The University of Mississippi is offering individuals with intellectual and developmental disorders the opportunity to enjoy the typical life of a college student while preparing for the workforce.
The four-week residential program, called READY, allows participants to enroll in classes, engage in campus activities, and eventually pursue certificates that prepare them for employment. The goal of READY is to promote greater independence and inclusion for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and prepare them to be active, thriving members of their communities.
“READY will embody the spirit of Ole Miss at its best – joy-filled, caring and passionate,” said Cade Smith, assistant vice chancellor for access and community engagement and the program’s co-lead. “Inclusive higher education creates new pathways for independence while enriching student life, teaching, and research across the university. READY is not just a program; it’s a promising path to a brighter, more prosperous future.”
To make READY affordable and accessible to all interested students, Ole Miss is working to secure $125,000 in private gifts. So far, more than $30,000 has been pledged. These funds will directly support programming and personnel that will make the program a transformational experience for its participants.
“When we celebrate the first cohort of READY graduates, every person in the room will feel the joy and pride of that moment,” Smith added. “Donors will know they helped make it possible. They will be more than witnesses; they’ll be partners in changing lives and strengthening the Ole Miss story for generations to come.”
An informational program on READY is set for Mon., Oct. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Paul B. Johnson Commons. The event is open to anyone interested in learning more, including community members, business owners, prospective donors, faculty, staff, students, and friends. Reservations are not required but are requested.
A winter orientation event in January will introduce potential participants and their families to the READY four-week summer residential experience, which is set for July 2026. READY will provide a bridge for intellectually and developmentally disabled students who are entering their last year of high school or just beginning life after graduation.
“It allows them to ‘try on’ a residential college experience while helping Ole Miss ‘try on’ a new model of education,” Smith said. “Participants will leave READY with a clearer sense of their strengths, areas for growth, and a plan for their next steps.”
The READY staff for the summer program will include a lead teacher, two instructional leaders, two student directors, and 14 peer mentors. The program was developed from two Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College student theses submitted by 2024 graduate Bailey Beaird, of Dallas, and 2025-26 senior Emily Davis, of Benton, La.
READY is housed in the Division of Student Affairs, with collaborative partnerships with the School of Education, School of Applied Sciences, Department of Student Housing, and several other Ole Miss units.
