Goodwill® and AgrAbility:Linking Rural Americans with

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Presented by Eric Olson

Manager National AgrAbility Project August 17, 2011

What is AgrAbility?

AgrAbility provides support and resources to rural farmers and ranchers with disabilities:•To maintain productivity

•To continue quality of life.

•In support of rural families and communities.

History• Began in 1991 as part of the USDA Cooperative

State Research, Education and Extension Service (“The Extension Service”).

• First authorized by 1990 Farm Bill.• Breaking New Ground started in 1979 and was a

model for AgrAbility.• In 1991, there were eight AgrAbility projects; now

there are 22 projects covering more than 22 states.

Structure• All AgrAbility projects — state projects and the

national project — are partnerships between the state’s land grant university and at least one rehabilitation-related program.

AgrAbility Priorities• Develops service capacity

• Encourages networking

• Provides direct services through education, assistance and support

• Assists farmers and ranchers with disabilities

Current NAP Partners• Breaking New Ground Resource Center, Purdue

University (lead organization)

• Goodwill Industries International (primary sub-contractor)

• Arthritis Foundation, Indiana Chapter (secondary sub-contractor)

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (evaluation specialists)

Objectives for all State and Regional AgrAbility Projects• Education

– Workshops, conferences, publications• Networking

– Partnering with other organizations to fulfill our mission

• Assistance– Providing direct services to customers

• Marketing– Spreading the word about AgrAbility

What AgrAbility Does Not Provide• Funding

– Most funding for assistive technology comes through state vocational rehabilitation systems.

– Other sorts of grants and loans are available.

• Equipment

Goodwill’s AgrAbility Project Priorities• Facilitates relationships between Goodwills and

State and Regional AgrAbility Projects

• Supports Goodwill efforts to lead statewide coalitions in non-AgrAbility states.

• Promotes the Goodwill family strengthening model.

• Leverages the Goodwill network to facilitate comprehensive AgrAbility services to veterans.

Current AgrAbility States

Key Goodwill Successes• Goodwills in six states are key partners in State

and Regional AgrAbility Projects.

• Five states have Goodwill-led stakeholder groups building AgrAbility coalitions.

• Goodwill Marketing

• Goodwill Advocacy

Why AgrAbility for Goodwill• Connects Goodwills to rural communities within

their territories

• Expands resources for persons with disabilities

• Enhances relationships with state vocational rehabilitation agencies

• Builds community partnerships

Building Statewide AgrAbility Coalitions• Land Grant Universities – The Extension Service

• State Vocational Rehabilitation

• Goodwill

• Independent Living Centers

• Easter Seals

• Farm Service Administration

• Farmer Support Groups

NAP Resources for AgrAbility Projects• Breaking New Ground Resource List

– More than 60 resources related to disability in agriculture

• Related web sites– www.agrability.org (current NAP)– www.agrabilityproject.org (former NAP)

• Toll-free helpline: (800) 825-4564• Online assistive technology database

The Toolbox CD• More than 750 products to help farmers and

ranchers with disabilities

AgrAbility Assessments• Step-by-step guide for

evaluating farms and ranches

• Reproducible form

Final Thought

“Goodwill is committed to expanding the quality of services for persons with disabilities in rural communities, and AgrAbility is an important component of that initiative.”

Jim GibbonsPresident and CEOGoodwill Industries InternationalOctober 2009

Questions?

For More Information

Eric OlsonManager National AgrAbility ProjectGoodwill Industries International(240) 333-5282Eric.Olson@goodwill.org