Disability Rights Mississippi

10/20/2026

As you make your voting plan for November 3, remember your rights and make sure you have our Voting Hotline number! If you encounter issues to voting privately and independently, or face barriers at your polling place due to your disability, call us at 800-772-4057 from 7AM-7PM on Election Day.

10/19/2026

Jackson area friends, be sure to check out Sonbeams Night Out!

WHAT: Sonbeams Night Out is a ministry that provides respite care for parents of children and adults with disabilities (this includes their siblings).

Reserve your spot: RSVP by Mon, Nov 2nd, with Daphne Clark @ 601-594-3743

WHEN: Friday, November 06, 2026, 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM

WHERE: Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church (PCA)750 S. Pear Orchard Road, Ridgeland, MS 39157, Multi-Purpose Building

WHO: The Sonbeams Committee of POPC, and other volunteers, will be responsible for all who enjoy this night out. Medical personnel will also be on hand.

COST: FREE !!! Come and Join the FUN!!! Doors open at 6:30 PM.

10/19/2026

Recently, a DRMS advocate conducted a rights and PABSS training at a sheltered workshop. After the training, two individuals shared that they wanted to pursue employment in the community.

The advocate helped connect them with Vocational Rehabilitation and worked with the individuals and service providers to support their employment goals. Within a few weeks, both individuals had interviewed for jobs—and both were hired!

This is one example of how DRMS's PABSS program helps Social Security beneficiaries address employment barriers and pursue their employment goals. Employment opportunities matter. So does having the support to reach them.

10/15/2026

So many smiles and lots of fun at Disability Friendly Day at the Mississippi State Fair with Joni and Friends! Every child deserves the chance to play, explore, and simply be a kid. We’re proud to have been part of an event that helps make those experiences more accessible for children with disabilities and their families!

10/15/2026

🦯 October 15 is White Cane Safety Day!

The white cane is more than a mobility tool. It represents independence, confidence, and freedom for individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Each year, White Cane Safety Day reminds us of the importance of recognizing the rights, achievements, and independence of individuals who are blind or have low vision, while encouraging greater awareness of white cane users and their safety in our communities.

At the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS), our Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind (VRB) is proud to support opportunities for greater independence.

💚 Join us tomorrow for TWO opportunities to celebrate!

🦯 Jackson | White Cane Exchange
📅 October 15 | 10:00 a.m.
📍 Addie McBryde Center for the Blind
2550 Peachtree Street, Jackson, MS

Join us for a White Cane Day celebration and cane exchange recognizing the importance of safe, independent mobility.

🦯 Long Beach | White Cane Safety Day Celebration & EMERGE Center Signage Dedication
📅 October 15 | 11:00 a.m.
📍 Long Beach Pavilion
Beach Blvd. E & S. Cleveland Ave., Long Beach, MS

Join us alongside the Mayor of Long Beach for a special dedication, followed by a community walk to the Mississippi EMERGE Center!

Can’t make the walk? Join us at noon at the EMERGE Center, 310 N. Cleveland Avenue, for light refreshments and a brief commemorative ceremony.

Two locations. One mission. Celebrating independence and creating opportunities for all!

10/15/2026

This month, as we gear up for Election Day on November 3, we celebrate our Protection & Advocacy for Voting Accessibility (PAVA) program which was created in 2003. The PAVA program was established as part of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which was signed in October of 2002 (HAVA). HAVA provides funding for accessible voting systems. Under the PAVA program, DRMS ensures that individuals with disabilities participate in the electoral process through voter education, training of poll officials, registration drives, and polling place accessibility surveys.

Know your rights. Use your voice. Go vote!

10/14/2026

What a great turnout we had for our Medicaid Clinic with The Alignment Project! Special thanks to Cindy Brown with Mississippi Division of Medicaid for sharing her expertise.

Missed out on this event? Stay tuned for more clinics to come! Be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up to date: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/tvtV1Vx

10/13/2026

Did you know? Under the ADA, it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against qualified workers with disabilities.

This means you have the right to:
✔️ Equal pay for equal work
✔️ Reasonable accommodations
✔️ Freedom from workplace discrimination

DRMS is here to protect and defend those rights. Call us at 601-968-0600 if you feel your rights have been violated at work due to your disability.

10/12/2026

Please note: DRMS offices are closed today.

10/10/2026

This World Mental Health Day, remember: Mental health challenges are more common than you think and they come in many forms. Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other conditions can affect anyone, at any time. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults (about 59 million people) experienced a diagnosable mental illness in the past year.

There’s no shame in asking for help. Reducing stigma starts with understanding that mental health is just as important as physical health.

At Disability Rights Mississippi, we’re here to help Mississippians with disabilities access the services, accommodations, and supports they need — including mental health resources. If you feel you have encountered barriers or discrimination due to your mental health, contact us at 601-968-0600.