Meet Our Team
Beth Robertson, MA, Transition Coordinator
Beth Robertson, MA serves as a transition coordinator at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). Beth has been working on IDS’ Transition of Teens to Adult Life (ToTAL) project where she has been providing pre-employment transition services to youth and young adults with disabilities. Former Teacher, Counselor and Interpreter for the Deaf, Beth brings over 20 years of experience working in the field of disabilities. In particular, Beth has over seven years of experience working for the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and then as an Evaluator at AbilityWorks. Beth earned her ACRE certification in Employment Services in July 2020 and is passionate about empowering and assisting young adults with disabilities to reach their fullest potential by moving toward independence and competitive, integrated employment.
Dan Lewis, Technology and Advocacy Assistant
Dan Lewis currently serves as the Technology and Advocacy Assistant for the Institute of Disability Studies (IDS). In this role, Dan serves as a moderator of IDS’ Hattiesburg Campus game room, completes all closed captioning for IDS videos and assists with document scanning and filing. Aside from workplace responsibilities, Dan serves as a STEP UP to Leadership Council member which is an inclusive organization that gives individuals with and without disabilities the opportunity to develop skills through participation in service and recreational activities in the community. Dan is also a member of STEP OUT, a program consisting of adults, with and without disabilities, who provide community service, learn independent living skills, and participate in monthly social/recreational activities. During his time at IDS, Dan has served as Training, Resources, and Information for the Advancement of Disability (TRIAD) Service AmeriCorps member and been the Co-President and Co-Vice-President of the STEP UP to Leadership Council. Dan enjoys closed captioning and telling others the importance of making videos accessible.
Danielle, Parks, Transition Coordinator
Danielle Parks, LMSW serves as a Transition Coordinator at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). Danielle received her Master of Social Work from The University of Southern Mississippi as well as a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Danielle served as the first two-year Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities Program (LEND) Program and was the first Mississippi AUCD Emerging Leader in 2018. Currently, Danielle provides transition to adulthood training, provides training and technical assistance for university students with intellectual disabilities and serves as the state representative for the Southeastern Postsecondary Education Alliance (SEPSEA) Board. Danielle enjoys her work assisting young adults with disabilities reach their employment and postsecondary education dreams.
Danielle Sanders, Office Assistant
Danielle Sanders serves as an assistant office manager at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). Danielle is a graduate of Forrest County Agricultural High School and the Project SEARCH Southern Miss Program. Currently, Danielle provides one-on-one training to office interns and works with various job skills trainers to promote learning. In addition, Danielle assists in training youth and young adults with disabilities who participate in an IDS office setting internship. Danielle enjoys helping others reach their dreams for employment.
Dawn Lewis, Parent Support Specialist
Dawn Lewis currently serves as the parent support specialist at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). Dawn is the parent of an adult with disabilities and was the first Family LEND Trainee in Mississippi through the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) Program. For her leadership/research project, Dawn developed a booklet consisting of stories by parents of children, youth or young adults with ASD and other developmental disabilities that promotes advocacy, awareness and education targeting legislators. Currently, Dawn provides one-on-one parent assistance with the transition to adulthood including a parent support group, assists with the Hattiesburg Campus STEP UP to Leadership Council and facilitates the STEP OUT Program. Dawn enjoys helping fellow parents and their youth/young adults find their paths through the transition to adulthood.
Dr. Jerry R. Alliston (AKA Dr. J), Director
Dr. Jerry R. Alliston currently serves as the Associate Director at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). Dr. Alliston directly oversees the transition to adulthood program and serves as the director of Mississippi’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental (and Related) Disabilities program. Dr. Alliston has over 25 years of experience in the social sciences and disability fields focusing on medical social work, military disability case management, disaster case management, early intervention services, and transition services. Dr. Alliston received his doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from The University of Southern Mississippi as well as a master’s in social work degree. Dr. Alliston researches, develops, obtains funding and implements best practice programs and has concentrated on the development of transition to adulthood programs and services including inclusive employment, national service, advocacy, leadership and post-secondary education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. Alliston’s passion is promoting inclusive and community services for youth and young adults with disabilities.
