Delaware-Maryland Agrability Project (DMAP) Overview and Needs Assessment

Project Goal To inform, educate, and assist farmers, and farm workers with disabilities as well as their families, so they can continue to lead successful careers in agriculture and contribute to their families, communities, and nation.

Project Scope Delaware and Maryland 15,000 farms 10,000 watermen 1,000 loggers 2,500 poultry growers

Needs Assessment Conducted to establish the extent and type of disabilities among the target populations in the two state area The two surveys completed since the beginning of the project have been conducted by the Delaware and Maryland Statistic Services

Survey Instrument You may request a copy from DMAP 1,000 surveys mailed 55% response

Survey Results 16% responding had one or more disabilites Leading causes of disabilities:  Arthritis – 20.6%  Back injuries – 14.1%  Hearing impairment – 13.8%  Diabetes – 8.0 %  Visual impairment – 6.9%  Orthopedic – 6.0%  Respiratory – 3.9%

Partnerships Lead partners are major decision makers and participate on the Steering Committee Associate partners support DMAP and provide leadership in specific areas based on their expertise and capacity

Lead Partners University of Delaware University of Maryland Delaware State University University of Maryland, Eastern Shore Easter Seals Centers for Independent Living Delaware Vocational Rehabilitation Maryland Division of Rehabilitative Services

Associate Partners Arthritis Foundation American Diabetes Association Volunteers for Medical Engineering American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Delaware and Maryland Farm Bureaus Maryland and Delaware Departments of Agriculture Youth organizations – 4-H, FFA, Mental Health Associations And many more

Questions Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle Plato (c B.C.) Philosopher and educator