Progress 04/15/10 to 04/14/15
Outputs
Target Audience: Audiences reached through Wyoming AgrAbility efforts included work-site assessments for 12 individuals. An additional 81 individuals received technical assistance. Educational presentations were given to approximately 4200 ranchers/farmers, consumers, agricultural and health care professionals, school-age youth, college students and faculty, OT/PTs, and IL and DVR staff. On average, there were approximately 1676 visitors to the Wyoming AgrAbility web site and 471 "likes" on Wyoming AgrAbility Facebook yearly. The blog site for Wyoming AgrAbility received 4878 hits on average per year. Also included were media efforts including general print media releases to 33 regional media outlets; targeted 30 second radio releases through Cowboy State News Network as part of national Salute to Ag day and National Farm Health and Safety week. In addition, there was a quarterly column on agricultural safety in the Wyoming Livestock Roundup news magazine. There were five editions (seven since Wyoming AgrAbility's inception) of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert through the Wyoming Press Association to 24 newspaper outlets with an estimated 129,000+ readership. Seven articles on health, safety, and disability appeared in each insert for a total of 35 articles. From 2010-2015 educational and technical efforts included assessments and technical assistance; educational presentations to producers, consumers, professionals and students; in-service education and regional/national webinar trainings; education information through press releases, newspaper insert, web-based fact sheets and electronic information delivery; bulletin and fact sheet distribution; educational exhibits on ranching and farming with injury and limitations and assistive technology for agriculture; An AgrAbility calendar; two 2014 marketing posters developed and distributed ; and Wyoming AgrAbility resource materials requested, distributed at conferences and trade shows, and mailed directly to target groups and consumers (23,198 pieces of information distributed). Overall, an average of 140,000 contacts--electronic, media, newspaper (though it is uncertain how many read the insert), written materials, in-person--were reached each year. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Individuals: Randolph R. Weigel, UW Extension, principal investigator/project director (retired Feb. 2015); project coordinators Kelly Dees (2009-2011), Mary Fick Monteith (2011-2012), Chelsea Hampton (2012-2013); Wendy Alameda, assistive technology specialist Wind Assistive Technology Resources (WATR); Sandy Root-Elledge, coordinator of disability services, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND); Rick Geringer, independent living specialist, Wyoming Independent Living (WIL); Corey McGregor, independent living manager, Wyoming Services for Independent Living (WSIL); Alan Ramage, independent living specialist (WSIL). Partner organizations: University of Wyoming Extension (UWE), WIND, WATR, WILR, WSIL. Research and Education Collaborators: UWE Communication and Technology, UW College of Agriculture Business Office, UW Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, UW Agricultural Experiment Station, Wyoming Geriatric Education Center, UW College of Health Sciences, UW College of Engineering, U. of North Dakota--Casper College, Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Training: For AgrAbility staff, IL specialists, OT/PTs, DVR counselors, and health care providers included National AgrAbility Virtual Training Workshops and NAP/AgriSafe/eExtension webinars on agriculture, safety, disability, and assistive technology, the AgrAbility National Training Workshops, Tri-state Rehabilitating ranchers and farmers, and Living Well with Disability facilitator training. For producers, health care professionals, social workers, college students and faculty included presentations/information on ranching and farming with injury (Annie's project), managing chronic pain and arthritis, sun safety for youth, preventing hearing loss, preventing osteoarthritis in youth, safety on using hand tools (experiment station field days), assistive technology devices (WATR demo days) and living well with a disability consumer workshops (WIL). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Enhancing an understanding of ranchers and farmers facing injury or limitation leading to disability occurred through information dissemination to many entities including county Extension offices, State and Regional AgrAbility projects, UW Colleges of Agriculture and Health Sciences faculty and students, Wyoming Assistive Technology Advisory Council, DVR counselors, IL specialists, Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, state veterinarians, senior centers, primary health care providers, agriculture professionals and more. Five editions of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert were written and inserted into 24 Wyoming newspaper outlets with an estimated annual readership of 129,000+. Wyoming AgrAbility produced a quarterly column for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup with a readership of 5800. In partnership with UW Extension, educational news articles were developed for the national Salute to Agriculture day and National Farm Health and Safety week and distributed statewide through Cowboy State News Network. Several AgrAbility publications continued to be distributed including the AgrAbility marketing brochures, the four Solutions for Living series bulletins, 15 AgrAbility fact sheets, National AgrAbility Project resource materials, Personal Nature of Agriculture, and Inclusive 4-H. Over 23,000 written pieces of educational information were distributed and an average of 140,000 contacts--electronic, media, newspaper, written materials, in-person--were reached during the 2010-2015 grant period. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact: From 2010-2015, Wyoming AgrAbility provided work-site visits to 12 individuals whose injury or limitation included falls from horses, roping accidents, ATV rollover,blindness due to diabetes,spinal injury due to wagon accident, and traumatic brain injury due to roping accident. Additionally, 81 individuals received technical assistance and information from AgrAbility staff.Assistance included squeeze chute modifications, gate opener options, van modifications, hand rail alternatives, portable ramps, car seat modifications,tractor auto hitch, saddle modifications, compromised immune system,living with arthritis, back pain, diabetes, Also, continuing to farrier following stroke; ideas for securing a personal oxygen tank in tractor cab; alternative writing devices for individual with ataxia; adaptive garden tools for person with limited hand strength; accessible fishing pontoon boats; navigation strategies for rancher with blindness; and horse mountingfor person with limited upper body strength. Program Priority 1 (EDUCATION)Objective 1.1.: Increase number of people trained about farming/ranching with injury, limitations and disability. Educational presentations and workshops were given to more than 4000 ranchers/farmers, agricultural and health care professionals, and college students and faculty. Topics included assistive technology in agriculture, arthritis, health and agriculture, hearing loss, living with chronic pain, and enabled gardening. One hundred twenty five ranchers and farmers attended the College of Agriculture research field-days learned about tools for the enabled garden, reducing hearing loss, and dangerous hand tools.Twenty five Independent Living specialists and 40 DVR counselors were trained on agriculture and assistive technology. In cooperation with Nebraska and Colorado AgrAbility, ten OT/PTs were trained on rehabilitating ranchers/farmers. Community presentations sponsored by Wyoming AgrAbility included Temple Grandin, world-renowned livestock handler (1800 attended); Ashlee Lundvall, Ms. Wheelchair U.S.A.;Therese Willkomm, U. of New Hampshire, and Amber Wolfe, Arthritis Foundation. Objective 1.2.: Increase awareness of assistive technology for AgrAbility applications. Educational exhibits informed the public and professionals about AgrAbility and assistive technology at Governor's Developmental Disability Conference, WY Department of Ag.