 Paul Sims/SDN Janie Cirlot-New, director of the The T. K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability at Mississippi State University, provides details on the center’s efforts to Starkville Rotarians Monday. By PAUL SIMS
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A center at Mississippi State University focuses its efforts on making sure those with disabilities have access to technologies which help improve their functional abilities.
The T. K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability opened in January 1996, said its director, Janie Cirlot-New. She provided an overview of the center’s work to Starkville Rotarians Monday.
The center’s stated mission is to “ensure that persons with disabilities are able to continually benefit from technological solutions and advances in the field of assistive technology.”
During her presentation, Cirlot-New provided a definition for assistive technology devices based on Public Law 100-407. These include “any item, piece of equipment or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
Services are available to people with disabilities regardless of age or diagnosis, according to Cirlot-New’s presentation.
The center offers “comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluations to remove ... limitations through the application of assistive technology, allowing individuals to participate in educational, vocational and leisure activities to the fullest degree they choose,” according to the center’s Web site.
The center addresses such areas as computer access, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), vehicle modifications, adaptive driving and driver’s training, according to Cirlot-New’s presentation.
Evaluations also cover such topics as daily living activities and modifications on the job site.
The center’s Web provides additional details on some of its other efforts.
These include:
• Camp Jabber Jaw, which involves those who use AAC devices and is set up as an enjoyable method to improve interactive communication.
• EXPRESS Yourself!, a project which allows people with severe disabilities develop artwork. The pieces developed by those who take part are offered for sale and the proceeds go to help the program develop new studio programs.
• Project IMPACT, an effort to evaluate and offer intervention for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with delayed development.
After the meeting, Cirlot-New said most of the center’s funding comes from state agencies, including the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Mississippi Department of Health’s Early Intervention effort and the Department of Education.
The center also receives income from fee-for-service work and donations, she said.
University officials named the center for Theodore K. Martin, an English professor who served in a variety of roles at MSU, according to background information on the center’s Web site.
With his involvement, MSU became a leader nationally in 1972 to “accommodate and assimilate students with disabilities.”
Now, more than 200 students with disabilities are enrolled at MSU. He retired in 1984 and passed away about 10 years later. The center was formally named for him in April 1997.
On Nov. 7, the “Teeing off with T.K.; Driving for Literacy” golf tournament will open up with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.; registration will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Lunch and awards will follow immediately.
Proceeds will go to fund literacy. The preferred deadline for entries is Nov. 5.
For information, call Janie Cirlot-New at 325-1028 or send her e-mail at
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To obtain more information on the T.K. Martin Center, visit its Web site at http://tkmartin.msstate.edu/.
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