Section 4: State Project Feature The Delmarva AgrAbility Project

The Delmarva AgrAbility Project is a partnership between the University of Delaware Extension Service (UD) and Easter Seals Delaware. The Delmarva AgrAbility project combines the expertise of Ron Jester, Pam Turner and Sally Van Schaik.

Public Education Efforts

With the support of a local television station, Delmarva AgrAbility produced a public service announcement that aired for two months at various times throughout the day. Although no direct referrals have yet been identified, it has generated a great deal of interest in the Project and has provided invaluable public exposure.

Funding Initiatives

During the first quarter of 2001 Delmarva AgrAbility staff conducted two fundraising events to benefit a client who has muscular dystrophy. He needed funds to build a ramp onto his home and to purchase an accessible feeder system for his animals. Students from a local FFA chapter and an Animal Science Club helped with the events. A total of $862 was raised.

AgrAbility Project staff wrote a needs statement describing why resources are limited for their clients and how financial assistance would help them secure the assistive technology necessary for them to continue farming. Easter Seals then retained a grant writer to use the statement to create a proposal and identify potential funding sources to which the proposal could be submitted.

Levels of assistance provided to clients through funds raised as a result of this proposal will be based on level of need and clients may be asked to match a percentage of the contribution.

Collaborations with Outside Groups

As members of the planning committee for this year’s Annual Delaware Agricultural Safety and Health Fair, Project staff was successful in bringing in two new exhibitors. The Arthritis Foundation and the Mental Health Association each offered information on their agencies and demonstrated how they could support the rural community.

Van Schaik gave a presentation on stress and its impact on farm families. Project staff also served on the planning committee for the Safety Fair, which was directed at the agricultural community, held in February in Salisbury, MD

Meet the Delmarva Project Staff

Ron Jester, Ph.D., is the Safety Specialist with the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension Service and also a safety consultant for the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. Dr. Jester has served as the Co-director of the Delmarva AgrAbility Project since its inception.
Pam Turner joined Easter Seals in 1999 and assumed the role of Co-director of the AgrAbility Project. Her background in rehabilitation includes home health and the issues surrounding long-term disability and chronic health conditions. Turner has experience in assistive technology, particularly in the areas of wheeled mobility and tools for assisted activities of daily living.
Sally Van Schaik began working part-time as AgrAbility case manager in 1999. Her position soon became full time to meet the growing needs of the AgrAbility Project and to expand the client list. Van Schaik has an extensive background in social work with a special interest in mental health and stress issues as they relate to farm families.

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In This Issue
Section 1: Client Story—Filer Uses Pilot Lift to Access Tractor Section 2: Focus—Commercial Lifts Section 3: Assistive Technology Notes—Commercial Lifts	Section 4: State Project Feature—Delmarva Project Section 5: Tips for Preventing Slips or Falls When Using Tractor Chair Lifts Section 6: Contacts