Press Room

The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services

Providing the Freedom to Live

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind
Office of Special Disability Programs
Office of Disability Determination Services

MDRS provides numerous programs and facilities that work together to meet the needs of Mississippians with disabilities.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services to provide appropriate and comprehensive services to Mississippians with disabilities in a timely and effective manner.

Vocational Rehabilitation

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) provides services designed to improve economic opportunities for individuals with physical and mental disabilities through employment.

An individual who is eligible for services is one who has a physical or mental impairment which constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment and can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from vocational rehabilitation services and requires vocational rehabilitation services in order to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain gainful employment.

Types of programs and services provided by OVR include but are not limited to:

MDRS has a network of 17 community rehabilitation centers (AbilityWorks) located throughout the state, which provide vocational assessment, job training and actual work experience for individuals with disabilities.

Thousands of Mississippians are successfully employed each year through the teamwork at OVR to meet the employment needs of individuals with disabilities.

Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind (OVRB) serves individuals throughout Mississippi who are blind or visually impaired. These services offered through a variety of special programs are unique in that they are designed to meet the personal and vocational needs specific to those who have severe loss of sight.

Types of programs and services provided by OVRB include but are not limited to:

OVRB operates and provides intensive evaluation, training and adjustment services at the Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center in Jackson and the REACH Center in Tupelo.

OVRB administers the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) that provides full time job opportunities for legally blind Mississippians. BEP vendors are self- employed business persons who operate a variety of food service operations.

Office of Special Disability Programs

The Office of Special Disability Programs (OSDP) provides services to individuals with the most severe disabilities who do not necessarily demonstrate immediate potential for competitive employment.

An individual who is eligible is one who has a severe disability, which constitutes multiple barriers to the individual’s capacity to live independently and exhibits a strong likelihood that the individual will be able to live significantly more independent at home, avoiding institutionalization. OSDP utilizes a variety of funding sources which include the state funded Attendant Care Program, the Independent Living Waiver program, the federal Independent Living Grant, and the Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund.

Types of services include but are not limited to:

Home and Vehicle Modifications - Residential accessibility of homes and vehicle accessibility for transportation.

Durable Medical Equipment - Assistive technology devices, equipment and supplies for improved accessibility.

Personal Care Attendant Services - Assistance with activities of daily living, i.e. bathing, dressing, ambulation.

Peer Counseling - Guidance provided by persons who are disabled to assist individuals in problem solving skills, adjustment to disability, and social integration.

Office of Disability Determination Services

Through an agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA), claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are processed at the Office of Disability Determination Services (DDS).

The SSDI program is funded from the Social Security Trust Fund and does not consider an individual’s income or resources. It usually involves only claims for adults. The SSI program, which is funded from general revenues, has income and resource limitations for claimant eligibility. It includes claims for both adults and children.

When an individual applies for SSDI or SSI he/she must first contact his/her local Social Security office. These applications are then forwarded to DDS for medical determination.

The first consideration in determining eligibility for benefits is to determine whether the impairment is medically severe and to what degree the impairment limits the applicant’s work related functions. Medical evidence is gathered from attending physicians and other treatment sources.

Guidelines for determining disability are determined by law and SSA regulations. The Office of Disability Determination Services is fully federally-funded.

MDRS District Offices

District I
9 Lafayette Park Drive
Oxford, Ms 38655 VR/VRB: (662) 234-3171 OSDP: (662) 234-6086

District II
1244 W. Main Street, Suite A
Tupelo, MS 38801
VR/VRB: (662) 842-1010
OSDP: (662) 840-9947

District III
207 Industrial Park Road
Starkville, MS 39760
VR/VRB: (662) 323-9594
OSDP:(662) 324-9646

District IV
1003 College Drive
Meridian, MS 39304
VR/VRB: (601) 483-3881
OSDP: (601) 483-5394

District V
4015 Hardy Street, Suite E
Hattiesburg, MS 39404
VR/VRB:(601) 545-5619
OSDP: (601) 544-4860

District VI
I625 Courthouse RD Gulfport, MS 39506
VR/VRB:(228) 897-7601
OSDP: (228) 897-7612

Regional Offices

Region I
8480 West Sandidge
Olive Branch, MS 38654
(662) 893-6917

Region II
706 Hwy 49-82 Bypass
Greenwood, MS 38930
(662) 459-9795

Region III
300 Capers Ave., Bldg. 3
Jackson, MS 39203
(601) 351-1495

Region IV
625 Courthouse Rd #13
Gulfport, MS 39506
(228) 897-7600

District VII
1400-A Harrison Drive
McComb, MS 39649
VR/VRB:(601) 249-2498
OSDP: (601) 249-4646

District VIII
300 Capers Ave. Bldg. 4
Jackson, MS 39203
VR/VRB:(601) 351-1560
OSDP: (601) 351-1525
and
300 Capers Ave Bldg 2
Jackson, MS 39203
VR/VRB(601) 351-1486
OSDP:(601) 351-1528

District IX
706 Highway 49-82 Greenwood, MS 38935
VR/VRB:(662) 453-6172
OSDP: (662) 455-2706