Progress 05/01/10 to 04/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:One of the major goals of the grant was to advance knowledge of AgrAbility and its services to potential consumers, educators, health professional and underserved, small farm, and minority agriculture owners and workers. The KY AgrAbility team was able to attend and present at an average of 5 national events each year including the National FFA Conference, the National Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference, the National Occupational Therapists Conference, the National Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialist Conference, National Farm Bureau Conference and the National Farm Machinery Show. Also included in the demonstrations and presentations were the KY Cattlemen's Workshop, KY Fruit and Vegetable Growers Workshop, National Women Veterans in Agriculture event, KY Spinal Cord Injury Congress, Annual Summer Assistive Technology Workshop, KY Farm Bureau Conference, Tri-State Diversity Conference and several others. By working with our partner, Kentucky State University, information was given to KY's minority, small farm and underserved farm owners and workers at each monthly "Third Thursday Event". KARRN, KY Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network, hosted an annual conference and workshop to an audience not only of AgrAbility consumer and clients but also the students majoring in rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy and other health related fields. Our partner Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital was able to host several seminars to inform their staff on issues of disability that are encountered with working in an agriculture vocation. In addition the AgrAbility staff has hosted the National AgrAbility Workshop in Lexington, KY and has attended all the NTW all years of the grant. Yearly KY extension agent trainings include KY AgrAbility and KY AgrAbility staff has presented at numerous county Safety Days and Workshops and Annual Summer Assistive Technology Workshops were hosted by KY AgrAbility. A successful working relationship is established with the veteran groups in Kentucky, the Farmer , Veteran Coalition, and Growing Warriors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Annual Assistive Technology Conference provides sessions on new technology, demonstrations of Assistive Technology and learning sessions on Assistive technology including iPhone apps, vehicle modifications, trainings on vision and hearing safety and prevention of secondary injury. KARRN Conference presentations gave rehabilitation therapists, occupational therapist, physical therapists, and health professionals and care givers an opportunity to attend presentations and ask questions about AgrAbility. Cardinal Hill Healthcare has held several training sessions on Arthritis and Agriculture, Growing an Accessible Garden, and AgrAbility. KARRN holds monthly meetings and has provided time for AgrAbility sessions at each meeting that is geared to health professionals in the Appalachian area. Each year a class is taught by KY AgrAbility to students in the UK College of Agriculture. The focus of this class is on safety, prevention of injury on the farm and the AgrAbility Project. Additionally, KY AgrAbility presents a class on AgrAbility, farm safety and injury prevention to Eastern Kentucky University's occupational therapy students and UK's physical therapy students. KY Agriculture Agents are presented with information at the annual agent training sessions and also at county events. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Semi-annual newsletters have been sent to clients and partners and have distributed at conferences, workshops and seminars as well as all 120 county extension offices in the state. KY AgrAbility has featured client stories, events and technology that our target audiences would find interesting in the newsletters, on line and on facebook. KY AgrAbility updated the brochures that have been placed at local farm implement distributors, rehabilitation facilities, doctor's offices and are part of the display at events. The staff and partners have presented at Third Thursday Events at KY State University, National Women Veterans in Agriculture Workshop, KY Extension Agent Annual Training, KY Cattlemen's Conference, ADED, RESNA, AOTA, National Farm Machinery EXPO, APSE, KARRN Conferences, KY Spinal Cord Injury Congress and National AgrAbility Workshops. KY AgrAbility has displayed at numerous county farm safety and expo days, Mountain Ag Day, KY Farm Bureau Annual Conferences, county farm specialty groups, i.e. Bourbon Co Goat Breeders, Pork Producers, etc., and to service and church organizations. Videos have been produced and placed on Youtube and other sites for public view and use in demonstrations and presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Enhancing the awareness and goals of KY AgrAbility was a major goal of this grant. Numerous workshops, conferences and forums were held for health professionals, para professionals, educators, students and extension agents to inform them of AgrAbility. National conferences were attended each year for professionals including: National Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists; National Occupational Therapists Conference; Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America; as well as the National Farm Machinery Show; National Future Farmers of America; National No Barriers Conference and National Farm Bureau Conference for the general public. By providing classes at the University of Kentucky for students in the Agriculture Safety course, University of Kentucky physical therapist classes and the Eastern Kentucky University's occupational therapist classes our AgrAbility staff was able to inform those entering into health care and agricultural ways to keep agricultural workers productive and safe on the farm even after injury or illness. We have on going partnerships with the KARRN organization, Kentucky