Published: May 03, 2008 10:46 pm            

AgrAbility Day slated

The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project strives each year to increase the awareness about and meet the needs of Oklahoma agricultural producers with disabilities and their families.

AgrAbility Day at the Capitol is scheduled May 5, from 1 to 4 p.m., to increase state legislators’ awareness of agricultural producers who have disabilities and to highlight the importance of the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project. Linda Jaco, Oklahoma AgrAbility co-director, said Oklahoma AgrAbility clients will have the opportunity to explain to state legislators the impact of Oklahoma AgrAbility on their lives and its importance to the futures of other producers with disabilities.

“Our general purpose for AgrAbility Day at the Capitol is to educate legislators, allow former clients to share stories and let legislators get a better sense of who we are,” Jaco said. “We hope this will show the need for state support to provide additional services to our rural clients.”

In 2007, the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project Act became law. The act recognized Oklahoma AgrAbility as a state program and provided an avenue for state funds to be added to federal grant funds.

“We are seeking state appropriations to match the $200,000 federal monies,” Jaco said. “This money will assist with growing and expanding the program, which in turn will assist more farmers and ranchers across the state.”

State funds will be used to expand the service capacity of Oklahoma AgrAbility through additional staff members, increased educational activities, peer support network expansion and purchase of assistive technologies for clients. Jaco said exhibits and demonstrations showcasing the services and accomplishments of Oklahoma AgrAbility will be located on the fourth floor Rotunda of the Capitol building.

Legislative guides will be available to assist clients with navigating the Capitol building and speaking with their representative and senators. The schedule for the day includes registration in the Rotunda at 1 p.m., visit with legislators at 1:30 p.m., exhibits in the Rotunda at 2:30 p.m. and an equipment demonstration on the South Plaza at 3:30 p.m.

For additional information about participating, call 888-885-5588 or e-mail ability@okstate.edu.

The Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma ABLE Tech and Langston University have partnered to provide AgrAbility services to nearly 125 families, train nearly 150 health care professionals and reach more than 6,000 people through outreach programs since 2002.

Oklahoma AgrAbility is one of about 30 state AgrAbility projects funded through U.S. Department of Agriculture grants and assisted by the National AgrAbility Project, which was created in the 1990 Farm Bill.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.