National AgrAbility Project Education & Networking Services by Douglas B. Carmon National 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. Carmon National AgrAbility Project Manager Easter Seals, Inc. Office of Public Affairs Suite Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC

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 –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. Carmon National AgrAbility Project Manager Easter Seals, Inc. Office of Public Affairs Suite Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC

Enjoy Your Workshop!