--AgriFuture, UW Experiment Station field days, Wyoming Stock Growers, Women in Ag. Symposium, UW Consumer Issues Conference, WIND AT Demo Days, county health fairs, and other events.Fifteen AgrAbility fact sheets, four Solutions for Living bulletins, and several AgrAbility marketing brochures were developed, distributed, and posted to the Wyoming AgrAbility web page. Objective 1.3.: Increase knowledge about healthy living, health care and safety among ranching/farming individuals, families, and the general public. Living Well with Disability consumer workshops continued under the coordination of WILR. Five issues of the AgrAbility newspaper insert was inserted each year into 24 Wyoming newspaper outlets with an estimated statewide readership of 129,000. Wyoming AgrAbility staff gave two invited presentations at the AgrAbility National Training Workshop on accessible outdoor recreation and managing arthritis in cold weather. Program Priority 2 (NETWORKING AND INFORMATION) Objective 2.1.: Increase farming/ranching family and care providers awareness of programs, services, and funding available throughout the state. A data base of professionals who work with ranchers and farmers with disability to provide information and an outlet for referralwas developed. The AgrAbility project director participated in the WIND Assistive Technology Advisory Council to inform members about issues relating to agriculture and disability. Over 23,000 pieces of informational material disseminated to primary health care providers, occupational and physical therapists, IL specialists, DVR counselors, agriculture professionals, senior centers, Wyoming Community College agriculture instructors, FFA advisors, state veterinarians and chiropractors, UW Extension educators and AgrAbility consumers. Objective 2.3.: To coordinate rural volunteer resources, including peer support and care giver training. The Peer Volunteer Program Manager for WILR facilitated a monthly Living Well with Disability meeting for facilitators who completed the train the trainer course. Trainers continued orientation among WILR staff to enhance consumer recruitment for the class. Objective 2.4.: Increase number of contacts with members of new target audiences. The AgrAbility assistive technology specialist provided guest lectures on assistive technology and agriculture. The project director provided guest lectures on ranching and farming with disability. Program Priority 3 (ASSISTANCE) Objective 3.1.: Provide work-site assessments for ranchers, farmers, and families whose agricultural operations are impacted by a disability. Provided work-site assessments to 12 individuals. In addition, 81 individuals received technical assistance and information from AgrAbility staff. (See impacts above for information provided). Objective 3.2.: Increase understanding of assistive technology among farming/ranching families, professionals and family caregivers. Maintained assistive technology information and referral services through WIND Assistive Technology Resources (WATR) program. Through WATR's loan library, provided device loans to AgrAbility consumers and professionals who serve these consumers and caregivers. Through WILR, the Wyoming Technical Access Program (WYTAP) provided low interest loans to consumers, including AgrAbility consumers. WATR conducted five "Demo Days" for educators, health care, and agriculture professionals on assistive technology and augmentative communication devices. Two hundred (200) professionals attended. Program Priority 4 (MARKETING) Objective 4.1.: Increase the number of individuals, organizations, and agencies who know about Wyoming AgrAbility and ranching/farming with disability. Several AgrAbility publications continue to be disseminated. (See Other Products section for description of the AgrAbility publications.) Four Wyoming Signatures television spots highlighting the resilience of Wyoming AgrAbility consumers were co-produced by Wyoming AgrAbility and UW Television. They were broadcast on Wyoming Public Television and placed on the AgrAbility web page. Additional media efforts included general press releases to 33 regional media outlets, targeted 30 second radio releases through Cowboy State News Network as part of Salute to Ag. day and National Farm Health and Safety Week. AgrAbility staff provided a quarterly guest column in Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Readership is 5800. A 2013 Wyoming AgrAbility calendar featuring information on ranching and farming was commissioned by a young Wyoming artist, cowgirl, and stroke survivor. One thousand calendars were distributed. In 2014, the same artist produced five original paintings that were developed into marketing posters. Five hundred ninety posters distributed to date. Objective 4.2.: Increase general awareness via electronic communication of Wyoming AgrAbility and issues impacting ranchers and farmers. The Wyoming AgrAbility web site received a yearly average of 1767 visits, 471 new "likes" to the site's Facebook page and 4878 blog "hits".
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Weigel, R., & Hearne, A. (2010). Solutions for living: Everyday tools for ranchers and farmers B1184. Laramie, WY: University of Wyoming Extension.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Wyoming AgrAbility (2012). Six Years of AgrAbility. Laramie, WY: University of Wyoming Extension.
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Progress 04/15/14 to 04/14/15
Outputs
Target Audience: Audiences reached through Wyoming AgrAbility efforts included technical assistance to one individual on pickup lift for person with power wheel chair; educational presentations to approximately 240 ranchers/farmers, consumers, agricultural and health care professionals, school-age youth, college students, and faculty; approximately 1179 visitors to the Wyoming AgrAbility web site and 416 "looks" on Wyoming AgrAbility Facebook. The blog site for Wyoming AgrAbility received 3732 hits in 2014. Also included were media efforts including general print media releases to 33 regional media outlets; targeted 30 second radio releases through Cowboy State News Network as part of national Salute to Ag day; and a seventh edition of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert through the Wyoming Press Association to 24 newspaper outlets with an estimated 129,000+ readership. Educational and technical efforts included technical assistance; educational presentations to producers, consumers, professionals and students; in-service education and regional/national webinar trainings; education information through press releases, newspaper insert, web-based fact sheets and electronic information delivery; bulletin and fact sheet distribution; educational exhibits on ranching and farming with injury and limitations and assistive technology for agriculture; two 2014 marketing posters developed and distributed (590); and Wyoming AgrAbility resource materials requested, distributed at conferences and trade shows, and mailed directly to target groups and consumers (539 pieces of information distributed). Over 133,000 contacts--electronic, media, written materials, in-person--were reached during 2014-15. Changes/Problems: This is the final year of grant funding (2010-2015). Termination report will be filed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Individuals: Randolph R. Weigel, UW Extension, principal investigator/project director (retired Feb. 2015); Chelsea Hampton, project coordinator (resigned Sep. 2013); Wendy Alameda, assistive technology specialist Wind Assistive Technology Resources (WATR); Sandy Root-Elledge, coordinator of disability services, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND); Rick Geringer, independent living specialist, Wyoming Independent Living (WIL); Corey McGregor, independent living manager, Wyoming Services for Independent Living (WSIL); Alan Ramage, independent living specialist (WSIL). Partner organizations: University of Wyoming Extension (UWE), WIND, WATR, WILR, WSIL. Research and Education Collaborators: UWE Communication and Technology, UW College of Agriculture Business Office, UW Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, UW Agricultural Experiment Station, Wyoming Geriatric Education Center, UW College of Health Sciences, UW College of Engineering. Training: For AgrAbility staff, IL specialists, OT/PTs and health care providers included National AgrAbility Virtual Training Workshop and NAP/AgriSafe/eExtension webinars on agriculture, safety, disability, and assistive technology, and the AgrAbility National Training Workshop. For producers, health care professionals,college students and faculty included presentations/information on ranching and farming with injury (Annie's project), managing chronic pain and arthritis, sun safety for youth, safety on using hand tools (experiment station field days), assistive technology devices (WATR demo days) and living well with a disability consumer workshops. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Dissemination to Communities of Interest: Enhancing an understanding of ranchers and farmers facing injury or limitation leading to disability occurred through information dissemination to county Extension offices, State and Regional AgrAbility projects, UW College of agriculture faculty and students, and Wyoming Assistive Technology Advisory Council. A seventh edition of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert was written and inserted into 24 Wyoming newspaper outlets with an estimated readership of 129,000+. Wyoming AgrAbility produces a quarterly column for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup with a readership of 5800. In partnership with UW Extension, educational news articles were developed for the national Salute to Agriculture day and distributed statewide through Cowboy State News Network. Several AgrAbility publications continue to be distributed including the AgrAbility marketing brochure, the four Solutions for Living series bulletins and AgrAbility fact sheets. Five hundred thirty six written pieces of educational information were distributed. Over 133,000 contacts--electronic, media, written materials, in-person--were reached during 2014. