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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The National AgrAbility Project (NAP), modeled after Purdue Extension‘s Cutting-edge resource center and hosted at Purdue University, celebrating 30 years of making agriculture accessible to people with disabilities.
Through educational programs that advance individual capacities and adaptation of new technologies, networking opportunities and one-on-one consultations, the NAP and 20 State / Regional AgrAbility Projects (SPORs) address a wide variety of issues. disabilities, functional limitations and health problems among agricultural workers. Traditionally known for helping people with physical disabilities access assistive technology, AgrAbility continues to evolve to meet the needs of underserved populations, including, but not limited to, veterans and caregivers.
“Without Voc-Rehab (Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services) and AgrAbility, I wouldn’t be able to do it,” said Mark Hosier, an AgrAbility client. “I thought if I couldn’t walk and do it on my own, it wouldn’t happen. They gave me my life back.
During October, AgrAbility projects from 20 states will participate in the AgrAbility Virtual State Fair on Facebook and Twitter. Each day, a SPOR organizer will highlight how it supports and serves the state’s agricultural employment landscape. Educational programs and assistive information will also be shared every weekend for veterans of agriculture, assistive technology, caregivers, youth and underserved populations, including direct support from blacks, Latinos and Native Americans.
“We are excited about this year’s AgrAbility Virtual State Fair to share nationwide agricultural resources and success stories with people with disabilities who are already working or interested in agriculture. The AgrAbility program has changed and continues to change as we add new educational resources and support for the challenges farmers face today, ”said Paul Jones, NAP Project Manager.
“Improving and improving the quality of life of our farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers to help them continue to benefit from agricultural work is extremely important for NIFA,” said NIFA Director Carrie Castille. “We are proud to support the tremendous work of the AgrAbility program and its 30-year legacy in fulfilling this important mission. “
Connect with AgrAbility on social media to learn more about assistive technology, resources, safety tips, information and more.
First authorized in the 1990 Farm Bill (with funding appropriations beginning in 1991), AgrAbility is a grant-funded program through the National Food and Agriculture Institute of the Department of United States Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). Each project must involve collaboration between a funded university and at least one non-profit disability service organization.
Writer: Abby Leeds, 765-494-7817, [email protected]
Source: Paul Jones, [email protected]
Agricultural communications: 765-494-8415;
Maureen Manier, Head of Department, [email protected]
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