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What is AgrAbility?

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians is a grant project through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This statewide project is a partnership between the Penn State Cooperative Extension, Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania and PA Assistive Technology Foundation.

AgrAbility staff provides direct services for farmers and farm family members with a disability or long-term health condition who want to remain in production agriculture.

Here are a few examples of disabilities that are common among Pennsylvania farmers:

• Amputation
• Spinal cord injury
• Arthritis
• Joint injury
• Back impairment

AgrAbility services include:

1. On-site farm assessment to discuss the daily farm tasks that are difficult because of the one’s disability.
   
2. Identification of modifications, equipment or assistive technology that would enable the farmer to better complete the task with reduced pain.
   
3. Referral information to the farm families regarding state and local resources/programs. Since AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians does not have money for modifications, most farmers with a disability are referred to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). OVR is a state agency through the PA Department of Labor & Industry that works with individuals with a disability in regards to employment issues such as training, evaluation, assistive technology, and modifications. AgrAbility and OVR continue to develop a strong working relationship in order to best serve the farming community.
   
4. Peer and caregiver support contact information.
   
5. Participation in a wide variety of educational opportunities such as farm safety day camps, presentations to health care and rehabilitation professionals, county crop and dairy days, and statewide agricultural expositions.

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