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Current grant cycle ended April 14, 2015. Wyoming AgrAbility opted not to apply for another funding cycle. Establishing affiliate status for Wyoming AgrAbility (continuing to serve ranchers and farmers but receiving no AgrAbility funding) and transferring AgrAbility coordination from UW Extension to Wyoming Institute for Disabilities. Electronic presence will continue with Family & Consumer Sciences department providing coordination. Discussion on future of Wyoming AgrAbility ongoing. Termination report to be submitted.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impacts: Wyoming AgrAbility concluded the 2010-2014 grant funding cycle in April, 2014. This last year was spent spending down remaining carryover dollars, establishing affiliate status for Wyoming AgrAbility (continuing to serve ranchers and farmers but receiving no AgrAbility funding) and transferring AgrAbility coordination from UW Extension to Wyoming Institute for Disabilities. Electronic presence will continue with Family & Consumer Sciences department providing coordination. As of April 14, 2015, carryover dollars were terminated. Wyoming AgrAbility opted not to apply for another round of funding; though discussion on the future of Wyoming AgrAbility continues. Program Priority 1 (EDUCATION) Objective 1.1.: Increase number of people trained about farming/ranching with injury, limitations and disability. Educational presentations were given to approximately 240 ranchers/farmers, school-age youth, health care professionals, and college students and faculty. Topics included assistive technology for women in agriculture, living with chronic pain and arthritis, staying safe in the sun, and enabled gardening. Thirty five ranchers and farmers attending the College of Agriculture research field-days learned about the five most dangerous hand tools on the ranch and farm. Objective 1.2.: Increase awareness of assistive technology for AgrAbility applications. Educational exhibits continue to inform the public and professionals about AgrAbility and assistive technology at Governor's Developmental Disability Conference, WY Department of Ag.--AgriFuture, UW Experiment Station field day, Living and Working on the Land conference, WIND AT Demo Days and county health fairs reaching approximately 400 attendees. Objective 1.3.: Increase knowledge about healthy living, health care and safety among ranching/farming individuals, families, and the general public. Living Well with Disability continued to be coordinated in 2014 by WIL. Four consumer workshops with 20 attending were conducted. A seventh issue of the AgrAbility newspaper insert was inserted into 24 Wyoming newspaper outlets with an estimated statewide readership of 129,000. Informational articles included advanced health care directives, traumatic brain injury, ranching and farming after a stroke, medications and older adults, wheelchair considerations, horse riding with arthritis. Program Priority 2 (NETWORKING AND INFORMATION) Objective 2.1.: Increase farming/ranching family and care providers awareness of programs, services, and funding available throughout the state. A data base of professionals who work with ranchers and farmers with disability to provide information and an outlet for referral continued to be updated. The AgrAbility project director again participated in the WIND Assistive Technology Advisory Council to inform members about issues relating to agriculture and disability. Wyoming AgrAbility continues discussion with other disability support agencies on assistive technology funding and sustainability. Objective 2.3.: To coordinate rural volunteer resources, including peer support and care giver training. The Peer Volunteer Program Manager for WILR continues to facilitate a monthly Living Well with Disability meeting for facilitators who completed the train the trainer course. Trainers continue orientation among WILR staff to enhance consumer recruitment for the class. Objective 2.4.: Increase number of contacts with members of new target audiences. The AgrAbility assistive technology specialist continues to provide guest lectures on assistive technology and agriculture to UW psychology, health science, engineering, and education students. The project director provides guest lectures to students, staff and faculty in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources on ranching and farming with disability. A research/extension proposal on the impact of lifting tasks on spinal development in ranch/farm youth was developed and re-submitted by UW department of kinesiology and health and Wyoming AgrAbility. The proposal was not funded for a second time. A different funding source is being explored. Program Priority 3 (ASSISTANCE) Objective 3.1.: Provide work-site assessments for ranchers, farmers, and families whose agricultural operations are impacted by a disability. No work-site assessments were conducted in the carryover year. One person received technical assistance on pick-up lift designs for people using powered wheelchairs. Objective 3.2.: Increase understanding of assistive technology among farming/ranching families, professionals and family caregivers. Maintained assistive technology information and referral services through WIND Assistive Technology Resources (WATR) program. Through WATR's loan library, provided device loans to AgrAbility consumers and professionals who serve these consumers and caregivers. WATR conducted three (3) "Demo Days" for educators, health care, and agriculture professionals on assistive technology and augmentative communication devices. One hundred thirty seven (137)professionals attended. Program Priority 4 (MARKETING) Objective 4.1.: Increase the number of individuals, organizations, and agencies who know about Wyoming AgrAbility and ranching/farming with disability. AgrAbility brochures continue to be distributed statewide. Focus in 2014 were Extension educators, SRAPs, and Wyoming agricultural organizations. Several AgrAbility publications continue to be distributed including AgrAbility Quick Facts, Solutions for Living bulletins and Wyoming AgrAbility fact sheets. They were marketed to occupational and physical therapists, primary care physicians, ag-business dealers, IL specialists, agricultural and health professionals, Extension educators, and AgrAbility consumers. A fourth Wyoming Signatures television spot highlighting M.S. Wheelchair U.S.A. was co-produced by Wyoming AgrAbility and UW Television. Additional media efforts included general press releases to 33 regional media outlets, targeted 30 second radio releases through Cowboy State News Network as part of Salute to Ag. day; and a quarterly guest column in Wyoming Livestock Roundup on topics: safe use of ATVs, dangerous hand tools, back pain in agriculture and physical changes as we age. In 2014, Wyoming AgrAbility again commissioned a Wyoming artist and stroke survivor to develop two (2) marketing posters on: ranching and farming and disability, and outdoor recreation and disability. Currently 590 posters have been disseminated. Objective 4.2.: Increase general awareness via electronic communication of Wyoming AgrAbility and issues impacting ranchers and farmers. The Wyoming AgrAbility web site received 1179 visits, 416 "looks" to the site's Facebook page and 3732 blog "hits".
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Weigel, R., 2014, April. Your health, your safety, your lifestyle&is not expensive, its priceless! Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Lyttle, A. 2014. Advance health care directives.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Weigel, R., 2014. The 5 most dangerous tools and how to use them safely.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
National AgrAbility Project, 2014. Traumatic brain injury.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Jepsen, S., McGuire, K., & Poland, D., 2014. Ranching and farming after a stroke.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Weigel, R., 2014. Medications and older adults.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Alameda, W., 2014. Wheelchair considerations: Todays options provide more mobility than ever.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Wolfe, A., 2014. Ready to ride: Continuing an active lifestyle with horses after and arthritis diagnosis.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Weigel, R. 2014, January. Managing arthritis when working in cold weather. Wyoming Livestock Roundup.
Weigel, R. 2014, March. Safe use of ATVs in agriculture. Wyoming Livestock Roundup.
Weigel, R. 2014, July. 5 most dangerous hand tools on the ranch or farm. Wyoming Livestock Roundup.
Weigel, R. 2014, November. Back in the saddle, back on the farm: Back pain in agriculture. Wyoming Livestock Roundup.
Weigel, R. 2015, April. Groan: What happens as we age? Wyoming Livestock Roundup.
