{"id":575,"date":"2026-05-11T19:33:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T19:33:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/?p=575"},"modified":"2026-05-12T13:07:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T13:07:22","slug":"opening-doors-to-higher-education-governor-reeves-officially-declares-may-1-as-ipse-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/2026\/05\/11\/opening-doors-to-higher-education-governor-reeves-officially-declares-may-1-as-ipse-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Opening Doors to Higher Education: Governor Reeves Officially Declares May 1 as IPSE Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

On May 1, 2026, organizations, universities, students, families, and advocates across the nation came together to celebrate Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Day \u2014 a day dedicated to expanding awareness and opportunity for students with intellectual disabilities pursuing college experiences.<\/p>\n

At the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), this celebration was more than symbolic. It represented years of partnership, advocacy, and commitment to ensuring that higher education is accessible to all learners.<\/p>\n

What Is IPSE Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Inclusive Postsecondary Education Day is a nationwide initiative led by organizations such as Think College to highlight the growing movement toward inclusive college opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.<\/p>\n

While the United States is home to more than 7,000 colleges and universities, only about 350 institutions currently offer dedicated inclusive postsecondary education programs \u2014 roughly five percent nationwide. These programs allow students to:<\/p>\n

* Earn college credits
\n* Access financial aid
\n* Participate in campus life
\n* Build independence and career readiness
\n* Prepare for competitive, integrated employment<\/p>\n

IPSE Day works to break down longstanding barriers and reinforce a powerful message: postsecondary education is a viable and valued pathway for students of all abilities.<\/p>\n

Mississippi Recognizes IPSE Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

This year marked a significant milestone for Mississippi. Governor Tate Reeves officially proclaimed May 1, 2026, as Inclusive Postsecondary Education Day in the state, signaling growing recognition of inclusive higher education as an important workforce and community development priority.<\/p>\n

The proclamation signing brought together students, educators, and advocates from across Mississippi, including members of the Mississippi Alliance for Inclusive Postsecondary Education and representatives from leading university programs such as our very own RISE To The Top and the ACCESS Program at Mississippi State University.<\/p>\n

RISE To The Top: Celebrating IPSE Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

RISE played an active role in this year\u2019s IPSE Day celebrations. The week leading up to May 1 was filled with meaningful moments highlighting inclusion, collaboration, and student leadership.<\/p>\n

Highlights included:<\/em><\/p>\n

* Partnering with the USM Alumni Association for a campus celebration where students and peer partners painted the iconic \u201clittle rock,\u201d symbolizing visibility and pride for inclusive education.
\n* Attending the Governor\u2019s proclamation signing, where students witnessed firsthand the impact of advocacy and public policy in advancing disability inclusion.
\n* Celebrating alongside peers and partners from across the state, strengthening connections among programs working toward shared goals.<\/p>\n

These activities showcased what inclusive postsecondary education looks like in practice \u2014 students learning, contributing, and belonging fully within campus communities.<\/p>\n

Why Inclusive Postsecondary Education Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n

Inclusive college programs do more than provide academic experiences. They transform expectations.<\/p>\n

Students enrolled in IPSE programs gain independence, develop social networks, and acquire practical workforce skills that translate into stronger employment outcomes and richer community participation. Families see expanded possibilities, universities benefit from more diverse campus environments, and employers gain access to a broader talent pool.<\/p>\n

For IDS, supporting inclusive postsecondary education aligns directly with its mission: promoting independence, self-determination, and full participation in community life for individuals with disabilities.<\/p>\n

A Growing Movement<\/strong><\/p>\n

IPSE Day is both a celebration and a call to action. Although progress continues nationwide, access remains limited compared to the demand from students seeking inclusive college opportunities.<\/p>\n

By working alongside university partners, statewide alliances, policymakers, and national organizations, IDS remains committed to expanding awareness, strengthening programs, and ensuring that inclusive higher education continues to grow in Mississippi and beyond.
\nAs IDS joins programs across the country in celebrating IPSE Day 2026, one thing is clear: inclusive postsecondary education is not just an initiative; it is a movement reshaping the future of higher education.<\/p>\n

Together, we are building campuses where every student has the opportunity to rise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On May 1, 2026, organizations, universities, students, families, and advocates across the nation came together to celebrate Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Day \u2014 a day dedicated to expanding awareness and opportunity for students with intellectual disabilities pursuing college experiences. At the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), this celebration was more than symbolic. It represented years […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":576,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[35],"class_list":["post-575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rise","tag-may2026"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=575"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":578,"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575\/revisions\/578"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usmids.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}