Contact: Camille Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Communication for children at Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability is now easier thanks to a donation of 20 iPads from Cadence Bank.

The donation benefits all students in the Project IMPACT preschool program, as well as other areas such as the center’s IGNITE Dyslexia program.

“Technology is a critical part of our mission, as well as advancing quality of life and access,” said Kasee Stratton-Gadke, center director. She said the new iPads will open doors for communication.

“There is no way to put into words the importance of seeing a child express their wants and needs for the first time. It’s powerful and lasting. Cadence Bank’s donation is helping us make transformational moments like this happen,” Stratton-Gadke said.

Jerry Toney, Mississippi President for Cadence, said the bank’s mission always has included supporting local organizations and non-profits through financial investments and volunteerism.

“The services T.K. Martin provides are unique and touch so many families in our area. Over the years, we have come to understand the importance technology plays as an educational, vocational and rehabilitation tool for persons with disabilities. And, because the center does not charge for its services, we felt this would further support their efforts without using up much needed financial resources. It’s our hope that these iPads will further facilitate their mission,” Toney said.

The center will use the iPads along with the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) app, allowing the iPads to be used as communication devices in the classroom. When using the iPads as communication devices, students will gain the ability to participate more fully with their peers in all classroom activities with expressive language. Some of the iPads will be sent home with students as trial devices before they receive a specialized personal Augmentative and Alternative Communication device.

Lead teacher Christan Toney explained that many students benefit from having time in the classroom with a communication device which encourages more expressive language. In addition to using the iPads for this purpose, the center will use them in different types of therapies, such as occupational therapy to help with fine motor skills.

Cadence Bank has been a corporate sponsor for the T.K. Martin Center since 2012. Jerry Toney said the bank’s employees continue to be inspired by the students who attend T.K. Martin and the outpouring of love and support from their families, the center staff, MSU students and faculty, and the community as a whole.

“T.K. Martin has had a personal impact on many of the bank’s employees who not only volunteer their time to assist the center, but some also have children or grandchildren who have attended. Their services change lives in a big way,” he said.

Stratton-Gadke emphasized the center’s appreciation for this support.

“Cadence Bank has been so generous to the T.K. Martin Center over the years. Their generosity will have a direct and significant impact on the lives of the children, families and individuals we serve,” she said.

The T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluations and services to remove limitations through the application of assistive technology, evidenced-based practice, training and educational support. Its comprehensive services allow individuals across the lifespan to participate in educational, vocational and leisure activities to the fullest degree they choose while continuing to advance research in disability. For more information, visit www.tkmartin.msstate.edu.

Established in 1903, MSU’s College of Education is home to six academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units. For more about the college, visit www.educ.msstate.edu/.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.