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Progress 04/15/13 to 04/14/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Audiences reached through Wyoming AgrAbility efforts included: two ranchers/farmers/or family members served through work-site assessments; technical assistance and information and referral to seven Wyoming AgrAbility consumers; educational presentations to approximately 310 ranchers/farmers, consumers, agricultural and health care professionals, college students, and faculty; approximately 3677 visitors to the Wyoming AgrAbility web site per month and 45 new "likes" currently on Wyoming AgrAbility Facebook. The blog site for Wyoming AgrAbility continues to expand with 5121 hits in 2013. Also included were media efforts including general print media releases to 33 regional media outlets; targeted 30 second radio releases through Cowboy State News Network as part of national Salute to Ag day; and a sixth edition of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert through the Wyoming Press Association to 24 newspaper outlets with an estimated 129,000+ readership. Educational and technical efforts included assessments and technical assistance; educational presentations to producers, consumers, professionals and students; in-service education and regional/national webinar trainings; education information through press releases, newspaper insert, web-based fact sheets and electronic information delivery; bulletin and fact sheet distribution; educational exhibits on ranching and farming with injury and limitations and assistive technology for agriculture (480 exhibit visitors); a 2013 AgrAbility calendar developed and distributed; and Wyoming AgrAbility resource materials requested, distributed at conferences and trade shows, and mailed directly to target groups and consumers (8509 pieces of information distributed). Changes/Problems: A few issues occurred that impacted the work plan for year four of the project. Due to congressional directive, each SRAP was again instructed to reduce proposal request by 10 percent. This caused the originally requested amount of $180,000 for year four to be reduced to $154,000. In discussion with university administration, a modest salary request (3 percent) was again anticipated for year 4. However, this did not occur. The project coordinator resigned in September of 2013. Due to the limited time remaining on the grant, it was decided not to refill the position. The project director assumed the day-to-day operation of the grant with assistance from UW Family and Consumer Sciences support staff. The involvement of an advisory committee transitioned from a standalone AgrAbility committee to the project director participating in the Wyoming Institute for Disability Assistive Technology Advisory Council. The research proposal on the impact of lifting tasks on spinal development of agriculture youth was not funded. This was a joint proposal with UW department of kinesiology and health and Wyoming AgrAbility. The plan is to re-submit to a different funding agency. The proposed AgrAbility consumer panel submission to the Shepard symposium on social justice was not able to be completed. Before the end of the current grant cycle, Wyoming AgrAbility is hoping to co-sponsor a presentation on the UW campus from Ms. Wheelchair USA who resides in Cody, Wyoming. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Individuals: Randolph R. Weigel, UW Extension, principal investigator/project director; Chelsea Hampton, project coordinator (resigned Sep. 2013); Wendy Alameda, assistive technology specialist Wind Assistive Technology Resources (WATR); Sandy Root-Elledge, coordinator of disability services, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND); Rick Geringer, independent living specialist, Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation (WILR); Corey McGregor, independent living specialist, Wyoming Services for Independent Living (WSIL); Alan Ramage, independent living specialist (WSIL). Partner organizations: University of Wyoming Extension (UWE), WIND, WATR, WILR, WSIL. Research and Education Collaborators: UWE Communication and Technology, UW College of Agriculture Business Office, UW Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, UW Agricultural Experiment Station, Wyoming Geriatric Education Center, UW College of Health Sciences, UW College of Engineering. Training: For AgrAbility staff, IL specialists, OT/PTs and health care providers included National AgrAbility Virtual Training Workshop and NAP/AgriSafe/eExtension webinars on agriculture, safety, disability, and assistive technology, and the AgrAbility National Training Workshop. For producers, health care professionals, social workers, college students and faculty included presentations/information on ranching and farming with injury (Annie’s project), arthritis, preventing hearing loss in adults and youth, tools for enabled gardening (experiment station field days), assistive technology devices (WATR demo days) and living well with a disability consumer workshops. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Enhancing an understanding of ranchers and farmers facing injury or limitation leading to disability occurred through information dissemination to county Extension offices, Wyoming community college agricultural instructors, UW College of agriculture faculty, and Wyoming Assistive Technology Advisory Council. A sixth edition of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert was written and inserted into 24 Wyoming newspaper outlets with an estimated readership of 129,000+. Wyoming AgrAbility produces a quarterly column for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup with a readership of 5800. In partnership with UW Extension, educational news articles were developed for the national Salute to Agriculture day and distributed statewide through Cowboy State News Network. Several AgrAbility publications continue to be distributed including the AgrAbility marketing brochure, Selected Resources from Wyoming AgrAbility, AgrAbility Quick Facts, Six Years of AgrAbility, Solutions for Living and AgrAbility fact sheets. Eight thousand five hundred nine written pieces of educational information were distributed. Over 150,000 contacts—electronic, media, written materials, in-person—were reached during 2013. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The current Wyoming AgrAbility funding cycle ends 04/14/2014. A one-time, no-cost extension of funds will be requested to allow Wyoming AgrAbility to position itself for AgrAbility affiliate status and sustainability. When these funds are expended, a terminiation report will be submitted.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impacts: Wyoming AgrAbility provided work-site assessments and recommendations to two ranchers whose injury and limitation included blindness due to diabetes and spinal injury due to wagon accident. Recommendationsincluded navigation strategies on the ranchandsaddle and horse mountwith limited upper body strength. Six individuals received technical assistance and information from AgrAbility staff. Research and recommendations for both work-site and technical assistance included farming with severe arthritis; continuing to farrier following stroke; ideas for securing a personal oxygen tank in tractor cab; alternative writing devices for individual with ataxia; adaptive garden tools for person with limited hand strength; and funding sources for wheelchair-accessible fishing pontoon boats. Program Priority 1 (EDUCATION) Objective 1.1.: Increase number of people trained about farming/ranching with injury, limitations and disability. Educational presentationsfor approximately 300 ranchers/farmers, agricultural and health care professionals, and college students and faculty. Topics included assistive technology in agriculture, arthritis, health and agriculture, and enabled gardening. Seventy ranchers and farmers attending the College of Agriculture research field-days learned about tools for the enabled garden. A powerpoint presentation, Health and Agriculture: Cultivating an Understanding of the Unique Challenges and Strengths within Farming and Ranching was developed and delivered to social workers and assistive technology specialists. Objective 1.2.: Increase awareness of assistive technology for AgrAbility applications. Educational exhibits continue to inform the public and professionals about AgrAbility and assistive technology at Governor’s Developmental Disability Conference, WY Department of Ag.