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National AgrAbility Project

provided by National AgrAbility Project

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National AgrAbility Project

225 South University Street
Breaking New Ground Resource Center
West Lafayette IN 47907
Toll Free:
800-825-4264
Main:
765-494-1191
Hours:
M-F 9:00AM-5:00PM. Answering service: 24 hours.
Email:
agrability​@agrability.org

* Assists farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities by offering the following services:  
  • On-site assessments of the agricultural worksite or home to identify barriers to completing tasks
  • Recommendations for assistive technology (equipment/tools/devices), modifications that can make it easier to perform work, and/or other possible solution to overcoming disability-related limitations
  • Access to information on a variety of topics related to disability and agriculture
  • Provides education/training opportunities through workshops, conferences, seminars, and on-line programs
  • Referrals to other local services for potential assistance (financial, rehabilitative, education, etc.) specific to the clients' needs
  • Arranges for peer support opportunities that connect customers with others who have successfully accommodated their disabilities 
* Direct funding or equipment is not provided by the AgrAbility Project, instead the project works with state Vocational Rehabilitation departments and other funding sources. 

* Individuals in states without AgrAbility may still receive certain services through the National Project:
  • Bill Field - Purdue University
  • Paul Jones - Purdue University
  • Stephen Swain - Purdue University                                           
  • Chuck Baldwin - Purdue University                                            
  • Cindy Chastain - Purdue University                                            
  • Denise Heath - Purdue University                                              
  • Ed Bell - Farmer Liaison                                   
  • JoBeth Rath - Goodwill of the Finger Lakes
  • Tess McKeel – Goodwill of the Finger Lakes                          
  • Billy Atorn – APRIL(Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living)
  • Sierra Royster - APRIL(Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living)
  • Robert Fetsch - Colorado State University

Eligibility: Farmer, rancher or other agricultural worker with any type of physical, cognitive, or illness-related disability.

Application Process: Call for information.

Required Documentation: Call for information.

Fees: No fees for service.

Coverage Note: United States.

 

AgrAbility is a program sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides assistance to farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers, and farm family members impacted by disability.  It consists of a National Project and State / Regional Projects (currently serving 24 states), each involving collaborative partnerships between land grant universities and various nonprofit disability services organizations.  The National Project is led by the Breaking New Ground Resource Center at Purdue University in partnership with Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, the Arthritis Foundation, and the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign. Support, funding, and oversight for AgrAbility come from the UDSA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).