National AgrAbility Project

1. National AgrAbility Project Education & Networking Services by Douglas B. Carmon National AgrAbility Project Manager

2. Objectives • Education • Health Care Professionals • Agricultural Professionals • Networking • General Volunteerism • Peer Support • ADDCC • Assistance • Rural Transportation • Health Care Organizations • Communications & Marketing

3. Contact Information Douglas B. Carmon National AgrAbility Project Manager Easter Seals, Inc. Office of Public Affairs Suite 200 700 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 202-347-3066 dcarmon@easterseals.com

4. National AgrAbility Project Manager • Background • “Missouri Bottoms” • Military • Medical • Education & Training • ES • Sept 20, 2004 • My Focus • Education • Training • Resource Development

5. EDUCATION • Training for Rural Professionals • Community & health care professionals • Extension educators • Agricultural related groups • Vocational rehabilitation counselors

6. 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

7. 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

8. EDUCATION • Agricultural Professionals • Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) and Durable Medical Equipment Manufacturers • Disseminate resources identifying product limitations and recommendations • Develop educational program

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. NETWORKING • Peer Support • Connect people with similar disabilities • Provide forums for information & idea exchange • Connect caregivers

13. 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

14. NETWORKING • Peer Support • Regional programs • National peer support network • Barn Builders • AgrAbility Neighbor-to-Neighbor Peer Support Training (AANNPST)

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

16. 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

17. Assistance • Health Care • Web site resources • National health care organizations • Updates • Research • History • Treatments • Supportive activities • Peer support groups

18. Communications & Marketing Project web site www.AgrAbilityProject.org Fact sheets Technical resources AgNEWS AgQuarterly DVDs/Videos PSAs Displays Assistance

19. 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

20. 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

21. Information Sharing • Teamwork is the key • Networking • Input • We’re here to assist you!

22. Contact Information Douglas B. Carmon National AgrAbility Project Manager Easter Seals, Inc. Office of Public Affairs Suite 200 700 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 202-347-3066 dcarmon@easterseals.com

23. Enjoy Your Workshop!