—AgriFuture, UW Experiment Station field day, UW Consumer Issues Conference, WIND AT Demo Days and county health fairs reaching approximately 480 attendees. Objective 1.3.: Increase knowledge about healthy living, health care and safety among ranching/farming individuals, families, and the general public. Living Well with Disability (LWD) continued to be coordinated in 2013 by WILR.Four consumer workshops with31 attending were conducting. In addition, WILR has established regional coordinators to enhance the expansion of the program. The first "spin-off" of their effort occurred in Cheyenne with the Senior Companion Program delivering a LWD workshop. A sixth issue of the AgrAbility newspaper insert was inserted into 24 Wyoming newspaper outlets with an estimated statewide readership of 129,000. Informational articles included safety tips for people with Alzheimer’s; agricultural respiratory illnesses; accessible housing; age-related vision loss; hypertension; therapeutic gardening; and technology for daily living. Program Priority 2 (NETWORKING AND INFORMATION) Objective 2.1.: Increase farming/ranching family and care providers awareness of programs, services, and funding available throughout the state. A data base of professionals who work with ranchers and farmers with disability to provide information and an outlet for referral was updated. The AgrAbility project director participates in the WIND Assistive Technology Advisory Council to inform members about issues relating to agriculture and disability. Wyoming AgrAbility continues discussion with other disability support agencies on assistive technology funding and sustainability. Objective 2.4.: Increase number of contacts with members of new target audiences. The AgrAbility assistive technology specialist provided guest lectures onAT and agriculture to UW psychology, health science, engineering, and education students. The project director provides guest lectures to students, staff and faculty in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources on ranching and farming with disability. A research/extension proposal on the impact of lifting tasks on spinal development in ranch/farm youth was developed and submitted by UW department of kinesiology and health and Wyoming AgrAbility. Proposal was not funded but will be modified and re-submitted. Program Priority 3 (ASSISTANCE) Objective 3.1.: Provide work-site assessments for ranchers, farmers, and families whose agricultural operations are impacted by a disability. Provided work-site assessments to two individuals whose injury or limitation included blindness due to diabetes and spinal injury due to wagon accident. In addition, six individuals received technical assistance and information from AgrAbility staff. Research and recommendations for both work-site and technical assistance were provided. See impacts above for types of assistance. Objective 3.2.: Increase understanding of assistive technology among farming/ranching families, professionals and family caregivers. Maintained assistive technology information and referral services through WIND Assistive Technology Resources (WATR) program. Through WATR’s loan library, provided device loans to AgrAbility consumers and professionals who serve these consumers and caregivers. WATR conducted two “Demo Days” for educators, health care, and agriculture professionals on assistive technology and augmentative communication devices. Sixty three professionals attended. Program Priority 4 (MARKETING) Objective 4.1.: Increase the number of individuals, organizations, and agencies who know about Wyoming AgrAbility and ranching/farming with disability. AgrAbility brochures continue to be distributed statewide. Focus in 2013 was WY Community College Agriculture instructors, FFA advisors, and Extension educators. Several AgrAbility publications continue to be distributed including AgrAbility Quick Facts, Solutions for Living bulletins and Wyoming AgrAbility fact sheets. A new publication, Six Years of AgrAbility was developed and marketing to occupational and physical therapists, primary care physicians, ag-business dealers, IL specialists, agricultural and health professionals, Extension educators, and AgrAbility consumers. Three Wyoming Signatures television spots highlighting the resilience of Wyoming AgrAbility consumers were co-produced by Wyoming AgrAbility and UW Television. They were broadcast on Wyoming Public Television and placed on the AgrAbility web page. Additional media efforts included general press releases to 33 regional media outlets, targeted 30 second radio releases through Cowboy State News Network as part of Salute to Ag. day; and a quarterly guest column in Wyoming Livestock Roundup on topics: preventing cold weather injuries, heat-related illness among agriculture workers, preventing accidents or fatality during harvesting, and managing arthritis when working in cold weather. A 2013 Wyoming AgrAbility calendar featuring information on ranching and farming was commissioned by a young Wyoming artist, cowgirl, and stroke survivor. One thousand calendars were distributed. Objective 4.2.: Increase general awareness via electronic communication of Wyoming AgrAbility and issues impacting ranchers and farmers. The Wyoming AgrAbility web site received 3677 visits, 45 new “likes” to the site’s Facebook page and 5121 blog “hits”. Wyoming AgrAbility: Cultivating Accessible Agriculture: http://www.uwyo.edu/agrability
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hampton, C. 2013, July. Preventing heat related illness among agricultural workers. Wyoming Livestock Roundup.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Weigel, R. 2013, September. Preventing accidents&or worse&during harvesting. Wyoming Livestock Roundup.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Weigel, R., & Hampton, C. 2013, April. Safety and health&did it, done it, doing it tomorrow! Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Weigel, R. 2013. Staying safe: Steps to take for a person with Alzheimers.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Fetzer, L. 2013. Respiratory illnesses associated with agriculture.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
DiRienzo, S. 2013. Technology and me: The best mobile apps under $2 for daily living.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Weigel, R. 2013. Updating your home for lifelong living.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Cuin, D. 2013. Gardening for every BODY.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Alameda, W. 2013. Age-related vision loss and changes.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Hampton, C. 2013. Hypertension: An often-modifiable condition thanks to factors within ones control.
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Progress 04/15/12 to 04/14/13
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Wyoming AgrAbility obtained continued grant funding from NIFA for 2012 to support Wyoming agriculture. It addresses National AgrAbility Project goals of education, networking and information, consultative services, and marketing. Wyoming's two independent living centers, Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation and Wyoming Services for Independent Living continue to partner with Wyoming AgrAbility. This provides greater state-wide presence and support for Wyoming agriculture. Wyoming Institute for Disabilities provides leadership in assistive technology. Education included producer and consumer workshops, professional training via webinars, National Virtual Training Workshop, assistive technology (AT) trainings for professionals, presentations at agriculture, health, social work, and disability conferences, presentations at UW Experiment Station field days, and guest lectures to UW and North Dakota University students. Networking included a database of professionals who work with ranchers and farmers with disability to provide information and outlet for referral Consultative services, including work-site assessment and technical assistance continues focusing on task evaluation, work-site modification, AT acquisition, independent living, and awareness of the WATR Loan Center and Wyoming Technical Access Program (WYTAP) loan program. Marketing efforts include AgrAbility Web site which has been updated to include Twitter along with the blog site and Facebook presence. Two new fact sheets, Preventing Hearing Loss in Adults and Preventing Hearing Loss in Youth were added to the Web page. Accompanying these fact sheets were bookmarks with ear plugs. Two new bulletins in the Solutions for Living series was written on personal protection equipment for agriculture and tools for the enabled garden. Educational exhibits to educate and market AgrAbility occurred at Wyoming Brain Injury Conference, Wyoming Natural Resource Rendezvous, Governor's Developmental Disability Conference, WY Department of Ag.