, and live with visual impairment?

That’s MAER. 👏

The 2026 MAER Conference, Foundations of Education and Rehabilitation: Building Independence, is bringing our community together September 17–19 at the Mississippi School for the Blind in Jackson.

This conference isn’t just for one profession.

👩‍🏫 TVIs
🦯 O&M specialists
💻 Assistive technology professionals
👁️ Vision rehabilitation professionals
🎓 Educators and students
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🤝 Individuals who are blind or visually impaired
…and others working to build greater independence.

There’s a place for you at MAER 2026!

📅 September 17–19, 2026
📍 Mississippi School for the Blind
Jackson, Mississippi

💰 Early bird registration ends August 17:
AER Members: $150
Non-AER Members: $175

Special rates are available for several groups, including students, families, individuals and veterans with visual impairments, and other eligible attendees.

Register here:
https://msstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bsjKuZk9bjLCfbg

Tag someone who needs to join us!

2026 MAER Annual Conference Registration

08/10/2026

📢 Registration is OPEN for the 2026 MAER Conference!

Foundations of Education and Rehabilitation: Building Independence

Join us September 17–19 at the Mississippi School for the Blind in Jackson, Mississippi, as professionals, individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and families come together to learn, connect, and strengthen the work we do across education and rehabilitation.

📅 September 17–19, 2026
📍 Mississippi School for the Blind, Jackson, MS

💰 EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION:
AER Members: $150
Non-AER Members: $175

⏰ Early bird pricing ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 17!

Special registration rates are also available for students, families, individuals and veterans with visual impairments, certain professionals, presenters/panelists, and other eligible groups.

Don’t wait. Register today:
https://msstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bsjKuZk9bjLCfbg

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Help us spread the word by sharing this post with someone who should be at MAER 2026!

06/30/2026

🎉 Registration is NOW OPEN for MAER 2026! 🎉

Join us September 17–19, 2026, at the Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Jackson, MS, for the MAER Annual Conference!

This year's theme:
Foundations of Education and Rehabilitation: Building Independence

We're excited to welcome professionals, educators, rehabilitation specialists, students, and advocates for three days of learning, networking, and inspiration. We're also thrilled to welcome Anthony Ferraro as our keynote speaker!

Conference Rates:
• Early Bird AER Members: $150 (deadline, August 17)
• Early Bird Nonmembers: $175 (deadline, August 17)
• AER Members: $165
• Nonmembers: $190

Special registration rates are available for students, individuals who are visually impaired, and families.

Continuing education has been applied for ACVREP, VRCC, Mississippi Educator CEUs, and the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy.

Register today and reserve your spot:
https://msstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bsjKuZk9bjLCfbg

We can't wait to welcome you to Jackson this September!

06/30/2026

Call for Presenters – MAER 2026!

Have an idea, strategy, or success story to share? We'd love to feature you at the MAER 2026 Annual Conference!

September 17–19, 2026
Venue: Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and the Blind | Jackson, MS

Theme: Foundations of Education and Rehabilitation: Building Independence

We're looking for engaging, practical sessions that will inspire and equip professionals serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

🎤 Submit your proposal today:
https://forms.gle/NGPcXta44iE5iLXo6

Know someone who would make a great presenter? Tag them or share this post! Send any questions to [email protected]

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