Berkeley Policy Associates and the National Center for Farmworker Health (formerly the National Migrant Resource Program) worked together to conduct a project that would improve rehabilitation services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. The study had the following objectives:

• To provide updated information on disabilities and chronic conditions among migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs), using primary data collection as well as analysis of existing data.
• To provide information on the use of rehabilitation services by migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and identify barriers to service access for this population through primary data collection from MSFWs and service providers.
  
• To provide information on practices that improve access to rehabilitation services use for MSFWs with disabilities through case study information about successful cases.
  
• To identify rehabilitation service needs of MSFWs with disabilities and their families, through primary data collection from MSFWs and service providers.
  
• To identify needs for coordination between providers of migrant and special education services to farmworker children with disabilities and the vocational rehabilitation system.
  
• To develop dissemination materials for MSFWs and the service providers who work with this population, to improve understanding of and access to the vocational rehabilitation system.
  
• To develop training materials for vocational rehabilitation counselors about the needs of migrant and seasonal farmworkers with disabilities.
  
• To identify future research needs related to this population and the training needs of professionals providing vocational rehabilitation services to MSFWs.
  

The project used the following methodologies: (1) primary data collection at a sample of Migrant Health Clinics, using in-person interviews of farmworkers; (2) case study visits to a sample of ten states, including interviews with a variety of service providers involved with farmworkers, as well as farmworkers in these service systems; and (3) analysis of existing data on disabilities and chronic conditions among farmworkers, and review of existing studies on providing services to this population. Information collected was disseminated to a number of audiences: (1) MSFWs and the service providers who serve them in specialized migrant services, including Migrant Health Center clinicians and teachers in Migrant Education programs; (2) vocational rehabilitation counselors; and (3) researchers studying farmworkers.

Publications:

When a Farmworker has a Disability: A Guide for Providers with Handouts for Farmworkers (Nov, 1997)
Developed to assist health care providers in their role as advocates for farmworkers with disabilities. Available from the National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. (512) 328-7682 http://www.ncfh.org/rehab.htm

Farmworkers and Disability: Results of a National Survey (Jun, 1997)
Describes the findings of a national study of farmworkers with disabilities. Includes an overview of the kinds of disabilities that farmworkers experience and the range of their service needs and sheds light on the issue of disability among farmworkers and their children.

Providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers: A Booklet for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (Jun, 1997) (PDF:247KB)
A guide for VR counselors that contains background materials about farmworkers, including characteristics, working conditions, and types of disabilities. Describes barriers faced by farmworkers when using social services and gives suggestions for addressing these barriers. Available in hard copy