Disability-Inclusive Competency Needs of Agricultural Extension Agents

This study sought to describe the competency needs of extension professionals to deliver disability-inclusive extension advisory services using the Borich Needs Assessment Model. A descriptive survey was used to collect data on the competency tasks related to disability-inclusive extension services from 528 agricultural extension agents (AEA), and analyzed using means ranks, discrepancy score (DS), weighted discrepancy score (WDS), and mean weighted discrepancy score (MWDS). The findings showed extension agents’ competency levels were very low in most of the areas examined. Noticeable areas where the extension agents need training include skills pertinent to disability inclusion and expertise in designing and implementing disability-inclusive technologies. Our findings provide direction on topics for curriculum emphasis for the training of extension agents.