MISSISSIPPI SOCIETY FOR DISABILITIES INCORPORATED

THE MISSISSIPPI SOCIETY FOR DISABILITIES IS A 62-YEAR-OLD 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION. CHARTERED IN 1959 AS THE EASTER SEALS MISSISSIPPI, THE ORGANIZATION OPERATED UNDER THAT NAME UNTIL AUGUST OF 2000, DURING WHICH TIME THE BOARD OF THE DIRECTORS MADE THE DECISION TO SEPARATE THE ORGANIZATION FROM THE NATIONAL EASTER SEALS AND RE-ESTABLISHED IT AS AN INDEPENDENT NON-PROFIT AND CHANGED ITS NAME TO THE MISSISSIPPI SOCIETY FOR DISABILITIES (MSD). SUCH CHANGE SERVES TO DIRECT ALL FUNDRAISING DOLLARS ON SERVICE TO MISSISSIPPIANS' RATHER THAN THE INCREASINGLY HIGH PERCENTAGES OF SUCH DOLLARS BEING SENT TO NATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT COME WITH NATIONAL AFFILIATIONS.MSD'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A BROAD SPECTRUM OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF MISSISSIPPI'S CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES THUS ENABLING THEM TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE AND GAIN THE GREATEST POSSIBLE QUALITY OF LIFE.MSD HAS TWO CURRENT PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THE MISSION.(1) DISCOVER WELLNESS PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILY AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED EVENTS PROMOTING INCLUSIVE PLAY AND UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITY LEVELS. YEARLY ADDITIONS TO PARKS STATEWIDE CONTINUE THE MISSION OF BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS THAT WOULD LIMIT A CHILD TO PLAY IN THE SAME MANNER AS ABLE-BODIED CHILDREN. THIS ALSO PROVIDES A HEALTHY OUTLET FOR DISABLED YOUTH AND ADULTS OF ALL AGES THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN VARIOUS SPORTS AND CREATIVITY PROGRAMS. (2) CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES ADVOCACY SERVICES FOR CLIENT AND CLIENT APPLICANTS OF THE OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION FOR THE BLIND AND INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAMS OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES.