National AgrAbility Project
The National AgrAbility Project is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded program established to help people with disabilities remain active in agriculture. The project assists farmers and ranchers who have had occupational and personal accidents or illnesses. The program links the Cooperative Extension Service at a land-grant university with nonprofit disability service organizations to promote independence in agricultural production and rural living.
Since April 1991, state and regional AgrAbility Projects along with the national project have provided information and assistance annually to nearly a thousand new and established clients-farmers and ranchers with disabilities-which allow them to continue their agricultural endeavors and remain vital rural business and community members. The confidential on-site consultations that AgrAbility staff conducts provide clients information they need to make informed decisions about their agricultural businesses. Each AgrAbility Project works to build the rural capacities needed to help foster the success of these individuals with disabilities and their families by educating thousands of rural health care and agricultural professionals, developing dozens of peer support networks and conducting hundreds of public awareness events. AgrAbility offers an array of services including:
- Identifying farmers/ranchers/farmworkers with disabilities and referring them to appropriate resources
- Providing on-site technical assistance on adapting and using farm/ranch equipment and tools, and on modifying farm/ranch operations and buildings
- Providing agriculture-based education to help prevent further injury and disability
- Providing training to help Extension educators and other rural professionals upgrade their skills in assisting farmers with disabilities
- Developing and coordinating peer support networks
National AgrAbility Project
866-259-6280
www.agrabilityproject.org
AgrAbility Assistive Technology Database
www.agrabilityproject.org/search/
Links to State AgrAbility Programs
www.agrabilityproject.org/stateprojects.cfm
