Goodwill and Agr Ability Linking Rural Americans with

Goodwill® and Agr. Ability: Linking Rural Americans with Vocational Rehabilitation Services Presented by Eric Olson Manager National Agr. Ability Project August 17, 2011

What is Agr. Ability? Agr. Ability 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 Agr. Ability. • In 1991, there were eight Agr. Ability projects; now there are 22 projects covering more than 22 states.

Structure • All Agr. Ability projects — state projects and the national project — are partnerships between the state’s land grant university and at least one rehabilitation-related program.

Agr. Ability 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 subcontractor) • Arthritis Foundation, Indiana Chapter (secondary sub-contractor) • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (evaluation specialists)

Objectives for all State and Regional Agr. Ability 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 Agr. Ability

What Agr. Ability 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 Agr. Ability Project Priorities • Facilitates relationships between Goodwills and State and Regional Agr. Ability Projects • Supports Goodwill efforts to lead statewide coalitions in non-Agr. Ability states. • Promotes the Goodwill family strengthening model. • Leverages the Goodwill network to facilitate comprehensive Agr. Ability services to veterans.

Current Agr. Ability States

Key Goodwill Successes • Goodwills in six states are key partners in State and Regional Agr. Ability Projects. • Five states have Goodwill-led stakeholder groups building Agr. Ability coalitions. • Goodwill Marketing • Goodwill Advocacy

Why Agr. Ability 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 Agr. Ability 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 Agr. Ability 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

Agr. Ability 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 Agr. Ability is an important component of that initiative. ” Jim Gibbons President and CEO Goodwill Industries International October 2009

Questions?

For More Information Eric Olson Manager National Agr. Ability Project Goodwill Industries International (240) 333 -5282 Eric. Olson@goodwill. org