Mississippi's Project START (Success Through Assistive Rehabilitative Technology) is the federally funded Assistive Technology Act Program for the State of Mississippi and operates under the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration of Community Living. The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services is the lead agency for our program.
Project START provided access to and the acquisition of Assistive Technology to Mississippians of all ages and all disabilities. Through our Device Loan, Device Reutilization and Computer Refurbishment Program Project START increases access to appropriate assistive technology devices. Our services allow Mississippians with disabilities, an opportunity to live, learn, work and play independently in the community of their choice.
START’s mission statement is: Empowering Mississippians with disabilities through education, awareness and access to Assistive Technology.
Request Services
To request services, give us a call at 601.853.5249 or email us: projectstart@mdrs.ms.gov
Application for Services - Click HERE for PDF form, Click HERE for online form
Services
Device Reutilization
START’S Device Reutilization Program accepts donations of lightly used durable medical equipment. If you or someone you know have equipment you no longer need, you can donate it to Project START. The devices are refurbished to high-quality standards and provided free of charge to Mississippians with disabilities or chronic health care issues. If you are an individual who needs a device and have no other means to obtain it, contact Project START for more information.
Project START’s Computer Refurbishment Program provides in-home placement of refurbished computers for people with disabilities. The purpose of this program is to support education and vocational development as well as enhancement of personal independence for people with disabilities through the use of a computer. Contact Project START for more information or complete the application below and return to Project START.
Device Loan
START provides a short term equipment loan program allowing an individual to try a device before they purchase it. This program also allows an individual to borrow a device to use while theirs is being repaired or while funding is being secured for the purchase of their device. The loan period varies for each device but usually runs for 90 days. Project START’s staff will work with everyone to make sure the right equipment is matched with the individual. For information on the items available for loan, contact Project START or search our database below.
Device Search and Request
Please Note: The current database provides several examples of the devices and equipment we typically loan to the public. We are in the process of updating to reflect the exact items we have available.
Device Demonstration
In addition to our state office location in Madison, Project START partners with North Mississippi Regional Center in Oxford, TK Martin Center in Starkville and Institute of Disability Studies in Long Beach. These centers educate individuals and their families or caregivers on assistive technology to aid in hearing, mobility, communication, vision and performing activities of daily living. Personnel familiar with AT can demonstrate a variety of assistive technology devices and provide information about vendors and providers.
Contact our Madison office to make an appointment or contact one of the centers below.
North Mississippi Regional Center - Oxford, MS
T.K. Martin Center - Starkville, MS
Institute for Disability Studies - Long Beach, MS
Training and Public Awareness
Project START offers training, technical assistance and public awareness activities and provides information on availability, benefits and cost of AT devices and services. Check our calendar of upcoming events and trainings. If you would like Project START to participate in a training specific to your needs, please contact us for more information.
Events and News
On June 6 and 7, 2024, Project START along with The Arc of Mississippi hosted Mississippi's Assistive Technology for Everyone Conference in Flowood, Mississippi at the Sheraton Refuge Hotel & Conference Center.
On April 17, 2024 the U.S. Congress and the disability community celebrated National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day. The day honors people with disabilities who require AT to access their education, workplace, community, and recreational activities.
Project START hosted a demonstration day for MDRS employees to visit our lending library for demos of various types of assistive technology. The lending library is housed at the MDRS state office for employees, individuals with disabilities and caretakers, students and professionals to come in to learn about AT and get hands-on experience.
Resources
Project START is committed to helping Mississippians with disabilities. Below is a list of resources you may find helpful for your various needs. Click the link below that will direct you to websites for more information about the services they offer and their contact information.
Project START Resources
Executive Director's Message
Welcome and thank you for visiting our website. Project START is a program administered by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services that provides Mississippians with disabilities access to assistive technology through Device Reutilization, Loan, Demonstration and Training. Assistive Technology includes mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, accessibility software, technology for low vision and blindness, and augmentative and alternative communications devices. It also includes the very process used in locating and acquiring these devices.
For many children and adults with disabilities, access to and acquisition of assistive technology can make a tremendous difference in their ability to fully participate in employment, school, and recreational activities, thereby promoting full independence and inclusion into communities and the workplace.
At the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, we strive to meet the needs of Mississippians with disabilities that we serve in a timely and efficient manner. If you feel you or a family member could benefit from services provided by Project START, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Billy Taylor, Executive Director
Project START Staff
Jamie Tucker
Project START Executive Director
jtucker@mdrs.ms.gov
Mrs. Jamie Tucker has dedicated her career to serving Mississippians with disabilities. She began her career at Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services in 2003. She has served in many different capacities during her tenure. She began in Disability Determination Services as a Disability Examiner I and quickly advanced to Examiner Senior and eventually a supervisor position as Case Consultant. In 2013 she made the transition to the Assistive Technology Division at MDRS. In her role as a Rehabilitation Technologist, she worked in the field assisting individuals with disabilities to gain independence using assistive technology.
In 2018, Jamie became the director of Project START. Working with and providing services for Mississippians with disabilities is a true blessing. Each day Project START strives to ensure every individual has the opportunity to live their life to the fullest through the assistance of assistive technology. She brings a wealth of knowledge on how to best assist Mississippians with disabilities with an opportunity to live, learn, work and play independently in the community.
Kristy C. Cook
Project START Loan Program Coordinator
kcole@mdrs.ms.gov
601.853.5155
Kristy came aboard in March of 2019 where she resides over our loan library as well as attends events in the community, schools and with organizations to raise awareness to the AT Tech Act program here in MS.
Kristy Cole Cook oversees the Loaner Program and Lending Library for Project START. She is responsible for determining which device is suitable for each client and make the public more aware of AT devices that we have available.
Kristy’s goal is to match assistive technology devices to clients to enable them to live more independently in their communities.
Prior to Project START Kristy worked for Administrative Services where she was responsible for assisting in the daily operations of the Madison State Office Complex.
William H. Smith
Project START Rehabilitation Specialist
wismith@mdrs.ms.gov
William has over 23 years’ experience in the healthcare industry and has a wealth of knowledge in the repair and refurbishment of durable medical equipment. William oversees our recycling program. He ensures the devices are refurbished, cleaned, sanitized and meet industry standards before they are passed on the consumers. His years of experience allow him the ability to match the needs of the consumer with the proper equipment.
Carmen Foster
Project START Administrative Assistant
cfoster@mdrs.ms.gov
601.853.5249
Carmen is the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Project START. For over 21 years, she has served in various capacities throughout her tenure. Carmen started with DDS in 2003. She was promoted to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to serve the Office of Job Development in 2008. Carmen’s former role in OVR consisted of working with and supporting the VR Program Coordinators in various capacities from supporting Job Development, as well as growing with our Transition Services Program. Her support to the Transition Program Specialist catapulted into an expansive program involving Pre-Employment Transition Services and educational facilities which flourished into an impressive program statewide. Carmen’s support to these programs has demonstrated her passion and dedication to our agency’s programs and client services
Partnerships/Subgrantees
T.K. Martin Center
Instituted for Disability Studies, University of Southern Mississippi
TAD Center, North MS Regional Medical Center
The ARC of Mississippi
Annual Report
To request services, click HERE for online form.