Mississippi Project START, Success Through Assistive Rehabilitative Technology.



Link to: Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services

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Resources

FAQ's

This is a list of some Frequently Asked Questions. Click on the question to see the answer to that question. Some answers will include links to other areas in the Project START site or to other web sites.

What is assistive technology?

What is Project START?

How may I contact Project START?

What services does Project START provide?

Can Project START assist with the purchase of devices?

If Project START cannot provide funding assistance, what kinds of funds are available?

What kind of equipment does Project START have in its Equipment Loan Program?

How may I borrow equipment from Project START's Equipment Loan Program?

How may I add an event to the Project START calendar?

How may I add a valuable link to the Project START Links pages?

I am a vendor of assistive technology. How may get a link to my company's website placed on the Project START Vendor's Links page?

How may I get a copy of Project START's Desk Reference-Secondary?

How may I get a copy of Project START's Desk Reference- College?

How may I find out about upcoming Project START sponsored training events?

I have a technical problem with assistive technology hardware, how may I get help?

I have a technical problem with assistive technology software, how may I get help?

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Answers

What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is any technology that is used to increase the functional capabilities of an individual with disabilities. For more info go here.

What is Project START?
Project START is a federal program of the Tech Act of 1988. Project START functions in the state of Mississippi under the auspices of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS). For more info go here.

How may I contact Project START?
As you move through the website you will see links to specific individuals who will be able to respond answer questions in specific areas. Click on those links to contact those persons.

For general contact info go here.

What services does Project START provide?
Project START services include the following:

Information & Referral Services: information on available evaluation centers, assistive technology devices and vendors, possible funding sources.

An Equipment Loan Program

Technical Assistance Services

Training opportunities for service providers, consumers, and other related groups, such as advocates for the disabled.

For more info on Services go here.

Can Project START assist with the purchase of devices?
No. The Tech Act does not allow for the purchase of equipment for individuals. Title I, Section 101 (b) (3) (C) prohibits "direct payment for an assistive device".

If Project START can not provide funding assistance, what kinds of funds are available?
The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services has several programs that may be funding sources, provided the customer qualifies. These programs include the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, the Spinal Cord Injury/Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund, Independent Living Services, & Independent Living Services for the Blind.

Medicaid, Medicare, and the Veteran's Administration will pay for some types of assistive technology. For funding of speech generating devices, most major vendors will assist customers with the process of obtaining a device from third party sources. (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance).

There are private groups, such as Lions Clubs, the MS Society for Disability, or the Muscular Dystrophy Association, that will contribute monies toward the purchase of assistive technology devices. The amount of their contribution will depend upon the availability of funds at the time of request.

For more info on Funding go here.

What kind of equipment does Project START have in its Equipment Loan Program?
Project START has a wide range of devices for loan, from "low-tech" to "high-tech". For a current list of available devices go here.

How may I borrow equipment from Project START's Equipment Loan Program?
Project START's Equipment Loan Policy explains who is eligible to borrow equipment. For a copy of the policy and contact information go here.

How may I add an event to the Project START calendar?
Contact the Project START webmaster.

How may I add a valuable link to the Project START Links pages?
Contact the Project START webmaster

I am a vendor of assistive technology. How may get a link to my company's website placed on the Project START Vendor's Links page?
Contact the Project START webmaster

How may I get a copy of Project START's Desk Reference-Secondary or the Desk Reference-College?
Hard copies of the popular Desk Reference works are no longer available from Project START. You may download printable versions (.pdf files) from this website. You will need Adobe Readers to read these files. If you do not currently have Adobe you may download a free copy along with the Desk References.

PDF format.For the Secondary Desk Reference For the Secondary Desk Reference click here.
PDF format. For the College Desk Reference For the College Desk Reference click here.

How may I find out about upcoming Project START sponsored training events?
Training events are listed on our Calendar.

I have a technical problem with assistive technology hardware, how may I get help?
Project START can help you with technical assistance.

I have a technical problem with assistive technology software, how may I get help?
Project START can help you with technical assistance.