Project Description:
Agriculture contributes more than $57 billion annually to Georgia's $350 billion economic output. Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations. According to the CDC, every year 228 agricultural workers suffer injuries. Permanent disability will be a consequence of 5% of these injuries. 25% of Georgia's population live in rural/agricultural areas, yet the disability community is unaware of the needs of farmer's with disabilities. Disabilty workers, in general, do not have an awareness of the dangers of farming, the type of equipment used and the overall farm culture. This knowlege is critical to providing services to farmers with disabilities. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service has partnered with the Institute on Human Development and Disability on this project in order to support the success of farm families in which a member has a disability, through education, networking, capacity building, and direct assistance. This project will: 1) increase the ability of extension agents, agricultural organizations/provider, and disability/health service providers to support farm families who are affected by disabilities; 2)educate farmer, their families, and community members about disability issues as related to farm families; 3) establish and maintain a statewide network of partners who will work together, sharing resources, to meet the needs of farm families who are affected by disabilities, 4) establish and maintain local/regional networks of partners who will work together, sharing resources, to meet the needs of farm families who are affected by disabilities, 5) establish and maintain a collaboration with the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) and the national network of AgrAbility projects, 6) recruit, train, and support a network of volunteers to provide assistance to farm families; 7) in cooperation with our partners, guide farm families affected by disabilities to explore rehabilitation and other programs that provide direct asistance with medical needs, assistive technology, education goals, and other services to overcome barrieres to farm employment; 8) provide individual consultative services and other needed assistance to families whose needs are not adequately met; and 9) develop and awareness of Georgia's AgrAbility project in diverse audiences, including farm families and the general public.
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
