Affiliations: Berkeley Planning Associates, Oakland, CA, USA
Note: [] MPP, MA, Principal Analyst, Berkeley Planning Associates, 440
Grand Avenue, Suite 500, Oakland, CA 94610, USA. Tel.: +1 510 465 7884; Fax: +1
510 465 7885; E-mail: marlene@bpacal.com
Abstract: This paper describes the findings of a national study of farmworkers
with disabilities. BPA conducted an in-person survey with a purposive sample of
201 adult farmworkers with disabilities and 66 disabled children in farmworker
families in six states. Results show that adult and child farmworkers
experienced a wide range of disabilities. Adults most commonly experienced back
problems and other musculoskeletal problems. Children most commonly experienced
developmental delays. However, both groups experienced a wide range of
physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities, including chronic health
problems. The survey also asked about service recognition and use. While
farmworkers recognized and utilized a wide range of farmworker-specific and
mainstream services, they used very few disability-related services, such as
vocational rehabilitation and special education. Understanding more about
farmworkers' views of disability would help disability service agencies improve
outreach to this population.
Keywords: farmworkers, service utilization, vocational rehabilitation
