The LINK Volume 19 | June 2025

We were proud to support the inaugural class of the Mississippi DisAbility Megaconference Self-Advocacy Track by providing each participant with an Amazon Fire tablet!

These tablets are more than just devices — they’re tools for independence, growth, and empowerment. Equipped with resources from the Independent Futures That Work project along with our Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center (MSPTI) project, they will help young adults enhance their transition skills and confidently navigate their futures.

We’re honored to be part of this important step toward greater self-determination and opportunity for youth with disabilities in Mississippi.

Day One of the Mississippi disAbility MegaConference was highlighted by an entertaining and enlightening Magic Show by the Talented Cody Clark, who artfully mixes comedy, magic tricks, and insights into Autism Spectrum Disorder to the audience's delight. We also recognized the many years of service by Charles Hughes. He served as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities from February 2012 to January 2025.

Day two featured National Disability Rights Network Voting Expert Michelle Bishop, who gave an inspiring speech about how important the disability community's vote can be. We are 25% of the population and have 40 million eligible voters: the largest minority group. BUT, we vote 6% less often than our temporarily able-bodied neighbors. If we voted at the same rate, we could easily swing any election.

Dr. Scott Crawford was awarded the Daryel Dunaway Spirit of the Eagle Award by LIFE of Mississippi. This prestigious honor recognizes Scott’s tireless advocacy and unwavering commitment to creating a more accessible and inclusive world for people with disabilities. His work embodies the spirit of progress, compassion, and resilience that this award represents. We are incredibly proud of Scott and grateful for his leadership and dedication. Well deserved!

This toolkit was developed for families to use during pediatric-to-adult HCT and includes resources for both parents/caregivers and youth/young adults. The next page provides a summary of the tools that are included. These tools can be used to better prepare youth and families for the transition to adult care. This toolkit can be downloaded for free on Got Transition’s website at GotTransition.org.

To help prepare youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) for their health care transition, 6 toolkits were developed through a joint effort between LifeCourse Nexus, Family Voices, SPAN, and Got Transition. This project is supported by the Administration of Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The toolkits aim to help you learn and get ready for moving to adult health care and living a healthy adult life. They will give you lots of information and resources to help you during this time of transition. Each toolkit will focus on a different topic about health care transition:

• Understanding Health Care Transition
• Knowing About Your Health Care
• Leading Day-to-Day Health Care Routines
• Understanding Your Legal Rights in Health Care Settings
• Leading Your Health Care Visits and Interactions
• Planning for Moving to Adult Health Care

The Born to be WILD Family and Friends Picnic was held on Saturday, May 31st at the Mississippi Natural Science Museum in Jackson, MS. This year's picnic had a record number of attendees of approximately 411 people! Activities included a scavenger hunt, creature feature, corn hole fishing, K-9 and Project PAC demonstrations. Thank you to all our sponsors who made this event possible!

Join us on July 31th for our Annual Special Education Law Conference & CLE. The conference will focus on dispute resolution in special education and will include recent rulings and decisions under both IDEA and Section 504, ethics, and a panel discussion. The featured speaker for the conference is Diana MTK Autin, Esquire.

Diana graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1977. She was Managing Attorney for Advocates for Children of NYC for 7 years, serving as co-counsel for the plaintiffs in the Jose P. case and the Ray M. case. For 28 years, Diana served as Executive Director or Executive Co-Director of the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), New Jersey’s Parent Training and Information Center. In addition to her current role as Senior Program Director for Organizational Capacity-Building at SPAN, Diana is a co-founder and Director of the National Center for Parent Leadership, Advocacy, and Community Empowerment (National PLACE). She is also a parent, having raised four diverse adopted children with a range of needs.

Registration Fee:

• Attorneys - $200 (includes 5.75 CLE hours, including 1 ethics hour)
• Professionals - $200 (teacher CEUs applied for)
• Parents/Family Members - $200 (parent stipends available)

MSPTI needs your input to help ensure that the information, training and support we provide meets the needs of Mississippi families. If you have used our services, please take a few minutes and complete our survey!

(601) 969-0601 - Office

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