Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan [13] must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA:
__________
[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
- c. Cooperative Agreements with Agencies Not Carrying Out Activities Under the Statewide Workforce Development System
Describe interagency cooperation with and utilization of the services and facilities of agencies and programs that are not carrying out activities through the statewide workforce development system with respect to:
- c. Cooperative Agreements with Agencies Not Carrying Out Activities Under the Statewide Workforce Development System
c. 3. Programs carried out by the Under Secretary for Rural Development of the Department of Agriculture;
Current Narrative:
Although DRS does not maintain a formal agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development, it provides rehabilitation services as necessary to eligible migrant and seasonal farm workers with disabilities. Another available resource is the WV AgrAbility Project, a USDA–funded program established to assist farmers and farm families who need to find ways to accommodate their disabilities in order to remain active in agriculture.
DRS shares the vision of WV AgrAbility that is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America. More specifically, “success” may include: gainful employment in production agriculture or a related occupation; access to appropriate assistive technology needed for work and daily living activities; evidence-based information related to the treatment and rehabilitation of disabling conditions; and targeted support for family caregivers of WV AgrAbility customers. WV AgrAbility addresses a wide variety of disabling conditions in agriculture, including, but not limited to:
- Arthritis
- Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Back impairments
- Amputations
- Brain injury
- Visual impairments
- Hearing impairments
- Disabling diseases
- Cerebral palsy
- Respiratory impairments
- Head injury
WV AgrAbility continues to work with DRS in advocating for services for WV farmers. WV AgrAbility also provides training for allied health professionals on farm culture, how to tailor treatments to the farmer, and using assistive technology on the farm for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists. WV AgrAbility continues advocacy efforts with DRS, positively impacting DRS’ view on agriculture in WV as a viable self-employment option.
If a WV AgrAbility participant becomes a DRS consumer, they may receive vocational rehabilitation services to help them reach their employment goal. Services may include:
- Evaluation and assistance in purchasing recommended adaptive devices
- Assistive technology
- Rehabilitation technology
- Home, business and/or vehicle modification
- Assistance for vocational training
- Physical or mental health restoration
- Self-employment and business-related services, if applicable