Life Essentials Lift

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FARMING AND RANCHING WITH A DISABILITY Therese
Willkomm, Ph.D., Technical Director, National
AgrAbility Project University of
Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension
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The National AgrAbility Project is administered
by USDA-Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service.
CSREES promotes the application of research,
science, and technology to meet the needs of all
agricultural producers where they live and work.
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Nationwide, approximately 288,000 agricultural
workers between the ages of 15 and 79 have a
disability that affects their ability to perform
one or more essential tasks.
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Currently, eighteen state AgrAbility Projects
engage Extension educators, disability experts,
rural professionals, and volunteers in offering
an array of services, including
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Services Provided

• Information and Referral
• On-site technical assistance
• Training for extension educators and service
  providers
• Peer support networks
• Secondary injury prevention education

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Types of Disabilities

• 23 Orthopedic-related disabilities due to
  arthritis, joint replacements, or injuries to the
  back, extremities or joints
• 16 Amputations including upper and lower
  extremities
• 13 Neuromuscular disorders including multiple
  sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, polio, cerebral
  palsy, ALS, Epilepsy, and strokes
• 21 Spinal Cord injuries
• 27 Other disabling conditions

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Causes of the Disability
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Age Groups
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Other Statistics

• 88 of those receiving services were owner
  /operators verses 12 who were employees
• 15 of those receiving services were female

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Barriers

• Lack of information on effective worksite
  accommodation
• Economic constraints
• Isolation from needed services
• Lack of trained professionals

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• Lack of financial resources to pay for needed
  accommodations
• Negative attitudes of others about the ability
  of agricultural workers with disabilities to
  continue a high-risk physically demanding
  occupation
• At risk of acquiring secondary injuries or
  secondary conditions

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The degree to which an agricultural worksite
modification maximizes the abilities of the
producer and reduces risk of secondary injuries
depends on the following factors.
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1. The severity of the producers disability and
associated secondary complications.
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2. The producers medical history regarding the
disability and his or her current prognosis.
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3. The nature of the agricultural production
tasks to be performed.
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4. The skills and abilities of the producer with
a disability.
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5. The availability of caregivers or co-workers.
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6. The availability of needed worksite
modifications and funding to pay for them.
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7. The age of the producer.
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8. The skills of the individuals making the
worksite modifications or providing needed
services.
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Risks will always be present in agricultural
production, therefore, they should be made as
clear as possible so that workers affected by
them can make informed choices in their regard.
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Preventing Prosthetic Entanglement
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Risk to Co-workers
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Risk of Secondary Injury
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Risk to Caregivers
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Challenges in Meeting Needs

• Changes in medical status
• Acquired secondary injuries or conditions
• Changes in the farm economy
• Changes in the individual goals
• Lack of funding
• Lack of assistance from co-workers or care givers
• Lack of needed expertise

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Challenges in Providing Services

• Availability of qualified personnel
• Isolation
• Limited resources
• Ongoing needs for staff development

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Factors that could Benefit Agricultural Producers
with Disabilities in the Future

• Changes in agriculture
• Improvements in technology
• Improved service delivery mechanisms

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Effective job restructuring techniques
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Alternative agriculture ventures
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Implementation of universal design principles
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Life Essentials Lift
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Advances in Assistive Technology
The Otto Bock C-Leg microprocessor controlled
hydraulic knee with on-board sensor technology
that reads and adapts to the individual's every
move
The IBOT 3000 Chair
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The application of new telecommunication
technologies

• Provide consultations using real-time
  video-conferencing equipment
• Send information to others instantly
• Research needed information on the web
• Communicate with peer support volunteers

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• Capture and transmit images instantly
• Increase timeliness in service provision
• Reduce costs associated with service delivery
• Participate in distance learning events that will
  increase skills

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Funding for identified needs

• Advocate for needed funding to pay for
  recommended equipment and modifications
• Ticket-to-Work program
• Low interest loans to pay for needed worksite
  modifications

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Success and Outcomes of AgrAbility for Farmers
and Ranchers with Disabilities

• An increase in ability to perform current or new
  work tasks.
• A decreased potential for farmers/ranchers,
  co-workers, or family members to acquire a
  secondary injury.
• An increase in independence at home and in the
  community.