Oklahoma Agrability hosts national workshop
By Katie L. Reim
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma AgrAbility hosted a national two-day workshop in July to train representatives from other state AgrAbility Projects about creating educational programs for occupational therapists and physical therapists who work with clients involved in agriculture.
Oklahoma AgrAbility was asked to host the workshop because of the continuing education program developed in Oklahoma during the past three years.
Jim Trapp, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service associate director, welcomed participants with a description of agriculture and its importance in Oklahoma, Oklahoma’s drought situation, and recognition of the hazardous nature of agriculture and the role AgrAbility plays in maintaining the agricultural workforce.
“The two-day workshop included presentations and discussions about the content to include in the continuing education workshops for occupational therapists and physical therapists, as well as suggestions for facilitators, goals and learning objectives,” said Traci Naile, Oklahoma AgrAbility project coordinator.
Sessions suggested for workshops were an overview of AgrAbility; farm culture; farm environment, work tasks and hazards; farm site assessment; treatment interventions; farm operations and equipment; clinical exercises; and resources available for farmers/ranchers with disabilities.
Presenters included Doug Carmon and Mary Beck, National AgrAbility Project; Carla Wilhite, Oklahoma AgrAbility and Millee Jorge, Langston University, dean of the school of physical therapy.
“AgrAbility representatives were encouraged to use continuing education workshops to educate occupational and physical therapists about aspects of agriculture they may be unfamiliar with, such as terminology, hazards, working conditions and equipment,” Naile said. “Representatives showed therapists the realities of life on a farm or ranch, and gave suggestions how therapists may prepare agricultural clients to return to work and encouraged therapists to perform home and/or farm visits early in treatment to tailor rehabilitation to the unique needs of an agricultural worker.”
In addition to the annual two-day conference, Oklahoma AgrAbility and INTEGRIS – Jim Thorpe hosted one-day workshops in Altus, Claremore, Ardmore and Woodward. The final one-day workshop for 2006 is planned for July 28 at the Oklahoma County Cooperative Extension office. All workshops are open to all occupational and physical therapists in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma AgrAbility was created in 2002 to provide education and resources for Oklahoma agricultural workers who have disabilities and wish to continue working in agriculture. AgrAbility’s services include education, support and technical assistance for work site modifications, as well as education and resources for health care and Extension professionals.
AgrAbility staff members are available to perform on-site assessments to determine needs for modifications, assist in finding services and funding through local and state agencies and present programs relating to AgrAbility services and disability issues, said Naile.
The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma ABLE Tech, and the Langston University Center for Outreach Programs partnered to provide AgrAbility services to more than 60 families, train more than 100 health care professionals and reach more than 6,000 people through outreach programs during the last year.
Oklahoma AgrAbility is one of 22 state AgrAbility projects funded through USDA grants and assisted by the National AgrAbility Project, which was created in the 1990 Farm Bill.
For more information, call (888) 885-5588 (voice/TDD) or visit www.agrability.okstate.edu.
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Katie L. Reim
Communication Specialist
OSU AG Communication Services
318 PIO
Stillwater, OK 74078
(405) 744-6792
katie.reim@okstate.edu