A History of Service
Oklahoma AgrAbility, established in 2002, is one of 21 state AgrAbility Projects funded by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, which also supports the National AgrAbility Project. The National Project was created in the 1990 Farm Bill to assist people with disabilities employed in agriculture by linking the Cooperative Extension Service at a land-grant university with a private nonprofit disability service organization to promote independence in agricultural production and rural living. The National Project serves as a resource for state Projects by providing training, technical assistance and information about available resources to help people with disabilities employed in agriculture.
Through a unique partnership between the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma ABLE Tech and the Langston University Small Farmer Outreach Program, Oklahoma AgrAbility provides services to people with varying degrees of disability. Oklahoma AgrAbility also maintains working relationships with state health services agencies, including the Department of Rehabilitation Services and Department of Health – Arthritis Network; INTEGRIS Health Systems; and other state AgrAbility projects.
Oklahoma AgrAbility staff work closely with the Oklahoma AgrAbility Advisory Council to maintain and build AgrAbility services. The Advisory Council includes representatives from various state agencies and the agricultural community who provide valuable insights into best serving a diverse group of Oklahomans.
AgrAbility Services
Information and referral: education and assistance to accommodate disability in agricultural activities
Technical assistance: on-farm technical advice concerning the design, fabrication and use of agricultural equipment, machinery and tools, and assistance in the modification of agricultural work sites, operations and living arrangements to accommodate individuals with disabilities who engage in agriculture and agriculture-related tasks
Education: involve community and health care professionals in the early identification of farm and rural families that are in need of service
Training: educational programs to enhance the professional competencies of rural agricultural professionals, rehabilitation and health care providers, vocational counselors and other providers of service to individuals with disabilities and their families who engage in agriculture or agriculture-related occupations
Peer support: mobilize rural volunteer resources, including peer counseling among farmers with disabilities and rural ingenuity networks promoting cost-effective methods of accommodating disabilities in agriculture and agriculture-related activities
