What is AgrAbility?
The National AgrAbility Project is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded program established to help people with disabilities remain active in agriculture. See National AgrAbility Project for more information.
AgrAbility in West Virginia
Farming is one of the nation's most dangerous professions because it includes a combination of difficult working conditions, hazardous equipment, and animals that can become out-of-control.
To help address these problems, three West Virginia agencies applied for and received a four-year AgrAbility grant in 2001. Those agencies are:
- West Virginia University Cooperative Extension, Safety and Health Extension
- Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living (NWVCIL)
- West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) at the Center for Excellence in Disabilities at the West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center
The Extension Service is the lead agency and the NWVCIL is responsible for service delivery. WVATS is responsible for information and referral services and materials development, and also shares training responsibilities. See WV AgrAbility Partners for more information on these three agencies.
Inetta Fluharty, Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living (NWVCIL) staff member and WVATS Tech Team liaison, coordinates resources and services to farm families.
If an accident or a chronic health condition has made it difficult for you to do your daily chores, West Virginia AgrAbility can help you and your family members in many ways. We can:
- Make direct on-the-farm visits to help develop solutions to meet specific needs.
- Recommend safe affordable modifications to your home, land, vehicles, and farming equipment.
- Put you in contact with other West Virginia farm families who have had similar experiences so you can exchange ideas.
- Help you find funding support for the assistive technology and farm equipment modifications you may need.
- Provide education on farm safety and injury prevention.
To contact us:
Inetta Fluharty
E-mail: assist@cebridge.net
Mail: NWVCIL, 1109 U.S. Route 33 East, Elkins, WV 26241
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