National Assistive Technology Act Data System
Annual Progress Report - Full Report
Mississippi 2023
General Information
Statewide AT Program (Information to be listed in national State AT Program Directory)
State AT Program Title:
Project START
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
www.msprojectstart.org
Mailing Address:
1281 Highway 51 North
City:
Madison
State:
MS
Zip Code:
39110
Program Email:
jtucker@mdrs.ms.gov
Phone:
601-853-5248
TTY:
Lead Agency
Agency Name:
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1698
City:
Jackson
State:
MS
Zip Code:
39215
Program URL:
www.mdrs.ms.gov
Implementing Entity
Name of Implementing Agency:
Mailing Address:
City
State:
Zip Code:
Program URL:
Program Director and Other Contacts
Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):
Tucker, Jamie
Title:
Director
Phone:
601-853-5248
E-mail:
jtucker@mdrs.ms.gov
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Howard, Chris
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
601-853-5200
E-mail:
choward@mdrs.ms.gov
Primary Contact at Implementing Agency (last, first) - If applicable:
Tucker, Jamie
Title:
Project START Director
Phone:
601-853-5248
E-mail:
jtucker@mdrs.ms.gov
Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director
Name (last, first):
Title:
Phone:
E-mail:
Certifying Representative
Name (last, first):
Howard, Chris
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
601-853-5200
E-mail:
choward@mdrs.ms.gov
State Financing
| Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include any State Financing? | No |
|---|---|
| Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include conducting a Financial Loan Program? | No |
B. State Financing Activities that provide consumers with resources and services that result in the acquisition of AT devices and services
1. Overview of Activities Performed
| How many other state financing activities that provide consumers with access to funds for the purchase of AT devices and services were included in your approved state plan? | 0 |
|---|
C. State Financing Activities that Allow Consumers to Obtain AT at Reduced Cost
1. Overview of Activities Performed
| How many state financing activities that allow consumers to obtain AT at a reduced cost were included in your approved state plan? | 0 |
|---|
D. Anecdote
E. Performance Measures
| Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
| 1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 4. Subtotal | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 5. None of the above | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 6. Subtotal | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 8. Total | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 9. Performance on this measure | NaN% | NaN% | NaN% | |
F. Customer Satisfaction
| Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Highly satisfied | 00 | NaN% |
| Satisfied | 00 | NaN% |
| Satisfied somewhat | 00 | NaN% |
| Not at all satisfied | 00 | NaN% |
| Nonrespondent | 00 | NaN% |
| Total Surveyed | 00 | |
| Response rate % | NaN% |
G. Notes:
Reutilization
A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices
| Activity | Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity |
|---|---|
| A. Device Exchange | 00 |
| B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan | 80 |
| C. Total | 80 |
| Performance Measure | |
|---|---|
| D. Excluded from Performance Measure because AT is provided to or on behalf of an entity that has an obligation to provide the AT such as schools under IDEA or VR agencies/clients. | 00 |
| E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures | 80 |
If a number is reported in D you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance
B. Device Exchange Activities
| Type of AT Device | Number of Devices Exchanged | Total Estimated Current Purchase Price | Total Price for Which Device(s) Were Exchanged | Savings to Consumers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vision | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Hearing | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Speech Communication | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Daily Living | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Environmental Adaptations | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Vehicle Modification & Transportation | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Computers and Related | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
C. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassignment and/or Open Ended Loan Activities
| Type of AT Device | Number of Devices Reassigned/Refurbished and Repaired | Total Estimated Current Purchase Price | Total Price for Which Device(s) Were Sold | Savings to Consumers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vision | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Hearing | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Speech Communication | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Daily Living | 01 | $2,058 | $0 | $2,058 |
| Environmental Adaptations | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Vehicle Modification & Transportation | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Computers and Related | 79 | $33,970 | $0 | $33,970 |
| Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total | 80 | $36,028 | $0 | $36,028 |
D. Anecdote
Project START had a client that had lost his housing. In the process of transitioning to his new home his bed was lost. He was sleeping in his power chair. Project START provided him with a refurbished bed and mattress. He stated that this would be the first time in weeks he was able to sleep somewhere other than his power chair.
E. Performance Measures
| Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
| 1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 00 | 00 | 07 | 07 |
| 2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 67 | 01 | 05 | 73 |
| 3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 4. Subtotal | 67 | 01 | 12 | 80 |
| 5. None of the above | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 6. Subtotal | 67 | 01 | 12 | 80 |
| 7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 8. Total | 67 | 01 | 12 | 80 |
| 9. Performance on this measure | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
F. Customer Satisfaction
| Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Highly satisfied | 73 | 91.25% |
| Satisfied | 00 | 0% |
| Satisfied somewhat | 07 | 8.75% |
| Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
| Nonrespondent | 00 | 0% |
| Total Surveyed | 80 | |
| Response rate % | 100% |
G. Notes:
Device Loan
A. Short-Term Device Loans by Type of Purpose
| Primary Purpose of Short-Term Device Loan | Number |
|---|---|
| Assist in decision-making (device trial or evaluation) | 123 |
| Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding | 03 |
| Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation | 09 |
| Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity | 08 |
| Total | 143 |
B. Short-Term Device Loan by Type of Borrower
| Type of Individual or Entity | Number of Device Borrowers | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Desicion-making | All other Purposes | Total | |
| Individuals with Disabilities | 111 | 09 | 120 |
| Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives | 10 | 05 | 15 |
| Representative of Education | 02 | 04 | 06 |
| Representative of Employment | 00 | 01 | 01 |
| Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation | 00 | 01 | 01 |
| Representatives of Community Living | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| Representatives of Technology | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| Total | 123 | 20 | 143 |
C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans
| Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days | 45 |
|---|
D. Types of Devices Loaned
| Type of AT Device | Number of Devices | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Desicion-making | All other Purposes | Total | |
| Vision | 50 | 01 | 51 |
| Hearing | 01 | 00 | 01 |
| Speech Communication | 16 | 08 | 24 |
| Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 27 | 06 | 33 |
| Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 35 | 08 | 43 |
| Daily Living | 11 | 02 | 13 |
| Environmental Adaptations | 01 | 00 | 01 |
| Vehicle Modification and Transportation | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| Computers and Related | 00 | 01 | 01 |
| Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| Total | 141 | 26 | 167 |
E. Anecdote
Mississippi experienced devastating tornados in April 2023 resulting in catastrophic loss in a poor, rural community. We immediately contacted emergency officials to see how we could assist with AT needs in the area and learned of a young boy who not only lost his wheelchair, but also his prosthetic leg. These tornados hit in the middle of the night, so he wasn't wearing his prosthetic leg. After a visit to the community, we were able to provide him with a loaner wheelchair that ultimately led to donation. The loss of his prosthesis kept weighing on us, so we reached out to a local prosthetics company with whom we have a great relationship. In turn they wanted to help as well so they reached out to the family to provide him with a new prosthetic leg! They will continue following and serving him as he grows and needs additional fitting and therapy.