National AgrAbility Project

Education & Networking

Services

byDouglas B. CarmonNational AgrAbility Project Manager

Objectives

• Education– Health Care Professionals– Agricultural Professionals

• Networking– General Volunteerism– Peer Support– ADDCC

• Assistance– Rural Transportation– Health Care Organizations – Communications & Marketing

Contact Information

Douglas B. CarmonNational AgrAbility Project Manager Easter Seals, Inc.Office of Public AffairsSuite 200 700 Thirteenth Street, NWWashington, DC 20005 202-347-3066 dcarmon@easterseals.com

National AgrAbility Project Manager

• Background– “Missouri Bottoms”– Military

• Medical• Education & Training

– ES• Sept 20, 2004

– My Focus• Education• Training• Resource Development

EDUCATION

• Training for Rural Professionals – Community & health care

professionals – Extension educators– Agricultural related groups– Vocational rehabilitation counselors

EDUCATION

• OT/PT Training Curriculum– Bridge gap between rehab and healthcare

professionals not routinely exposed to farmers with disabilities

– OT/PTs first, then other rehab/healthcare professionals, and finally pre-service university level students

– Partnership (National, State, Healthcare Organizations)

– Classroom face-to-face learning, online continuing education modules

EDUCATION

• Agricultural Professionals – Equipment Dealers and Manufacturers

• Educational program through national and area dealer associations (e.g. North America Equipment Dealers Association [NAEDA])

– Safety professionals• American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE),

Safety & Health Division, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

• Increase knowledge in wheel-chair related seating, mobility systems, and prosthetics/orthotics use on the farm

EDUCATION

• Agricultural Professionals– Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers

(RERCs) and Durable Medical Equipment Manufacturers• Disseminate resources identifying product

limitations and recommendations• Develop educational program

EDUCATION

• Agricultural Professionals– Workforce development government service

providers• VR, WIB, SSA, and Senior Employment Programs• Develop informational materials and

presentations to build and strengthen relationships

NETWORKING

• General Volunteer Services– Compilation of volunteer

management guidelines• Research, recruiting, liability,

training, management, recognition, and reporting

– Resource access• National AgrAbility Project web site• Print• Electronically

NETWORKING

• General Volunteer Services– Collection of resources

• AgrAbility Unlimited• Easter Seals Kindcare Southeastern

Wisconsin• Easter Seals Miami-Dade• Energize, Inc.• National Information Center for

Volunteerism• Minnesota Department of Human

Services• Independent Sector• Corporation for National and

Community Service• American Association of Retired

Persons• AmeriCorps• Web based resource manuals

NETWORKING

• Peer Support– Connect people with similar disabilities– Provide forums for information & idea

exchange– Connect caregivers

NETWORKING

• Peer Support– Goals

• Better selection process• More effective support skills• Increased number of volunteers• Increased farmer’s usage of AgrAbility

services • Decrease liability of volunteer & Project

NETWORKING

• Peer Support– Regional programs– National peer support network– Barn Builders– AgrAbility Neighbor-to-Neighbor Peer

Support Training (AANNPST)

NETWORKING

• AgrAbility Disability, Disease and Chronic Condition (ADDCC) workgroup– Information sharing– Conferences– Collaborations– Internships

Assistance

• Rural Transportation– Web site resources

• Handbook for Rural Flexroute Implementation• Community Inclusion Driver Strategy• Model for Solving Rural Transportation Issues• A Solutions Package for Volunteer

Transportation Programs• Resource Sheets• Resource Organizations

Assistance

• Health Care– Web site resources– National health care

organizations• Updates• Research• History• Treatments• Supportive activities• Peer support groups

Assistance

• Communications & Marketing

– Project web site www.AgrAbilityProject.org

– Fact sheets– Technical resources– AgNEWS– AgQuarterly– DVDs/Videos– PSAs– Displays

Assistance

• Videos – 15 min. version on VHS (1996)

• English audio and captions• Spanish audio version

– 6 min version on VHS and DVD (2002)• English audio and captions

– 26 min Partners Video (2005)• 10 min version• 6 min version

Assistance

• Radio PSAs – New versions in mid-2006– Two 60 second spots (2002)– Two 30 second spots (2002)– Announcer scripts customized with

local information– Available on CD and online– Print PSAs with contact information

Information Sharing

• Teamwork is the key• Networking• Input• We’re here to assist you!

Contact Information

Douglas B. CarmonNational AgrAbility Project Manager Easter Seals, Inc.Office of Public AffairsSuite 200 700 Thirteenth Street, NWWashington, DC 20005 202-347-3066 dcarmon@easterseals.com

Enjoy Your Workshop!