-- AgriFuture, WY Women in Ag. symposium, Wind River Reservation Agriculture Summit, UW Salute to Ag. Day, National Association of Social Work Conference--Wyoming, and county Health Fairs. The marketing brochure continues to be distributed statewide with emphasis this year on FFA and extension 4-H advisors and educators. Several AgrAbility publications continue to be distributed including Selected Resources from Wyoming AgrAbility, AgrAbility Quick Facts, Solutions for Living and AgrAbility fact sheets. A new marketing piece, Six Years of AgrAbility, was developed. Approximately 8740 copies of Wyoming AgrAbility educational materials were distributed to ag. and health-related agencies and AgrAbility consumers. In partnership with UW Extension, educational news articles for farm safety and health week were distributed. A fifth edition of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert was written and inserted into 24 Wyoming newspaper outlets with an estimated readership of 138,000+ per issue. A Wyoming artist, cowgirl, and stroke survivor was commissioned to create twelve original paintings for a 2013 Wyoming AgrAbility calendar with 1000 calendars distributed. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Randolph R. Weigel, UW Extension, principal investigator/project director; Chelsea Hampton, project coordinator (hired Feb. 2012); Mary Fick-Monteith, assistive technology specialist WIND Assistive Technology Resources (WATR)(resigned spring 2012); Wendy Alameda, assistive technology specialist (WATR)(hired summer 2012);Sandy Root-Elledge, coordinator of disability services, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND); Rick Geringer, independent living specialist, Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation (WILR); Corey McGregor, independent living specialist, Wyoming Services for Independent Living (WSIL); Alan Ramage, independent living specialist (WSIL). Partner organizations: University of Wyoming Extension (UWE), WIND, WATR, WILR, WSIL. Research and Education Collaborators: UWE Communication and Technology, UW College of Agriculture Business Office, UW Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, UW Agricultural Experiment Station, Wyoming Geriatric Education Center, UW College of Health Sciences, UW College of Engineering, University of North Dakota--Casper College. Training: For AgrAbility staff, IL specialists, OT/PTs and health care providers included National AgrAbility Virtual Training Workshop and NAP/AgriSafe/eExtension webinars on agriculture, safety, disability, and assistive technology. For producers, health care professionals, social workers, UW veterans, college students and faculty included presentations/information on ranching and farming with injury (Annie's project), arthritis, preventing hearing loss in adults and youth (experiment station field days), osteoarthritis in young adults, assistive technology devices (WATR demo days) and living well with a disability consumer workshops. TARGET AUDIENCES: Audiences reached through Wyoming AgrAbility efforts included: three ranchers/farmers/or family members served through work-site assessments; technical assistance and information and referral to 30 Wyoming AgrAbility consumers; educational presentations to approximately 1310 ranchers/farmers, consumers, agricultural and health care professionals, college students, and faculty; approximately 900 visitors to the Wyoming AgrAbility web site per month and 258 "likes" currently on Wyoming AgrAbility Facebook. The blog site for Wyoming AgrAbility continues to expand with 6738 hits in 2012. Also included were media efforts including general print media releases to 33 regional media outlets; targeted 30 second radio releases through Cowboy State News Network as part of National Farm Safety and Health week; and a fifth edition of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert through the Wyoming Press Association to 24 newspaper outlets with an estimated 138,000+ readership. Educational and technical efforts included assessments and technical assistance; educational presentations to producers, consumers, professionals and students; in-service education and regional/national webinar trainings; education information through press releases, newspaper insert, web-based fact sheets and electronic information delivery, bulletin and fact sheet distribution, educational exhibits on ranching and farming with injury and limitations and assistive technology for agriculture (1400 exhibit visitors); a 2013 AgrAbility calendar developed, and Wyoming AgrAbility resource materials requested, distributed at conferences and trade shows, and mailed directly to target groups and consumers (8740 pieces of information distributed). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Several issues have occurred that impacts the work plan for year four. Due to congressional directive, each SRAP was instructed to again reduce proposal funding for year four by 10 percent. In discussion with university administration, a modest salary increase was anticipated for year 3. However, this did not occur. A 3 percent increase is again included in year four for most personnel funded through the grant. A new project coordinator was hired in February of 2012. The WATR AT specialist resigned in March and the replacement began in June. The ongoing focus will continue to be on increasing work-site assessment; technical assistance and referral; continued educational offerings (in-person, through print media, and increasingly through electronic/social media); increase awareness of the WIND Assistive Technology Resource (WATR) Loan Center and Wyoming Technical Access Program (WYTAP) loan program; share successes of Wyoming ranchers and farmers who have experienced injury or disability; market Wyoming AgrAbility to Wyoming health and agricultural professionals. The research project, evaluating tractor seating for ranchers/farmers with spinal cord injury did not occur due to the resignation of the co-PI. Wyoming AgrAbility intended to participate in the NAP Quality of Life study. However, due to IRB issues at UW, this effort was cancelled. Focus on targeting youth and children on safety around the ranch or farm will continue with emphasis on 4-H and FFA. An AgrAbility bulletin focusing on tools for the enabled garden was developed and an enabled gardening curriculum is planned for year four. Two planned initiatives, Living Well with Disability and Volunteer Peer Network, had been delayed due to personnel changes. A volunteer management coordinator has been hired by WILR and these two initiatives were initiated in year 3 and will expand in year four. A guest column on farming and ranching with injury and limitation will occur quarterly in the Wyoming Livestock Roundup trade newspaper. An AgrAbility consumer panel proposal will be submitted to the Shepard symposium on social justice on the campus of the University of Wyoming.
Impacts
Impacts: Wyoming AgrAbility provided work-site assessments to three individuals in 2012 whose injury or limitation included spinal cord injury due to motor cycle accident; TBI as the result of a roping accident; and multiple head and spine injuries due to a horse fall. Additionally, 30 individuals received technical assistance and information from AgrAbility staff. Research and recommendations for both work-site and technical assistance included outdoor work in cold weather, hearing loss prevention, assistive technology for low vision, assistive technology funding, hearing loss prevention, hunting with a disability, arthritis, and accessible gardening containers.
Publications
- Weigel, R. 2012. Horticultural therapy helps grow well-being, sense of purpose.
- DiRienzo, S. 2012. Accessible recreational opportunities in Wyomings great outdoors.
- Hampton, C. 2012. Overcoming trauma: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, its impacts and treatment.
- Wolfe, A. 2012. Prevent early onset osteoarthritis in Wyoming farm/ranch youth.
- Weigel, R. 2012. When choosing a therapist or counselor.
- Rounds, P. 2012. Living well with a disability workshops help put you on path to healthy lifestyle.
- Weigel, R. 2012. Solutions for living: Personal protective equipment for agriculture. Wyoming AgrAbility bulletin.
- Weigel, R., & Hampton C. 2012. Solutions for living: Tools for the enabled garden. Wyoming AgrAbility bulletin.
- Hampton, C. 2012. Preventing hearing loss in youth. Wyoming AgrAbility fact sheet.
- Hampton, C. 2012. Preventing hearing loss in adults. Wyoming AgrAbility fact sheet.
- Hampton, C. 2012 (Oct.). Arthritis in agriculture. Wyoming Livestock Roundup.
- Hampton, C. 2012 (Nov.). Cold-weather safety in agriculture. Prairie Star.
- Weigel, R. 2012 (fall). Update your home for a lifetime of living. Barnyards & Backyards.
- Hampton, C., 2012 (Dec.). Wyoming AgrAbility: Cultivating accessible agriculture. 2013 calendar.
- Weigel R., & Hampton, C. 2012. Working to keep Wyoming agriculture--and Wyoming--safe and well, WY AgrAbility newspaper insert.
- Newcomb, A. 2012. Selecting right assistive technology can increase independence, productivity.
