University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities – The Institute for Disability Studies – University of Southern Mississippi

IDS is Mississippi’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Research, Education, and Service.

Core funding for UCEDDs is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD). IDS is housed at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Satellite offices are located in the capitol city of Jackson and at the Gulf Park campus.

The mission of IDS is to positively affect the lives of Mississippi citizens with developmental and other disabilities and their families across the life span and to work toward increasing their independence, productivity, and integration into their communities.

IDS has a variety of programs to assist individuals with disabilities and their families with priority areas such as housing, early intervention, inclusive child care, assistive technology, recreation, health, education, and family support.