Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities
and Their Families
| Summer 2006, Vol. 6, No. 4 |
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State Project Feature – Mississippi AgrAbility Project
The Mississippi AgrAbility Project began nine years ago in the spring of 1997. The current partnership links Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MRDS), T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, Alcorn State University Extension Program, and Methodist Orthotics and Prosthetics Lab.
This strong partnership, along with exceptional support from the MSU Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department through development of demonstration equipment, has made Mississippi AgrAbility successful. MRDS is the primary source of funding for adaptive equipment and assistive technology for Mississippi clients. It, along with the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, provides critical evaluations for clients in areas of seating, driving, home modifications, communication, and assistive technology.
New partner organizations, Alcorn State University Extension Program and Methodist Orthotics and Prosthetics, have taken AgrAbility to areas previously underserved. They enrich the program with their services to those in the disability community who deal with diabetes and amputations and to those in the southern Delta area where Alcorn’s Extension Program is active.
The Mississippi AgrAbility Project staff work well together, and as many as possible (and appropriate) are involved in site visits. This gives the client a complete scope of services in a timely manner. Mississippi AgrAbility site visits also include the client’s extension agent and vocational rehabilitation counselor. Clients participate in and have access to the peer support network and are highlighted in the newsletter.
Mississippi ’s project has also offered mini-grant opportunities to the public to increase awareness of disability issues. One group constructed accessible gardening structures and another constructed accessible hunting sheds at a game reserve.
Mississippi is working with the National AgrAbility Project to host the National AgrAbility Training Workshop (NTW) in Jackson, Mississippi. The NTW will be held November 13-16, 2006 at the Jackson Hilton. Two Mississippi clients are participating as presenters in the 2006 NTW and more clients will be serving on the Farmers’ Panel during the Monday night program.
Mississippi AgrAbility Staff
Mississippi State University-Extension
Herb Willcutt , project director, provides overall project administration, supervision, and coordination of project activities with partners. Herb coordinates educational events and the development/production of informational/promotional materials. Herb is employed by MSU-Extension Service/Ag Engineering. He has worked for AgrAbility nine years and MSU-Extension twenty-two and a half years. Emily Knight, program assistant, manages case files and coordinates client visits. She develops newsletters, staffs the exhibit booth, and makes presentations to various groups. Emily is employed by MSU-Extension Service/Ag Engineering, where she has been working for AgrAbility for nine years. Mary Riley, 4-H Therapeutic Riding coordinator, assists with mini-grant projects. She staffs the exhibit booth and presents at workshops. Mary coordinates activities related to the therapeutic riding program. She has been employed by MSU-Extension Service/4-H for nine years. This is Mary’s first year working with AgrAbility.
T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability
Cliff Dedeaux , occupational therapist (OTR/L), provides assistance with assistive technology evaluations. He participates in statewide and regional educational events. Cliff is employed by the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, where he has been working with AgrAbility for three years.
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
Kris Geroux , assistive technology coordinator, coordinates AgrAbility awareness, training, and networking within the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. He assists in coordinating, scheduling, and evaluating clients. Kris has worked for the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for seven years and has been working with AgrAbility for six years. Jimmy McDaniel, rehabilitation technologist, provides assistive technology evaluations to clients and makes proper recommendations to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Jimmy is employed by Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, where he has been working for thirty-one years and with AgrAbility for four years. Patsy Galtelli , special projects officer with Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, assists Kris and Jimmy with budgetary expenses.
Alcorn State University-Extension
Anthony Reed , small farm outreach/farm management specialist, coordinates all AgrAbility efforts for ASU and its employees. He has worked with the Alcorn State University Extension Program for six years and one year with AgrAbility.
Methodist Orthotics and Prosthetics
Chris Wallace , clinical coordinator/director of prosthetics and orthotics, oversees the coordination and implementation of educational in-services, client screenings, consultations, media releases, and other activities relative to AgrAbility. Chris is employed by Methodist Orthotics and Prosthetics, where he has been for five years. Chris joined AgrAbility this year. Luly Johnson, outreach representative, coordinates educational in-services, media releases, educational materials, and exhibits at various functions. She has been employed by Methodist Orthotics and Prosthetics for two years. This is her first year with AgrAbility. Jennifer Long, clinical manager, educates through in-services, marketing events, trade shows, and one-on-one meetings. She has been employed by Methodist Orthotics and Prosthetics for six years and AgrAbility for one year. Darby Shook, clinician, assists with in-services and educational writing for AgrAbility. She is employed by Methodist Orthotics and Prosthetics, where she has been for five years. Darby has been with AgrAbility for one year.
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