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Progress 04/15/11 to 04/14/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs: Wyoming AgrAbility was successful in obtaining continuing grant funding from NIFA to offer support to Wyoming agriculture. It addresses the National AgrAbility Project goals of education, networking and information, consultative services, and marketing. Wyoming's two independent living centers, Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation and Wyoming Services for Independent Living continue to partner with Wyoming AgrAbility. This provides greater state-wide presence and support for Wyoming agriculture. Wyoming Institute for Disabilities continues to provide the leadership in assistive technology. Education included producer workshops, professional training via web conferencing and the National Training Workshop, assistive technology (AT) trainings for professionals, presentations at agriculture, health, and disability conferences, presentations at UW College of Agriculture's Experiment Station field days, and guest lectures to UW and North Dakota University students. Temple Grandin, renowned livestock handling expert gave a public lecture at UW co-sponsored by Wyoming AgrAbility. Networking included a data base of professionals who work with ranchers and farmers with disability to provide information and an outlet for referral, a peer helper network and rural care giving training has been initiated. Discussion with other disability support agencies on sustainability continues. Consultative services, including work-site assessment and technical assistance, occurs throughout the grant and focused on task evaluation, work-site modification, assistive technology acquisition, independent living case management, and continued awareness of the WIND Assistive Technology Resource (WATR) Loan Center and Wyoming Technical Access Program (WYTAP) loan program. Marketing efforts include the AgrAbility Web site which has been updated to feature a blog site as well as Facebook presence. Two new fact sheets, How to Choose a Therapist and Preventing Cold-Related Illness were added to the Web page. A new bulletin in the Solutions for Living series was written on innovative devices for continued independence. Educational exhibits to inform and market AgrAbility occurred at WY Department of Health and Aging, Wyoming Stock Growers, Governor's Developmental Disability Conference, Extension Homemakers, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and county Health Fairs. The AgrAbility marketing brochure continues to be distributed statewide with emphasis this year on Wyoming chiropractors. Several AgrAbility publications continue to be distributed including Selected Resources from Wyoming AgrAbility, AgrAbility Quick Facts, Solutions for Living and AgrAbility fact sheets. Approximately 2140 copies of these publications were distributed to ag and health-related agencies and AgrAbility consumers. In partnership with UW Extension, educational news articles for farm safety and health week were distributed. A fourth edition of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert with eight articles were written and inserted into 24 Wyoming newspaper outlets with an estimated readership of 138,000 per issue. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Randolph R. Weigel, UW Extension, principal investigator/project director; Kelley Turner Dees, project coordinator (resigned 12/13/11); Mary Fick-Monteith, assistive technology specialist WIND Assistive Technology Resources (WATR); Sandy Root-Elledge, coordinator of disability services, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND); Rick Geringer, independent living specialist, Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation (WILR); Corey McGregor, independent living specialist, Wyoming Services for Independent Living (WSIL); Alan Ramage, independent living specialist (WSIL). Partner organizations: University of Wyoming Extension (UWE), WIND, WATR, WILR, WSIL. Research and Education Collaborators: UWE Communication and Technology, UW College of Agriculture Business Office, UW Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, Wyoming Geriatric Education Center, UW College of Health Sciences, UW College of Engineering, Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, University of North Dakota--Casper College. Training: For AgrAbility staff, IL specialists, DVR counselors, OT/PTs and health care providers included National AgrAbility Training Workshop, Living Well with Disability facilitator training from Montana, Duck Tape and Beyond from New Hampshire, farming with injury and assistive technology for DVR counselors and NAP/AgriSafe webinars on agriculture and disability. For producers, health care professionals, college students and faculty included workshops/presentations on ranching and farming with disability, arthritis, preventing eye damage including ptygerium, osteoarthritis in young adults, and assistive technology devices for agriculture. TARGET AUDIENCES: Audiences reached through Wyoming AgrAbility efforts included: two ranchers/farmers/or family members served through work-site assessments; technical assistance and information referral to 19 Wyoming AgrAbility consumers; educational presentations to approximately 750 ranchers/farmers, agricultural and health care professionals, and college students and faculty; 52 DVR counselors and staff trained; approximately 950 visitors to the Wyoming AgrAbility web site per month and 1166 "friends" currently on Wyoming AgrAbility Facebook. The blog site for Wyoming AgrAbility continues to expand with 3923 hits in 2011. Also included were media efforts including general print media releases to 33 regional media outlets; targeted 30 second radio releases through Cowboy State News Network as part of National Farm Safety and Health week; and a fourth edition of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert through the Wyoming Press Association to 24 newspaper outlets with an estimated 138,000+ readership. Educational and technical efforts included assessments and technical assistance; educational presentations to producers, professionals and students; in-service education and regional/national trainings; education information through press releases, newspaper insert, web-based fact sheets and electronic information delivery, educational exhibits on ranching and farming with injury and limitations and assistive technology for agriculture (4760 exhibit visitors); and Wyoming AgrAbility resource flyers requested, distributed at conferences and trade shows, and mailed directly to target groups and consumers (2140 pieces of information distributed). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Several issues have occurred that impacts the work plan for year three. Due to congressional directive, each SRAP was instructed to reduce proposal funding for year three by 10 percent. The national project is not anticipated to be awarded until summer. Due to this delay and in talking with the current NAP, they do not anticipate a national training workshop in year three of the grant. In discussion with university administration, a modest salary increase is anticipated; therefore a 3 percent increase is included in year three for most personnel funded through the grant. The AgrAbility project coordinator resigned effective 12/13/11. A new project coordinator is in the process of being hired. The ongoing focus will continue to be on increasing work-site assessment; technical assistance and referral; continued educational offerings (in-person, through print media, and increasingly through electronic/social media); increase awareness of the WIND Assistive Technology Resource (WATR) Loan Center and Wyoming Technical Access Program (WYTAP) loan program; share successes of Wyoming ranchers and farmers who have experienced injury or disability; market Wyoming AgrAbility to Wyoming health and agricultural professionals; and establish a closer working relationship with DVR. Some specific activities planned include: re-submission of the research project, evaluating tractor seating for ranchers/farmers with spinal cord injury; participate in the national AgrAbility research project, Quality of Life Study; presentation on Arthritis and Agriculture by Amber Wolfe; continued focus on targeting youth and children on safety around the ranch or farm with emphasis on 4-H and FFA; development of another AgrAbility bulletin focusing on personal protective equipment for agriculturists; two planned initiatives, Living Well with Disability and Volunteer Peer Network, had been delayed due to personnel changes, a volunteer management coordinator has been hired by WILR and these two initiatives will be addressed in year 3.
Impacts
Impacts: Wyoming AgrAbility provided work-site visits to two individuals in 2011 whose injury or limitation included lifting limitations and spinal cord injury. Additionally, 19 individuals received technical assistance and information from AgrAbility staff. Research and recommendations for both work-site and technical assistance recipients included squeeze chute modifications, gate opener options, auto bump hitch, lifting solutions, assistive technology for low vision, living with Multiple Sclerosis, back support, compromised immune system alternatives, and adaptive living funding.
Publications
- Weigel, R., & Dees, K. 2011. Health, lifestyle, and safety for agriculturefor Wyoming. WY AgrAbility newspaper insert.
- DiRienzo, S. 2011. Aging and maintaining independence with assistive technology.
- Fick-Monteith, M. 2011. Child safety on farm and ranch: Avoiding potential risks outside of your home.
- Perkins-Corbett, J. 2011. Applying the Americans with disabilities act to rural areas.
- Mungai, E. 2011. Advanced directives help fulfill an individual's end-of-life wishes.
- Dees, K. 2011. Adaptations to garden area can help increase green thumb accessibility.
- McGregor, C., & Weigel, R. 2011. Adaptations, organizations help provide accessible hunting in Wyoming.
- Weigel, R. 2011. Diabetes: Accommodations for a serious health problem.
- Weigel, R., & Fick-Monteith, M. 2011. Solutions for living: Innovative devices for continued independence. Wyoming AgrAbility bulletin.
