Agricultural Assistive Technology Training (AATT) Agricultural Assistive Technology Training (AATT) CSAVR Spring Conference April 10-13, 2011 Presented by: Paul Leverenz, M.S., Vice President, Easter Seals WI Manuel Lugo, M.A., Former Deputy Administrator, WI DVR Charlene Dwyer, Ed.D., Administrator, WI DVR Supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, DOE/OSERS Project #H133G

Purpose To collaboratively share the expertise of five agencies to create a national training program designed to strengthen the professional competencies of vocational rehabilitation counselors in their work with a highly underserved farm worker population.

Goal Increase the capacity of VR counselors to provide knowledgeable and comprehensive rehabilitation and assistive technology services to achieve successful employment outcomes for rural and largely self-employed farmers and farm workers with disabilities.

AATT Overview, cont. Collaboration between five partners: Department of Workforce Development, Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Wisconsin

National AgrAbility Project 24 AgrAbility projects covering 25 states Wisconsin

AgrAbility Objectives Direct Service  Provide on-the-farm technical advice about AT and worksite modifications Education & Outreach  Educate professionals who provide service to farmers

Easter Seals Wisconsin Easter Seals Wisconsin Farm Assessment & Rehabilitation Methods (FARM) Program AgrAbility of Wisconsin AgrAbility of Wisconsin UW Cooperative Extension Biological Systems Engineering Grant writing, public education, program promotion Direct client services

AgrAbility of Wisconsin: Direct Services

Previous NIDDR Grant: AgrAbility WI direct service outcomes 2008 Study Surveyed 204 AAW clients that closed Telephone survey 89% Response rate 96% of the farmers are still farming (consistent with 90% closure rate that WI DVR calculates each year for RSA)

Our Partnership Has Been Recognized Locally: Friend of UW-Extension Award, 1999 Top 10 Wisconsin Rural Initiative, 2000 Donors Forum of Wisconsin, 2004 Good Grant Award Nationally: Mutual of America, 2006 Community Partnership Award

FARM - National Finalist, Mutual of America Foundation

Serving Farmers is Good Economic Policy Supports rural economic development Provides positive VR and self-employment outcomes to share with legislature Results in a high success rate for VR closures and increases overall closure rates

Good Vocational Policy Most farmers are: 50+ years old; retraining for another occupation is difficult Committed to their work Financially invested in their work through farm ownership Service delivery time is 12 months or less What other alternatives do you have vocationally to return the individual to work?

Meeting the Needs of the Agricultural Community Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in America In addition to the same disabling illnesses and off-farm injuries as the non-farm community, farmers are faced with: Hazards of accidents with both animals and machines Working with missing limbs or fingers Impaired mobility due to overuse of joints

Meeting the Vocational Needs of the U.S. Agricultural Community Nationwide… 3.12 millionFarms and ranches 3.49 million Operator household members provide both paid and unpaid labor to farm operations 1.2 million Agricultural workers employed either full time or seasonal 500,000 Farmers with disabilities (National AgrAbility Project) 500 Disability injuries per day (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)

Meeting the Vocational Needs of the U.S. Agricultural Community 2007 Rehabilitation Service Administration Data 205,447 employment outcomes reported nationwide Only 992 were agriculture- related < 0.2% of the 500,000 identified farmers with disabilities received services that allowed them to continue farming

Why is the participation rate so low? Workforce Culture Farmers are self-reliant and independent Farmers have daily physical/time demands that prevent them from seeking assistance Vocational Rehabilitation Expertise Majority of VR professionals… Are unfamiliar with modern farming and farm culture Do not have experience assessing agricultural work activities and recommending accommodations Assume there are less physical, safer, more desirable and more profitable vocations than farming or agricultural production

Overview of the AATT Project Objectives Create and deliver 1.5 day, in-person training workshops in five states for a total of 150 DVR field staff; offer technical consulting to DVR administrators Develop and implement an on-line distance learning course for 100 VR professionals Project results will be measured and results will be shared with collaborative partners, NIDRR, National AgrAbility Project, and other USDA-funded health programs On-line training created by the AATT project will continue to be available to VR professionals following the conclusion of the project

AATT : Five Areas of Study Farm culture Viability of farming as an occupation Farm site application of rehabilitation technology Effective use of appropriate resources, including assistive rehabilitation technology Implementation recommendations

Farm Culture  Farmers love of the land and the work that they do  How a farmer’s self worth is tied to the ability to work  Family involvement in the operation  DVR’s regular case service process in relation to farmers

Viability of Farming as an Occupation Address misconceptions of farming with regard to money Initial appearance of financial picture may be deceiving Economics of farming Comprehensive picture of costs Tax laws that apply

Viability of Farming as an Occupation, cont. Dispelling myths about farm work and accommodations Expanding awareness of VR counselors to consider agricultural occupations as an option for consumers Understanding the importance of agriculture within each state’s economy and its relative size to other industries

Farm Site Application of Rehabilitation Technology Determining the ways a farmer’s disability is impacting job responsibilities Determining the type of rehabilitation technology that is appropriate and how to apply it Hierarchy of decision-making techniques related to assistive technology

Effective use of Appropriate Resources Options for assistive rehabilitation technology Equipment Demonstrations of various technologies Options for use and how to implement those options

Implementation Recommendations Most effective ways to implement methods for working with farmers with disabilities Consideration of costs Informed choice Building effective rehabilitation relationships with farmers

Wisconsin DVR Outcomes Fiscal Year 2009 farm closures 77 successful rehabilitations Total rehabilitation cost $3,556,332 ($46,186 per case) Estimated annual salaries $5,222,568 ($67,826 per person) 100% rehabilitation rate!

Wisconsin DVR Outcomes Fiscal Year 2010 farm closures 99 successful rehabilitations Total rehabilitation cost $3,874,439 ($39,136 per case) Estimated annual salaries $6,784,284 ($68,528 per person) 100% rehabilitation rate!

Training with WI DVR staff on a farm

Wisconsin DVR Outcomes A 20 year history of working collaboratively with Easter Seals WI to meet the needs of farmers with disabilities Short and long term outcomes demonstrate the value of the relationship and the value of the partnership

Agriculture Assistive Technology Training Website: For information on: NIDRR grant purpose History Partners Training News and Resources Contact information Apply to host a Training

Contact Information Paul Leverenz Easter Seals Wisconsin 101 Nob Hill Rd Suite 301 Madison, WI (608) Charlene Dwyer, Administrator Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Department of Workforce Development 201 E. Washington Avenue, Room A100 Post Office Box 7852 Madison, WI (608) Manuel Lugo 2335 Cty Hwy AB McFarland, WI (608)