AgrAbility provides an on-farm consultive service and technical assistance to farmers/ranchers to address employment barriers to increase the likelihood of remaining working in agriculture. 

Referrals may come from AgrAbility or as a self referral to VR.

1. Conduct an Employment Discussion Initial Meeting with the farmer/rancher at his farm/ranch, if possible. Assist him/her in understanding Address the following:
   •  Ensure individual has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and VR is considering accommodating permanent restrictions, not temporary restrictions due to recovery.
   • Determine the individual's employment status (self-employed, partnership or employee):
     • ​​​​​​​Self-employment: Generate excess cash flow from profitable operations by providing specific goods, products or billable services through at least 51% ownership of the business; earn income directly from one's own trade or profession. Requires an assessment of the viability of the farm/ranch operation prior to moving forward with services.
     • Partnership: Self-employed, but does not own the majority of the business. Requires an assessment of the viability of the farm/ranch operation and consideration will also be given to partners contributing towards the worksite modifications used by all employees.
     • Employee: By law, employers are responsible for reasonable accommodations on the worksite. VR needs to determine if there is a need for VR services in this situation or if the employer needs information to explore available resources. Employer will need to be involved in the assessment process, work site accommodation and financial contribution. 
   • Explore with the client the need for rehabilitation technology, assistive devices, adaptation, home, vehicle and/or work modifications.
   • VR, AgrAbility and sometimes ATP work collaboratively to address the needs of farmers/ranchers experiencing disabilities, but VR is solely responsible for determining if it can support a vocational goal of farming/ranching. This determination will be based on an assessment of the farmer/rancher’s disability
   • VR can only assist with the purchase of accommodations and adaptive equipment that will correct, compensate, or circumvent the limitations resulting from the disability.
2. Determine viability of business for individuals who are determined to be self-employed (sole owner or partnership).
   • If the business is determine not to be viable VR cannot agree with the vocational goal of farmer/rancher or support self employment as a farmer/rancher.​​​​​​​ moved to last bullet 
   • Explain the rationale and procedure for determining financial viability of the farm/ranch.
   • Obtain the three (3) most recent year's tax returns and three (3) most recent financial sheets (balance sheets that show assets and liabilities).
   • Text or call Glen Rauert (glenn@hamilton.net) (402-631-7245) to set up financial viability study.
   • Scan and email the tax forms and financial statements  to Glen Rauert include the specialist's name, email address and phone number.
   • Authorize four (4) hours at $75 per hour for viability study in QE2 under Assessment Support – Self-employment consultation
   • Do not refer to AgrAbility until financial viability in completed.
   • If the business is determine not to be viable, VR cannot agree with the vocational goal of farmer/rancher or to support self employment as a farmer/rancher, but can consider employment and services for other feasible occupations.
3. Refer a farmer/rancher to AgrAbility for a worksite assessment upon the completion of the application process. Authorize $2000 for Rehab Technology-Rehab Engineering assessment support and for mileage (NDE rate) to the farm/ranch site to AgrAbility as part of referral process. Payment for hotel may be authorized at state rate.

• Enter Assessment Service-Supports in QE2.
• Complete AgrAbility Referral form

4. Accompany the AgrAbility staff to the farm/ranch prior to AgrAbility completing the Assessment and Recommendation Report in order to be a part of discussions and decisions regarding recommended accommodations and assistive devices.
5. Refer to ATP if there is a need for home or personal vehicle modifications to ensure the farmer/rancher will be able to function independently. Add the Assessment Support service of Rehab Technology-Rehab Engineering with ATP as the provider.
6. Review AgrAbility and/or ATP Report(s) with the client. & Approve for payment. Report(s) should contain the following information:

• Reason for the assessment
• Business description and employment situation 
• Disability and limitations Impairment and barriers
• Essential job duties and how often preformed
• Assistive technology recommendations and justifications
• Recommended vendors
• Cost estimates.
• If AgrAbility determines that no accommodations are available or feasible for a return to farming/ranching, the invoice is paid. Client may not benefit from services if another job goal is not appropriate and cannot return to farming.

4. Review ATP Report, if referred, which should contain the following information.​​​​​​​

• Independent living needs
• Recommendations
• Comparable benefits
• Cost estimates [Refer to ATP/VR Partnership Manual Chapter]

4. Determine appropriateness of vocational goal using staff observation, information provided by the individual, medical information, as well as the AgrAbility staff assessment contained in the Assessment and Recommendation Report.
5. Ensure the recommended accommodations and assistive devices are necessary for the farmer/rancher to perform essential functions of the job and are not solely for convenience and efficiency.
6. Determine scope of services, if goal is appropriate and business is viable.
   • Can fund those items related to the farmer/rancher’s disability to maintain employment.
   • Address comparable services and benefits.
   • Can purchase up to the $6000 (fee schedule amount) per item for assistive devices-non-prescriptive for business related expenditures. (Rule 72, Section 009.02B, 009.02C, 009.02D) 
   • Determine client contribution. Voluntary, but all individuals need to be asked to participate in the cost of services. 
   • Follow VR procedures for authorizing services. Purchase of Goods and Services attached. 
   • If item(s) exceeds the fee schedule, see Rule 72 Exceptions 
7. Resolve any disagreement between VR, AgrAbility, and/or the farmer/rancher as to the appropriateness of the vocational goal, the viability of the business, the technology, and the accommodations VR is willing to fund. If the disagreement cannot be resolved the farmer/rancher will be informed of the Client Assistance Program and the mediation process.
8. Develop IPE if the VR determines the goal to be appropriate, the farm/ranch to a viable business and the goods and services are necessary.
9. Authorize for the necessary accommodations and assistive devices once the IPE is approved.
10. Authorize mileage for AgrAbility to travel to ensure assistive devices have been secured, modifications completed and any equipment provided is working properly and is being used by the farmer/rancher correctly.
11. Follow-up with ATP, Agrability and the client to ensure all modifications and equipment is working properly and is being used by farmer/rancher correctly.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and AgrAbility staff are to work collaboratively in serving farmers/ranchers with a disability.

VR can consider accommodation services to assist the individual in maintaining employment in agriculture.

Self-employment business expansion or start up services require the individual to follow the self-employment service procedures. VRIS Self-Employment

VR staff are solely responsible for determining if VR can support a vocational goal of farming/ranching.

ATP/VR Referral

Agrability Referral

Viability Referral

Service & Device Application - English

Service & Device Application - Spanish

Impediment Questions