“Opening Doors Together"

The Coalition's motto relates two important messages:

1. That the Coalition strives to "open" opportunities or resources necessary to permit persons with disabilities to overcome or otherwise compensate for any barrier that may exist.

2. That "together" (meaning all people with disabilities and their families) we can surmount any problem that the system has created.

ADVOCACY

The Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) strives to guarantee that persons with disabilities have the same options as their non-disabled peers and that they are able to participate actively in their communities. As importantly, the Coalition seeks to ensure that persons with disabilities and their families are empowered to make their own decisions and that the choices they have available to them are comparable, adequate, and appropriate.

SYSTEMS CHANGE

We

• Educate the public and government officials regarding the needs and capabilities of people with disabilities
• Encourage the involvement of people with disabilities in the political process through voter education and registration
• Coordinate efforts with Coalition Organizational Partners and their programs
• Advocate for the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, IDEA, NCLB, HAVA and other disability related legislation
• Support the expansion of home and community based services
• Encourage the enhancement of support services

Our staff, members, and sponsors help to enhance the lives of people with disabilities in Mississippi and encourage self-advocacy to affect positive systems change in the areas of

• Housing
• Employment
• Education
• Transportation
• Access to programs and services
• Voting
• Recreation
• Healthcare

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL

The CCD is an excellent resource for disability related information and referral. Our programs and services help individuals with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, professionals, and anyone interested in disability related services.

Our knowledgeable staff can help you with

• Accessibility
• Benefits
• Transition from a nursing facility back into the community

And

Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center

Putting Parents F.I.R.S.T.

Pam Dollar, Project Director

(601) 969-0601 (v/tty) 1-800-721-7255

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The CCD is proud to house the MS Parent Training and Information Center (PTI). The MS PTI provides training and assistance to Mississippi families who have children with disabilities. The MS PTI is funded through the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education & Rehabilitation Services according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The MS PTI serves families of children of all ages (birth to 26) and all disabilities (physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional). We provide a variety of services including one-on-one support and assistance, workshops, publications, and Web sites. The majority of our staff and board are parents of children with disabilities, so they bring personal experience and empathy when working with families.

Specifically, the MS PTI helps families to:

• Better understand their children’s disabilities and educational needs
• Communicate more effectively with school and related professionals
• Understand their rights and responsibilities under IDEA
• Obtain appropriate services for their children
• Resolve disagreements with the school or other agencies
• Connect with other community resources that assist children with disabilities

For more information on these services click on Parent Training & Info