Rural Rehabilitation Network, They bring in Appalachian Rural Healthcare, ARH, and allows us to reach the professionals that service this area. Appalachia which comprises 54 of 120 counties in the state. This area is one of the most underserved rural areas in the state. Through annual training for Kentucky Extension agents at the ANR Update each year AgrAbility was able to reach all 120 counties offices and work with the 4-H and other agents in the counties. CHRH has a revamped "Growing Again" garden for in patients and out patients to use as well as adapted tools and equipment. This allows the public to see what can be accomplished even though there is a disability. KY AgrAbility consistently presents each month to the underserved, small farm, minority farmers at the Kentucky State University's monthly Third Thursday Event reaching those in our specifically targeted audience. A new partner to KY AgrAbility is the KY Growing Warrior Program. Working with local veteran groups, information regarding how to work with a disability in an agricultural setting was given to returning veterans interested or currently in farming in Kentucky as well as nationally. Attending and presenting at state-wide, national and local events, conferences and workshops, KY AgrAbility far exceeded the number of workshops, conferences and meetings set forth in the goals for this grant. As a result the number of client referrals has significantly grown over the 4 year period of the grant. KY AgrAbilityhas directly served 132 individuals. With the help of KY Vocational Rehabilitation,Project CARATand other sources these clients have been able to acquire assistive technology, advice and on-going support so they may continue to be productive on the farm. New marketing materials are continually updated and developed including new brochures and displays. CD's and videos were developed and used in demonstrations and presentations. These were used in education and training sessions for health professionals as well as placed on YouTube for public viewing. KARRN has also posted these videos on their web site for additional audiences. The demonstration tractor was improved with new seated lift, hand controls and hitching device. The pressure mapping system purchased on this grant has proven to be an incredible asset and is used in assessments, presentations and demonstrations
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Underserved Farmers with Disabilities: Designing an AgrAbility Program to Address Health Issues" Publish in the Journal of AgromedicineApr-Jun2011, Vol.16 Issue 2, p99-105
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Developing a community based rehabilitation network for people with spinal cord injury in Appalachian Kentucky, Journal of Rural and Community Development
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
4 page newsletters were published in the spring and fall to inform public of KY AgrAbility coming events and new assistive devices available.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
News article on project director, John Hancock, and AgrAbility publish in the Frankfort, KY "State Journal" entitled "Farmers Offered a Lift" on July 16, 2010 on the front page of the newspaper.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Article for "Southeastern Farm Press" titled Lend Me A Hand. Concerning amputations risks during farm activities.
Published Oct 12, 2012 by KY AgrAbility Advisory Board member Debbie Reed, UK PhD, MSPH, RN
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
"Homegrown by Heroes" was cover article in KY Department of Agriculture magazine in 2014 featuring KY's Veteran Farmer program and KY AgrAbility clients. It is available @ KY-AGRICULTURE.COM//2014
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Progress 05/01/13 to 04/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: During this grant period KY AgrAbility was able to attend 11 Third Thursday events at KY State University which focuses on the grant target audience of underserved, small farm and minority agriculture owners and workers. The average attendance at each event was 125 and the April and November events were hosted by KY AgrAbility. Over 400,000 attended the National Farm Machinery Show where KY AgrAbility maintained a demonstration booth for the entire4 day event. This event is attended by farmers and agriculture workers from across the US and many foreign countries thus reaching not only our targeted population but those in other states. The grant personnel were able to attend professional conferences including the annual training for KY extension agents thus educating the agents from all 120 counties in the goals of AgrAbility and the assistive technology available to help the handicap farmers of KY in the underserved, minority and small farm populations. The National Occupational Therapist Conference and the National Conference for Driver Rehabilitation Specialist allowed for more educational opportunities with professionals involved in rehabilitation of the targeted group. By utilizing the resources available through partnership with Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network, KY AgrAbility was able to reach the Appalachia region by participation in workshops, conferences and teleconferences. Thus fulfilling another of the goals of this grant. Attending the National FFA Conference KY AgrAbility furthered the knowledge of the program by speaking with the FFA members and the sponsors for the various states and schools. