Blind - Visual Impairment

The Mississippi Library Commission serves as a free public library service for eligible Mississippi residents who are unable to read standard print due to a visual, physical or organic reading disability and for institutions which serve these eligible individuals (schools, hospitals, living facilities, etc).

Our Mission: Enhance employment and independent living outcomes for individuals who are blind or visually impaired through research, training, education, and dissemination.

Statewide program through the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. The coordinator's office is in Starkville. The OIB program assists older adults to age in place by improving their quality of life through instruction in adaptive techniques, resources and supportive services.

Designed to provide the blind/visually impaired community of South Mississippi with the means to achieve their goals.

Family First Braille is Dedicated to Breaking Barriers to Community Integration for People with Visual Impairments and Their Families.

Mississippi Council of the Blind elevates the social, economic, and cultural levels of people who are blind and visually impaired, in cooperation with other programs of private and public agencies and organizations serving the blind and visually impaired.

The Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center is a comprehensive personal adjustment center for adults who are blind, visually impaired or deaf-blind. Through a program of training offered to both residential and day clients, individuals participate in classes learning skills which enable them to successfully live and work independently. Established in 1972, the center is Located in Jackson on the campus of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The facility has a dormitory capacity for 28 clients, a gymnasium, a client library and classrooms equipped with specialized technology for the blind and visually impaired. Certified instructors individualize training to meet a client’s needs during the class day from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Clients participate in additional activities in the Achieving Milestones Class focusing on adjustment to vision loss, confidence building, resume writing, interviewing and utilizing resources in the community.

"We are all here to learn with our peers. Let us celebrate our similarities and our differences. Let us respect other cultures, religions, and languages. At our beginning, many were given little chance but due to the people in our lives, we find ourselves in a wonderful place with wonderful people. Let us flourish in our learning, find joy in our experiences and remember our friends and knowledge we gained at Space Camp." -- Dan Oates

Mississippi Hearing-Vision Project is a federally funded project to provide technical assistance to individuals between the ages of birth and 21 years. Whether it is in the home, school, or agency setting, our staff can provide assistance and training to help make a better quality of life.

The SKI*HI Early Intervention Program at the Mississippi School for the Deaf provides early intervention services on a statewide basis to families of deaf and hard of hearing children ages birth to 4 years. Services are usually provided in the home during weekly home visits by a staff of parent advisors who have received training in the use of the SKI*HI Early Intervention Model for delivery of services.

First Steps EIP is a program that matches the unique needs of infants and toddlers who have developmental delays, or a birth condition that could cause a developmental delay, with Early Intervention services and resources within the community.If you have a child that is under three years old, First Steps may provide developmental services and other resources to help your child meet his or her maximum potential. Services provided include (but are not limited to): screenings, evaluations and assessments, Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs), Early Intervention services, and transition plans to preschool services under Part B of IDEA, or other programs.

The MIRC is also appropriated funds by the state legislature to provide services to partially-sighted students whose best corrected vision is no better than 20/70 or whose doctor requests large print textbooks.

The Preemie Parent Alliance is a network of NICU family support groups. We are individuals with different ideas, philosophies, personalities. We come together as an alliance to support one another, develop networks, and build relationships. Our goal is to make our member’s programs stronger and more effective, empowering them to strengthen their ability to serve NICU parents.

The Mississippi Lions Eye bank was founded in 1971 with its primary objective being the recovery of corneal tissue for transplantation and/or research. MLEB is funded in part by the Lions Sight Foundation of Mississippi, the major fund raising arm of the Lions Clubs of Mississippi.

MDRS offers programs and services administered through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind (OVRB) that specializes in working with blind and low vision impaired individuals to optimize their opportunities for inclusion into the workforce, community, and home.

Offers a variety of programs, resources and information for persons with disabilities. MSD has served thousands of Mississippi children and adults living with disabilities since 1959. We are a 501 (c) 3 statewide non-profit organization and a registered charity with the Mississippi Secretary of State. To support our unique programs and services, we depend on funding from donations from individuals and corporations, grants from foundations, and proceeds from special fund raising events.

Programs range from elematary all the way to pre-voccational training and high school. The school also offers at home assistance for families with visually-impaired children

The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.