Life of Mississippi

ADA Network

What is the ADA?

The ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act and is the landmark civil rights legislation for the nations 54 million citizens with disabilities. The ADA was passed in the U.S. Congress and signed into law in 1990 by President George H. Bush.

What is the purpose of the Mississippi ADA Network?

Our purpose is to develop and enhance a statewide service delivery system of multiple local affiliates, capable of carrying out the five core functions of the Disability Business and Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC). The Mississippi ADA Network is managed by Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE ) of Mississippi, which serves as the centers for independent living across the state. The Network benefits from our eight office locations strategically placed throughout the state. These offices and their staff serve as the local affiliates and offer insight from the perspective of people who themselves, are individuals with disabilities.

How Does the Mississippi ADA Network Help?

The Network carries out five core functions. These functions are:

  1. Training - We provide presentations and customized training programs to local businesses, government offices and consumer agencies and organizations. Our training is different because it is offered from the perspective of people who are disabled themselves. We provide real world applications, examples of ADA compliance, and we focus on the attitudinal barriers, often the most damaging of all.
  2. Information Dissemination - We distribute approved materials that supplement our technical assistance and provide reliable information aboutADA rights and responsibilities.
  3. Technical Assistance - We ensurequality and timely responses to requests for information and technical assistance. We make referrals to regional and State experts for more detailed information and assistance, as needed
  4. Public Relations and Marketing - We increase positive awareness about the ADA and the State Network and the benefits they can provide through local media outlets, such as newspapers, radio and television.
  5. Capacity Building - We strive to enhance the ADA knowledge of all Network members and those individuals and entities who request information from our affiliates.

Information from the Mississippi ADA Network is Provided Free of Charge as a Public Service. Customized training is available for a reasonable hourly fee plus travel expenses for our staff.

Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE) of Mississippi
1304 Vine Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 969-4009 or 1-800-748-9398
(v/tdd)

The Mississippi ADA Network is funded by the Southeast Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center (SEDBTAC) and the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University.