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Colorado AgrAbility Project
The
Colorado AgrAbility Project
Promotes success in agriculture for people with disabilities
or other physical challenges and their families.
Colorado
AgrAbility is part of a nationwide network of United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs begun through
the 1990 Farm Bill. The goal of the National AgrAbility
Project is to inform, educate, and assist farmers, ranchers,
farm workers, and their families with disabilities, so they
can continue to have successful careers in agriculture.
Farming
and ranching are physically demanding and hazardous professions.
Colorado AgrAbility and modern technology can help men and
women with disabilities continue to do what they love--farm
and ranch. AgrAbility can help by:
-Assessing
agricultural work sites and tasks
-Recommending
farm equipment adaptation, home modifications, and adaptive
equipment
-Referring
families to local service providers
-Informational
and educational winter workshops from CSU Cooperative Extension
for farmers, ranchers and family members with disabilities
and the professionals who work with them.
To
refer yourself, a family member, or a friend to AgrAbility,
call Bob Fetsch (970-491-5648) or e-mail him at fetsch@cahs.colostate.edu
We've
developed a Neighbor-to-Neighbor Support Training for farm/ranch
families who want to provide support to others with a newly
acquired disability or physical challenge. For more information,
e-mail Bob Fetsch at fetsch@cahs.colostate.edu
Colorado
AgrAbility Project
Colorado
State University
Human Development & Family Studies Department
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1570
970-491-5648
fetsch@cahs.colostate.edu
Jill Sump, Project Manager
Easter Seals Colorado
303-937-7713 ext224
jsump@eastersealscolorado.org
Vince
Luke, Case Manager
Easter Seals Colorado
303-937-7713 ext228
vluke@eastersealscolorado.org
A non-technical
Summary of the AgrAbility Project:
Colorado agriculture is a big, dangerous business. The state
has 28,268 farms and it had 78 agricultural fatalities 1997-2000.
Colorado has 1,600 injury compensation claims for agricultural-related
injuries that result in a loss of over $8 million each year.
There are an estimated 6,965-10,882 farmers/ranchers with
disabilities. The leading external causes of death on Colorado
farms/ranches are suicide, animal incidents, and tractor
turnovers. The Colorado AgrAbility Team used surveys and
focus groups to ascertain farmers', ranchers', and professionals'
priority needs from AgrAbility 2002-2005; the identified
needs are: educational workshops addressing new topics,
assistance in obtaining external funds to purchase assistive
technology, and Peer Support Volunteer Training.
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension (Robert
J. Fetsch) and Easter Seals Colorado (Carla Wilhite) will
collaborate in the Colorado AgrAbility Project (CAP). Project
team members will address all four National AgrAbility Program
goals:
- PRIORITY EDUCATION--Increase knowledge about accommodating
disabilities and avoiding secondary injuries in persons
with disabilities by providing education to individuals
with disabilities and their families engaged in production
agricutlure and the health, farm, and government service
providers who may work with them FY2006-2009.
- PRIORITY NETWORKING--Build the capacity of the CAP to
deliver services through the development of networking
activities that encourages the sharing of information
among, and the provision of services, value, or funds
from individuals and organizations not employed by AgrAbility
for the benefit of CAP and its clients.
- PRIORITY ASSISTANCE--Provide farmers and ranchers with
disabilities individualized consultative information,
education, service, and technical assistance to increase
the likelihood that they and their farm operations will
experience successs and to increase the consumer satisfaction
levels with the CAP by providing: product selection advice;
accessibility and ergonomic recommendations; life activities
and farm operations planning advice; and advocacy to obtain
service and financial assistance.
- MARKETING--Increase CAP's awareness through press releases,
Public Service Announcements (PSAs), print advertisement,
Web pages with awareness content, newsletters, displays,
and/or electronic notices during FY2006-2009.
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