AgrAbility PA - Assists farmers and other agricultural workers with disabilities or long-term health conditions by linking them to the resources and providing support they need to live independently and to continue working in or return to production agriculture. Support includes on-site farm assessments, identification of assistive technology, information, education, referrals, and support navigating service providers. AgrAbility does not provide financial assistance but can assist you in navigating third party funding options.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) - Provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. Services include counseling, training, assistive technology implementation and support services. For eligible individuals OVR can provide financial assistance towards assistive technology, training, or diagnostic services.

Together AgrAbility and OVR strive to support farmers with disabilities as they return to or continue in farming as their occupation.
AgrAbility and OVR are independent programs, but often work together to provide holistic services and support to farmers and agricultural workers. Eligibility for each program is determined separately and individuals may choose to work with one or both programs. However, many farmers find great success by working with both AgrAbility and OVR. The best success is achieved when the individual receiving services educates themself about the process and actively participates in each part of the process.
Each individual working with AgrAbility and OVR will have a unique plan and services, but here is the general process:

1. Contact AgrAbility by phone (814-867-5288), email (AgrAbilityPA@psu.edu), or website to start the process.
2. AgrAbility staff will conduct a primary interview over the phone (alternate format if needed).
3. You may be referred to OVR for additional services.
4. Review the OVR handbook that will be provided to you in your welcome packet.
5. Contact your local OVR office, request to fill out an application for services. It is helpful to have your social security number available when applying.
6. Fill out the application and follow the steps outlined by OVR to submit the application.
7. Work with your OVR counselor to provide the required information, identification, and medical records.
8. Develop a plan for services with your OVR counselor.
9. As part of your plan, AgrAbility will provide an on-farm assessment by the AgrAbility Case Coordinator and an evaluation by an occupational therapist.
10. Please provide any follow-up needed after the assessment such as completing assistive technology testing, submitting paperwork, or trying a new routine.
11. AgrAbility Case Coordinator will write a recommendation report and provide it to your OVR counselor.
12. The counselor will review the report with you.
13. OVR will determine which accommodations can be implemented.
14. OVR will send out bids and purchased approved items. Continue working with AgrAbility for any additional assistive technology needs or if more financial assistance is needed.
    Expected timeline: Each case is unique, and each step of the process takes a variable amount of time, but some timeframes to help gauge what to expect in the process include:
    • AgrAbility staff will work with you to set up an initial interview within one to two weeks of contacting AgrAbility for services. Your eligibility will be determined during the interview.
    • OVR operates on a ‘rapid engagement’ model, which means that the goal is to help customers with a plan for services within 90 days. Your active involvement in this process is crucial.
    • Once eligibility for each program is determined, you will begin taking steps to complete your individualized plan for services. This can take several months to over a year depending on your needs and plan.
    • If assistive technology is being implemented, this can take several months to a year for implementation. It is important to understand this can take time and to be patient with the process.
    It is vital to your success that you take an active role in the process while working with both organizations. Best practices for self-advocacy include:
15. Learn about both organizations and the different roles they play.
16. Communicate frequently with the AgrAbility case coordinator.
17. Communicate frequently with your OVR counselor.
18. Keep a file of information that includes contact information, paperwork, list of questions you may have, meeting dates, and important documents.
19. Provide required information in a timely manner.
20. Complete any assigned tasks in a timely manner.
21. Ask lots of questions.
22. Advocate for yourself.
    Contact AgrAbility PA today to get started.

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians Project is supported under USDA/NIFA Special Projects 2021-41590-34811 in collaboration with Penn State Extension. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and USDA.
For more information, visit agrabilitypa.org or contact AgrAbility PA at agrability@psu.edu or 814-867-5288.