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? KY AgrAbility will be hosting the National Training Workshop for AgrAbility. The staff and partners were able to present at several training sessions including the National Training Workshop in Minneapolis, MN, AgrAbility training workshop in Yuma, AZ., AT Workshop in Frankfort, KY focusing on assistive technology and network support for disabled., KY Spinal Cord Congress in Lexington, KY focusing on difficulties and secondary injury incurred by those with spinal cord injury, Arthritis Workshop to learn more about interventions to help those with this disease. Empowering Women Veterans Workshop to participate in a panel discussion at the conference as well as attend sessions geared toward veterans and women farmers, KY AgrAbility attended Webinars on Visual Impairments and Their Relevance to Agriculture, IPADS and Apps for farmers. Gardening with Arthritis, Agriculture and Lighting, 211 Information and Referral Network, ADA webinar concerning Service Animals, and the Virtual NTW. The Ride and Drive course developed last year was used during the Summer AT Workshop at KSU to show the importance of driver evaluations in use of various AT options to conference attendees. Also housed at KSU are examples of assistive technology in gardening and greenhouse work.. This is available for use during all Third Thursday Events and other training workshops. Training was implemented using the videos developed during this tern of the grant on the use of the pressure mapping system in establishing seating options for clients. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? By establishing communications with partners we are able to distribute AgrAbility educational materials to a wider audience, attend and present at workshops and conferences for professional organizations and use their network of Facebook, email contacts and personnel to educate the targeted agriculture community. Speaking to groups, like those at the Third Thursday Thing at KSU, allows more one on one interaction with those needing AgrAbility assistance and a chance to educate the targeted audience about AgrAbility goals. Using newsletters, videos of clients and having clients speak to groups we have been able to deliver the message that farmers facing disabilities, injuries, illness and age can continue to farm productively and safely. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? As this is our final year in this grant period we are working to further the AgrAbility awareness in the state of Kentucky. We will do this by including the veterans in our targeted audience focusing on their unique problems and challenges. Additional focus will be placed on encouraging more farmer families to work safely and utilize the AgrAbility network in the state. Having purchased the pressure mapping system earlier in the grant period we anticipate educating professionals in the use of this equipment as well as utilize it to further our knowledge in assistive technology routinely to prevent secondary injury in the client and provide a better work environment.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
AgrAbility staff and members from KY AgrAbility partners were able to attend the National Training Workshop for AgrAbility in Minneapolis, MN, the AgrAbility Training Workshop in Yuma, AZ, the Summer Assistive Technology Workshop in Frankfort, KY and the Virtual Training Workshop in December sponsored by the national project. This allowed the enhancement of the professional capabilities of those working directly with clients and allowed them to pass on new information and ideas. The staff also participated in 10 webinar classes. In addition the AgrAbility staff and partners were able to attend and participate in the KSU 11 monthly "Third Thursday Thing” workshops at KSU where the audience consisted of minority, small farm and underserved participants, the KY Cattlemen Conference, National Farm Bureau Conference, National Farm Machinery Show, KY Spinal Cord Congress, KY Rehabilitation Specialist Conference, Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialist Conference, Arthritis Training Workshop at Cardinal Hill, Fall KY Physical Therapist Conference, KY Extension Agent Training (agricultural and horticultural agents for all 120 counties in KY), KARRN Conference, National Future Farmers of America Conference, Empowering Women Veterans Workshop, KY Farm Bureau Conference. Students from UK Physical Therapists program and Occupational Therapy students attended the Summer Assistive Technology Workshop along with students from the College of Nursing at UK. Listed above are the events that KY AgrAbility actively participated in by presentations and booth displays. Professional networking has given KY AgrAbilitynational recognition resulting intraining for occupational therapy students at Eastern KY University on AgrAbility and farm safety and at UK for Agriculture safety classes and AgrAbility and invitations to conferences and consultations across the nation. Rehabilitation science and physical therapy students were in introduced to the AgrAbility program in their classes at UK. KY AgrAbility was able to add several organizations to their list of partners including BIAK and veteran organizations by assisting in the development of several accessible gardens including one at the Ft. Knox Army Base. Working with KARRN, KY AgrAbility furthered the knowledge of AgrAbility within the organization and their Appalachian network with articles about AgrAbility in newsletters,online social media and distribution of educational materials at conferences and workshops. KY AgrAbility was included in press releases from the KY Department of Agriculture announcing a new KY Proud Logo for veteran farmers’ products opening a new line to the consumer and further recognition of AgrAbility through the Farmer Veteran Coalition. KY AgrAbility has far exceeded the marketing goals (6) put forth in the grant by attending the above mentioned meetings, workshops and conferences utilizing both the KY AgrAbility staff and the members of the partnering organizations. Those reached at these events have reached all populations targeted in the grant proposal including underserved, minority, rural and small farms. This program has also increased the awareness of AgrAbility to the general population resulting in not only those disabled seeking the assistance of the program but others recommending new clients and opportunities for AgrAbility.
