Referrals may come from AgrAbility or as a self referral.

1. Conduct an Employment Discussion with the farmer/rancher at his farm/ranch if possible. Assist him/her in understanding the following:

   • VR, AgrAbility and sometimes ATP work collaboratively to address the needs of farmers/ranchers experiencing disabilities.
   • 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 as well as an assessment of the viability of the farm/ranch operation.
   • 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. 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 Q E2.

3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Review AgrAbility Report & Approve for payment. Report should contain the following information:

   • Reason for the assessment
   • Employment situation
   • Disability and limitations*
   • Assistive technology recommendations
   • 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. [AgrAbility Referral Form]

6. 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]

7. 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.
8. Determine viability of business. VR staff may decide if the farm/ranch is a viable business or make a referral to the Abilities Fund to complete a feasibility study. If the farmer/rancher is currently completing, or has completed, a financial analysis through another resource such as the Department of Agriculture Mediation Centers or Farm Service Agency this information would be used to determine the viability of the farm/ranch and a referral to Abilities Fund would not be necessary.

   • 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.

9. 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.
10. Determine scope of services if goal is appropriate and business is viable.

    • Can fund those items related to the farmer/rancher’s disability.
    • Can purchase up to the $6000 (fee schedule amount) for business related expenditures. (Rule 72, Section 009.02B, 009.02C, 009.02D)

11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Authorize for the necessary accommodations and assistive devices once the IPE is approved.
14. 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.
15. Follow-up with ATP 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 staff are solely responsible for determining if VR can support a vocational goal of farming/ranching.