Joseph King, Transition Specialist
Joseph King, LMSW currently serves as a Transition Specialist at the Institute of Disability Studies (IDS). Joseph has over eight years of experience in social services, case management, child welfare, clinical therapy, and assessments. Joseph received his master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Alabama and his bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Mississippi State University. Joseph assists in implementing the IDS Transition of Teens to Adult Life (ToTAL) Program and obtaining community partnerships. Joseph’s other focus areas include advocacy, pre-employment training, leadership, and post-secondary education for youth and young adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. In addition, Joseph is certified in the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) to provide evidence-based social skills treatment to preschoolers, adolescents, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and other socio-emotional problems. Joseph hopes to empower and prepare the future generation for their next stages of life.
Kirby Ware, Finance and Outreach Specialist
Kirby Ware serves as The Finance and Outreach Specialist at The Institute of Disability Studies (IDS). He received his Accounting Degree from Mississippi College in 2001. His accounting/business experience combined with his love and passion to serve people makes him a great fit at IDS. In the financial component of his role, he serves as the travel coordinator for IDS staff members and oversees the billing and accounts receivable for services provided by IDS. He also serves as an ambassador for IDS by promoting our transitions programs in Central Mississippi schools and expos. Kirby is a firm believer that we add value to ourselves by adding value to others. His ambition and hope is to always be found as a source of service, encouragement and inspiration to all those around him.
Laura Thomas, Transition Specialist
Laura Thomas, MS currently serves as a Transition Specialist at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). Laura received her Master of Psychology degree from Grand Canyon University, a Bachelor of Psychology degree from The University of Southern Mississippi, and her Associate in Marketing Management from Jones College. Laura brings over 20+ years of experience in the field of disabilities. She has worked with MDRS (MS Department of Rehabilitation Services) as a Case Manager and Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Counselor. Currently, Laura provides transition to adulthood training and assists with postsecondary peer mentoring services. Laura is passionate about giving young adults with a disability the opportunity to be the best version of themselves.
Scott Mullins, Transition Coordinator
Scott Mullins, LMSW currently serves as a Transition Coordinator at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). Scott received his Master of Social Work in Social Work from The University of Southern Mississippi as well as a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Scott has assisted with the Project SEARCH employment program and mentored young adults with and without disabilities. Currently, Scott provides transition to adulthood training and leads the national service and volunteerism service programs. Scott also assists with the Hattiesburg Campus STEP UP to Leadership Advisory Council and Special Olympics (SO) College Southern Miss. Scott is passionate about assisting youth and young adults with disabilities in reaching their employment and other life goals.
Taylor Carley, Self-Advocacy Coordinator
Taylor Carley currently serves as the Self-Advocacy Coordinator at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). Taylor has numerous years of experience in national service, leadership, mentoring, self-advocacy, and transition to adulthood services and was the first Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Related Disabilities (LEND) Trainee in Mississippi. Taylor provides advocacy training and technical assistance and hosts his very own YouTube Series “Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor” that focuses on advocacy and disability efforts in Mississippi. Taylor has received recognition on the national level and was featured as an Association for University Centers on Disability Emerging Leader, a guest on the national video series Tuesdays with Liz and won the 2019 Americans with Disabilities Video Contest with two self-advocate peers. In addition, Taylor was selected as a U.S. representative for the 2022 Tomodachi Story Jam for Youth with Disabilities, a digital storytelling and youth leadership program that brings together Japanese and American college students and young professionals with disabilities to collectively explore and identify a moment or moments related to overcoming barriers. Taylor currently assists with the Hattiesburg STEP UP to Leadership Advisory Council and participates in STEP OUT, a program consisting of adults, with and without disabilities, who provide community service, learn independent living skills, and participate in monthly social/recreational activities. Taylor enjoys sharing his story and his motto . . . “a disability is an ability; I am just like everyone else.”
Tyler Johnson, Transition Specialist
Tyler Johnson, MPH serves as a Transition Specialist at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). Tyler received his Master of Public Health degree from The University of Southern Mississippi as well as a bachelor’s in psychology degree. Tyler was a two-year trainee in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) Program in which he assisted with several activities including the development of a gaming handout for young people with disabilities. Currently, Tyler assists with the Hattiesburg Campus STEP UP to Leadership Council and national service and volunteerism services. Tyler is passionate about providing inclusive opportunities to promote overall wellness and assisting youth and young adults with disabilities in fostering their career interests and becoming more independent.