National Advocacy in Action: How IDS Represents Mississippians with Disabilities Across the Country

Advocacy does not begin or end within state lines. This spring, team members from the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in two major national gatherings dedicated to advancing disability rights, education equality, and public policy.

Through participation in both the Disability Policy Seminar and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) Conference, IDS strengthened its role as a voice for Mississippi families within a nationwide advocacy movement.

IDS Executive Director Jerry Alliston and Associate Director Leslie LaVergne joined advocates from across the country at the Disability Policy Seminar, an annual event co-hosted by national disability organizations including The Arc of the United States and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.

The seminar brings together self-advocates, service providers, researchers, family members, and policy experts to learn about federal disability policy and engage directly with lawmakers. Participants receive training on how the federal government works, strategies for communicating with policymakers, and ways to translate lived experiences into meaningful policy change.

A highlight of the experience is “Hill Day,” when advocates meet with members of Congress and congressional staff to discuss issues impacting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including community living supports, education access, workforce participation, and healthcare services.

For IDS leadership, these conversations ensure that Mississippi perspectives help shape national disability policy discussions.

Just one week prior, IDS family advocates Amy Rhods and Nellie Alliston participated in the COPAA Conference — the largest national gathering focused specifically on protecting the civil and educational rights of students with disabilities.

The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates is a nationwide network of parents, attorneys, advocates, and professionals dedicated to ensuring students with disabilities receive equitable educational opportunities and strong legal protections.

The multi-day conference offers intensive training, keynote sessions, and collaborative workshops focused on:

* effective special education advocacy
* Individualized Education Program (IEP) strategies
* disability civil rights protections
* emerging legal and policy developments

Through networking and professional development, IDS staff gained new tools and resources that directly benefit the families they serve across Mississippi.

While these conferences take place hundreds of miles away, their impact is deeply local.

Participation in national advocacy events allows IDS staff to:

* Stay informed about federal policy trends
* Build partnerships with national leaders
* Share Mississippi success stories
* Bring innovative strategies back to the communities they serve

By maintaining a presence in national conversations, IDS ensures that individuals with disabilities and their families in Mississippi remain connected to the broader disability rights movement.