The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS), specifically the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind (OVRB), has drafted several policy revisions that will significantly impact VR services. These changes will affect Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), Post-Secondary Education and Training, Project Search, Ethical Guidelines, Transition Services, and Client Financial Participation. In addition, the hearing will discuss the proposed implementation of an Order of Selection. VR/VRB Directors will focus on the implications of these changes and provide clarity on our programs in serving our fellow Mississippians with disabilities.
We invite the public to participate in the hearing scheduled for August 1, 2025 and the 30-day comment period, recognizing the invaluable contributions of stakeholders in the VR/VRB Community and the wider public. Your feedback on the proposed policy revisions affecting Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services is essential and highly valued.
The primary purpose of the upcoming public hearing is to present and discuss these proposed changes, which have the potential to greatly enhance OVR and OVRB’s commitment to serving individuals with the most significant disabilities. This hearing will explore the implications of these changes and clarify their potential positive impacts.
The proposed policies are scheduled to take effect on Monday, August 4, 2025.
Copies of the MDRS OVR/OVRB Proposed Policy Revision will be available in large print for review beginning Monday, July 7, 2025 at the Madison Central Office and the locations listed below. The MDRS website will also provide a link to the MDRS OVR/OVRB Proposed Policy Revision. A version is also available in braille, upon request. If you would like to review the MDRS OVR/OVRB Proposed Policy Changes on Newsline, a service for the blind, at no cost, you may access it online at https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline or contact Margaret Y. Smitherman, Reader’s Advisor, at MS Talking Book Services, MS Library Commission at (601) 432-4111. All comments regarding changes to the MDRS OVR/OVRB proposed policy, received during the public hearing or submitted in writing, will need to be noted, recorded, and considered.
Remote public hearing sites will be available at the following locations below. You can also access the Zoom link, join via conference call, or register to attend in person by contacting Excellanxt Woodard at 1-800-443-1000 or via email. Please note that there will be a limit of 10 seats in order to ensure a safe environment. We encourage you to register in advance for in-person attendance by calling 1-800-443-1000. Your involvement is important to us, and we assure you that all necessary safety measures will be taken.
Ethical Guidelines | Pre-Employment Transition Services | Project SEARCH | PSED Training | Transition Services
Join By Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82052104680?pwd=DlGksvwEkeZtaaKbZgy0QMAUC56KbL.1
Meeting ID: 820 5210 4680
Passcode: 532884
Join via Conference Call:
(301) 715 – 8592
Meeting ID: 820 5210 4680
Passcode: 532884
Join In Person:
1. AbilityWorks, Inc.
3895 Beasley Road
Jackson, MS 39213
(601) 898-7076
2. AbilityWorks, Inc.
613 Pegram Drive
Tupelo, MS 38802
(662) 842-2144
3. AbilityWorks, Inc.
204 Eastman Street
Greenwood, MS 38930
(662) 453-7500
4. AbilityWorks, Inc.
1003 College Drive
Meridian, MS 39034
(601) 649-8094
5. AbilityWorks, Inc.
934 Industrial Park Road, N.E.
Brookhaven, MS 39601
(601) 833-3201
6. AbilityWorks, Inc.
10280 Larkin-Smith Drive
Gulfport, MS 39503
(228) 897-7616
7. Addie McBryde Center
2550 Peachtree Street
Jackson, MS 39296
(601) 364-2700
8.The ARC of Mississippi
704 North President Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 355-0220
9.The ARC of Coastal Counties
3109 Gulf Avenue
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 497-1035
10. MS EMERGE Center
310 N. Cleveland Ave
Long Beach, MS 39560
(228) 240 -2240