- Weigel, R. 2011. Preventing cold-related illness in agriculture workers. Wyoming AgrAbility.
- Weigel, R. 2011. Choosing a therapist or counselor. Wyoming AgrAbility.
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Progress 04/15/10 to 04/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs: Wyoming AgrAbility was successful in obtaining competitive grant funding from NIFA to continue to offer support to Wyoming agriculture. It addresses the National AgrAbility Project goals of education, networking and information, and consultative services. Two new partners, Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation and Wyoming Services for Independent Living were added to Wyoming AgrAbility. This provides greater state-wide presence and support for Wyoming agriculture. A new project coordinator for the project has been hired. Education included producer workshops, professional training via web conferencing, assistive technology (AT) trainings for professionals, presentations at agriculture, health, and disability conferences, tri-state rehabilitation training (NE, CO, WY) for OT/PTs, and presentations at UW College of Agriculture's Experiment Station field days. Networking included the continued involvement of an advisory committee to enhance networking and provide direction, a data base of professionals who work with ranchers and farmers with disability to provide information and an outlet for referral, a peer helper network and rural care giving training continue in development. Discussion with other disability support agencies on sustainability has been initiated. Consultative services, including work-site assistance, occurs throughout the grant and focused on task evaluation, work-site modification, assistive technology acquisition, and independent living case management. The AgrAbility Web site has been updated to include a blog site as well as Facebook presence. Two new fact sheets, ATV Safety Tips and Consideration of Agricultural Tasks were added to the Web page. Educational exhibits to inform and market AgrAbility occurred at Wyoming Brain Injury, Wyoming Council for the Blind, WY Department of Health, Governor's Developmental Disability Conference, and county Health Fairs. The AgrAbility marketing brochure was distributed statewide to primary care physicians, OT/PTs, IL specialists, DVR counselors, Farm Service Agency, state veterinarians, conservation districts, weed and pest, saddle makers, senior centers. Several AgrAbility publications continue to be distributed including Selected Resources from Wyoming AgrAbility, AgrAbility Quick Facts, Solutions for Living and AgrAbility fact sheets. Approximately 3270 copies of these publications were distributed to occupational and physical therapists, primary care physicians, ag-business dealers, veterinarians, IL specialists, DVR counselors, senior centers, agricultural and health professionals, Extension educators and AgrAbility consumers. In partnership with UWCES, educational news articles for farm safety and health week were distributed. A third edition of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert with nine articles were written and inserted into 21 Wyoming newspaper outlets with an estimated readership of 140,000+ per issue. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Randolph R. Weigel, UW Cooperative Extension, principal investigator/project director; Kelley Turner Dees, project coordinator (effective 9/02/10); Mary Fick-Monteith, assistive technology specialist WIND Assistive Technology Resources (WATR) (effective 9/02/10); Sandy Root-Elledge, coordinator of disability services, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND); Rick Geringer, independent living specialist, Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation (WILR); Corey McGregor, independent living specialist, Wyoming Services for Independent Living (WSIL); Alan Ramage, independent living specialist (WSIL). Partner organizations: University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UWCES), WIND, WATR, WILR, WSIL. Research and Education Collaborators: UWCES Communication and Technology, UW College of Agriculture Business Office, UW Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, Wyoming Geriatric Education Center, UW College of Health Sciences, UW College of Engineering, Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, University of North Dakota--Casper College. Training: For AgrAbility staff, IL specialists, DVR counselors, OT/PTs and health care providers included tri-state (NE, WY, CO) rehabilitating ranchers and farmers, National AgrAbility Training Workshop, farming with injury and assistive technology for WILR specialists and NAP webinars on agriculture and disability. For producers, workshops on ranching and farming with arthritis, reducing physical pain in daily work tasks, agriculture and skin cancer, assistive technology devices for agriculture. TARGET AUDIENCES: Audiences reached through Wyoming AgrAbility efforts included: five ranchers/farmers/or family members served through work-site assessments to date; technical assistance and information referral to 25 Wyoming AgrAbility consumers; educational presentations to approximately 1433 ranchers/farmers, agricultural and health care professionals, and college students and faculty; 25 Independent Living specialists trained; approximately 825 visitors to the Wyoming AgrAbility web site per month and 250 "friends" currently on Wyoming AgrAbility Facebook. A blog site for Wyoming AgrAbility was created in October and there were 290 "hits" in three months. Also included were media efforts including general print media releases to 33 regional media outlets; targeted 30 second radio releases through Cowboy State News Network as part of National Farm Safety and Health week; and a third edition of the Wyoming AgrAbility newspaper insert through the Wyoming Press Association to 24 newspaper outlets with an estimated 140,000+ readership. Educational and technical efforts included assessments and technical assistance; educational presentations to producers, professionals and students; in-service education and regional/national trainings; education information through press releases, newspaper insert, web-based fact sheets and electronic information delivery, educational exhibits on ranching and farming with injury and limitations and assistive technology for agriculture; and Wyoming AgrAbility resource flyers requested, distributed at conferences and trade shows, and mailed directly to target groups and consumers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Establishment of new partnerships to enhance number and timeliness of work-site visits and follow-up; hiring of new project coordinator to enhance case management and day-to-day project operation; improving the electronic delivery of education material on the Web page; initial discussions of disability (including AgrAbility) sustainable funding. Planned activities include development--with Wyoming Geriatric Education Center--of a web-based training guide on understanding health needs of aging ranchers and farmers; co-sponsoring with U. of North Dakota--Casper Center and WIND of workshop on low-tech assistive technology devices; co-sponsoring, with WIND and UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, of a public presentation by Temple Grandin.
Impacts
Impacts: Wyoming AgrAbility provided work-site visits to five individuals in 2010 whose injury or limitation included falls from horses, roping accidents, ATV rollover and automobile accident. Additionally, 25 individuals received technical assistance and information from AgrAbility staff. Research and recommendations for both work-site and technical assistance recipients included squeeze chute modifications, gate opener options, van modifications, hand rail alternatives, portable ramps, car seat modifications, tractor auto hitch, health insurance options and living with arthritis, back pain, and diabetes.
Publications
- Weigel, R. Ranch and farm safely: Protect YOUr investment. 2010. AgrAbility newspaper insert.
- McLean, A. Understanding horse behavior key to safety. 2010. Insert article.
- Ehmke, C. What if something happened to you? 2010. Insert article.
- Weigel, R. Agriculture and skin cancer: What you should know. 2010. Insert article.
- Weigel, R. Modern devices help communicate in emergency. 2010. Insert article.
- Weigel, R. Devices help farm or ranch with spinal cord injury. 2010. Insert article.
- Weigel, R. Secondary injury prevention, farming with arm amputation. 2010. Insert article.
- Fick-Monteith, M. Stay productive and safe with assistive technology. 2010. Insert article.
- Cunningham, R., & Hininger, S. Training puts ATV riders on road to safety. 2010. Insert article.
- Weigel, R. Wyoming agrability helps producers with injury, limitations or disabilities keep ranching and farming. May 2010. Wyoming Business Council Newsletter.
- Dees, K. ATV safety tips. 2010. Wyoming AgrAbility Web page.
- Dees, K. Considerations of agricultural tasks working with ranchers and farmers. 2010. Wyoming AgrAbility Web page.
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