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AgrAbility says 'thank you'Oklahoma The Oklahoma AgrAbility project honored key proponents of the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project Act at a recent luncheon. Rep. John Enns and Sen. Patrick Anderson received a plaque for their work on the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project Act that became a law in November 2007. "The Oklahoma AgrAbility Program has served as a model for many states because of its success, and this success comes from the help of the Advisory Council and key individuals like Rep. Enns and Sen. Anderson," said Ray Huhnke, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service agricultural engineer. "It is programs like AgrAbility that bring greater opportunities to individuals and improve their quality of life." Enns developed a personal tie to AgrAbility after he received a spinal cord injury in a 2004 farm accident. "AgrAbility has helped me get back to working on the farm with assistive technologies and modifications," Enns said. "With the aid this program has given me, it is an honor and privilege to do something to give back to an organization with such a good cause. I am very impressed with the professionalism of AgrAbility." Oklahoma AgrAbility was created in 2002 to provide education and resources for Oklahoma agricultural workers who have disabilities and wish to continue working in agriculture. AgrAbility's services include education, support and technical assistance for work site modifications, as well as education and resources for health care and Extension professionals. Oklahoma is fortunate to have a program of this caliber, said Anderson. "I really appreciate all the work that is done for AgrAbility and it is a great honor to be a part of it," he said. "Hopefully, with the help of the Advisory Council and Rep. Enns, this project can be taken to new levels and expanded to Oklahomans in need, so they can maintain their way of life." AgrAbility staff members are available to perform on-site assessments to determine needs for modifications, assist in finding services and funding through local and state agencies and present programs relating to AgrAbility services and disability issues. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma ABLE Tech and the Langston University Center for Outreach Programs have partnered to provide AgrAbility services to nearly 100 families, train more than 125 health care professionals and reach more than 6,000 people through outreach programs since 2002. Oklahoma AgrAbility is one of 25 state AgrAbility projects funded through USDA grants and assisted by the National AgrAbility Project, which was created in the 1990 farm bill. For more information, call 888-885-5588 (voice/TDD) or visit www.agrability.okstate.edu.
Date: 2/7/08
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