Affiliations: Executive Director, National Institute of Speech and Hearing, Kerala State, India | Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA | Counselor, Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services, IN, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Professor W.E. Field, Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University, ABE Building, 225 South University Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2093, USA. Tel.: +1 765 494 1191; Fax: +1 765 496 1356; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: As a federal-state partnership to rehabilitate individuals with mental and physical disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services operate under state oversight in all states of the USA. State and Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAP) and the lead agency National AgrAbility Project (NAP) are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist in the rehabilitation of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers with disabilities across the country and have regular interaction with VR regarding services provided to customers. AgrAbility projects currently operate in 24 states. This study was intended to assess the benefits and challenges of this association from the perspective of the SRAP personnel and was conducted through telephone interviews with SRAP service providers based on a prepared questionnaire. The questions focused on the current status as well as expectations regarding future relationships as seen by AgrAbility staff. The results from the study revealed that interaction in each state is different but all have demonstrated benefits for clientele. The different perspectives and unique experiences of study participants can be used to enhance future relationships between the agencies and provide better service for customers.
