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:
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[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:
The Colorado AgrAbility Project promotes success in agriculture for people with disabilities or other physical challenges and their families. Colorado AgrAbility is part of a nationwide network of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs begun through the 1990 Farm Bill. Colorado AgrAbility works in collaboration with Colorado State University and Goodwill Industries of Denver. This grant was recently renewed for an additional three years. DVR continues to work in partnership with the AgrAbility Project to assist farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and their family members with disabilities, so they can continue to have successful careers in agriculture. DVR counselors collaborate closely with the AgrAbility Project staff to develop recommendations to ensure individuals with disabilities can safely and effectively continue successful agricultural employment. These recommendations often include the use of assistive technology or other accommodations allowing the eligible individual to work in agriculture. Additionally, DVR and AgrAbility jointly provide information, including workshops, to farmers, ranchers and family members with disabilities and other pertinent individuals who would benefit from this information. Topics addressed during recent workshops sponsored by AgrAbility include an overview of the AgrAbility Project, Mental Wellness for Rural Farm Families, Aging in Place, and Financial Issues Affecting Farmers. Topics and content are developed based on the issues that are relevant for the local community at that time. AgrAbility holds workshops in various areas of the state. AgrAbility also consistently provides updated program information to individual DVR offices throughout the state to ensure all staff are informed of this important resource.
Individuals seeking agricultural employment are able to access the full scope of vocational rehabilitation services and work closely with a Rehabilitation Counselor to determine the nature and scope of services necessary to achieve the agreed upon employment outcome. The assessment completed by AgrAbility plays a key role in assisting the Rehabilitation Counselor to provide effective counseling and guidance services during plan development and throughout service provision to support client success. Often assistive technology and training on the use of this technology is a critical component of an individual's employment success within agriculture, along with business consultation and restoration services.