Annual Report - State of Oklahoma

Advisory Council
Keith Boevers
OK Coop. Extension
Charlie Bowen
Farmer/Rancher
Debbie Davenport
Choctaw Nation of OK
Dawn Duca
Arthritis Foundation
Andy Fosmire
NW Health Education
Center/Rural Projects
Melinda Fruendt
Department of
Rehabilitation Services
Phyllis Holcomb
OK Farm Bureau
Bill Inman
OK Career Tech
James Kuhn
OK Farmers Union
BJ Nevels
OK Veterans Affairs
Michael Oakley
Farmer/Rancher
Sherri O’Neil
Arthritis Foundation
William J. Pettit, D.O.
OSU Center for
Rural Health
Charles Rohla, Ph.D.
The Samuel Roberts
Noble Foundation
Val Schott
OSU Center for
Rural Health
Sandra Wade-Penn
Langston University
Matt Ward
USDA – Natural
Resources Conserv.
Service
AgrAbility Staff
Jan Johnston, Ph.D.
OSU/OK Coop. Extension
Linda Jaco
OkAT/OK ABLE Tech
Lynn Jeffries, Ph.D.
Langston University
Sch. of Physical Therapy
Julie York
OSU/OK Coop. Extension
Sandra Stevenson
OkAT/OK ABLE Tech
Milissa Gofourth
OkAT/ OK ABLE Tech
Stacy Bauter
OKAT/OK ABLE Tech
Direct Services:
Annual Report
April 2010-March 2011
The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project provides direct service, education & networking
to support the rehabilitation and assistive technology needs of Oklahoma
farmers, ranchers and their families who have been impacted by disabilities.
• 76 individuals received information and referral
• 50 individuals served
• 32 individuals received an on-farm assessment
• 16 individuals received $11,928 in Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation grants
• 33 co-shared Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) clients received $214,702
in assistive technologies
• $52,400 spent for other rehabilitation-related services by DRS for co-shared clients
Education:
• 50 professionals received CEUs at the 7th Annual “Rehabilitating Oklahoma Farmers
& Ranchers” workshop
• 18 Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OCES) educators and AgrAbility staff
certified to conduct Arthritis Foundation Life Improvement Series: Exercise Programs
• 19 state and national presentations impacting over 1,050 individuals conducted
• 14 Langston University School of Physical Therapy Doctoral students received training
in fundamental knowledge and skills; advocacy and support; and the use of assistive
technology for persons with disabilities who wish to work in agriculture
• 26 OCES personnel received in-service training to provide education in their
communities on AgrAbility, Arthritis, Rural Caregiving and Gardening with Disabilities
• 42 veterans with disabilities and 24 DRS counselors received education on AgrAbility
service delivery objectives
Networking:
• The 3 rd AgrAbility Day at the Capitol was held March 28, 2011. The event was
reported state-wide by newspaper, radio, TV outlets and online.
• 10,000 copies of the quarterly newsletters distributed
• Participated in 27 state and national exhibits, impacting over 25,149 individuals
• Memorandums of Understanding established with the Department of Rehabilitation
Services, Dept. of Career & Technology Education, and OK ABLE Tech.

Client Demographic Information
40%
20%
0%
Livestock Vegtable Agri-business
Crops
20%
10%
0%
Arthritis Back Injury Spinal Cord
Injury
Primary Agriculture Operation Primary Disability Type
Two Success Stories in Oklahoma
B
ill farms approximately 500 acres in southwest Oklahoma where he
provides custom fertilizer application services, prepares seed beds and
top dresses wheat for other farmers. Following four accidents, he
experienced decreased strength, endurance and sensation in his hands, and
had difficulty working with his equipment. A computer kit and accessories using
GPS technology to monitor fertilizer application and avoid waste, combined
with an automatic steering kit allowing for hands-free tractor operation,
provided accommodations for continued success in his farming operation. As
Bill relates “I would probably be trying to quit farming if it weren’t for the help I received from Oklahoma
AgrAbility.”
Bill’s success story celebrates the coordination of AgrAbility funding opportunities with DRS and Oklahoma
Assistive Technology Foundation’s Access to Telework Fund Program for Big Country Wagon funding.
J
oua Kao and his wife live on three acres in northeast Oklahoma. They grow fruits
and vegetables to sell at a local farmer’s market. A heart condition impacts Joua
Kao from participating in strenuous activity such as lifting and hauling heavy
materials. They have two hoop houses and 50 rows of plants dedicated to growing a
wide variety of produce including: squash, zucchini, green beans, mustard greens,
garlic, cilantro, sugar peas, spinach, tomatoes, rice, broccoli, brussels sprouts, okra,
eggplant, sweet basil, Thai pepper, strawberries and lettuce.
A hydraulic-lift table was identified to assist Joua Kao. Funding for the lift table was
made possible by an Assistive Technology grant for Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers
with Disabilities from the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT).
AgrAbility Partners
Oklahoma AgrAbility
1514 W. Hall of Fame • Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
www.agrability.okstate.edu • Phone: 888-885-5588
Email: ability@okstate.edu
Request educational outreach @ 405-744-6882
Oklahoma AgrAbility Annual Report is provided by the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project, 1514 West Hall of Fame Stillwater, OK 74078; 405-744-2398; www.agrability.okstate.edu. The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project is a joint
effort of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma ABLE Tech, Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation and the Langston University School of Physical Therapy. Mention or display of a trademark,
proprietary product or firm does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma State University, Langston University or the National AgrAbility Project, and does not imply approval to
the exclusion of other suitable products or firms. Oklahoma State University and Langston University, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the
Education Amendment of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a
veteran in any of their policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. This publication is issued by Oklahoma State University as
authorized by the Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and has been prepared at $420.00 for 1,000 copies by USDA-NIFA grant #2010-41590-20754.