Publications
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Progress 05/01/12 to 04/30/13
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Events: During the 3rd year of the grant the AgrAbility staff distributed and/or presented at the AOTA Conference; Veterans in Agriculture Workshop; RESNA Conference; APSE Conference; Conference of Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society; KRA Conference; KARRN Conference; 2 UK Extension Agent Training Workshops; KSU Small Minority Farm Conference; North American Livestock Show; KY Farm Bureau Conference; KY Cattleman Association Conference; National Farm Bureau Conference; and the National Farm Machinery Show; National AgrAbility Workshop and 11 KSU Third Thursday Thing Workshops. These conferences and workshops were attended by more than 1 million people. The staff presented at 24 local leadership and civic group meetings; Boys Scout troop Disability Awareness badge training; Anderson Co. Lego Robotics team project; Campbell Co. Back Roads Farm Tour; Migrant Workers Employment Program; VR area staff meetings; 10 monthly KARRN video conferences; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident Training Program; KY Office of the Blind meetings. Activities and Services: 45 farm/farmer assessments, 38 referrals to VR,; 96 one-on-one consultations with clients; weekly consults with KY OVR staff; weekly consults with CHRH staff and patients and consultant for the Migrant Farm Workers group. Established an accessible greenhouse for the AT Conference at the KSU research farm; installed remote gate openers; used safe tractor operating protocols; demonstrated assistive technology on vehicles at demo farm. Updated the KY AgrAbility website; We have established a new collaboration with the BIAK, Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky, and through them, the military veterans' organizations; the KY Department of Agriculture and the Veteran Farmer Coalition, the Homegrown by Heroes organization and the Veterans Farm Project of KY and the Kentucky Assistive Technology Service, KATS. Through the KY Vocational Rehabilitation offices we have recommended more than $900,000 in modifications of farm equipment and purchase of assistive technology for the clients. This included the installation of back up cameras, livestock surveillance cameras, remote and/or solar gate openers, numerous adaptations to ATVs and farm equipment, ramps and surfaces for wheelchair accessibility, lifts for farm equipment including harvesters, dairy equipment modifications, environmental changes and adaptation for COPD client engaged in cheese making, air filters and air conditioning equipment for clients with breathing problems for use in tractor cab while in the field, livestock handling equipment, home modifications, modifications to skid steer equipment, loaders and lawn maintenance equipment, seating modifications, using the seat mapping system purchased in the first year of the grant, vehicle modifications for on-road vehicles, mechanical hand controls for tractors and ATVs. This equipment and modifications allowed the clients to continue gainful employment in the agricultural community. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Change in Knowledge: Using KY AgrAbility brochures and newsletters and publications from the national organization, on-line videos and educational meetings we have demonstrated safer and more productive ways for disabled farmers to continue to be productive. We have extended the audience to include veterans returning from combat that have sustained injuries that make farming difficult. Using the extensive community of partnerships we have established and through the use of the internet we are able to service more clients across the state and in several other states by attending national conferences and workshops and sharing the videos we have produced with other agencies. Information on the need for safe work environments and the need for continued safety to prevent secondary injuries after the initial disability became a focus for the 3rd year. Attending national conferences we were able to learn about new technology and have incorporated it into the programs that we present. The training sessions for the UK Extension agents allowed us to spread information concerning disabled farms to every county in the state. Training these agents alerted them to the need for assistive technology by the aging farm population and gives the agent a contact for their clients after a potentially life changing problem has occurred and encouraged them to stress safe work practices before and after an injury. Change in Actions: Through use of the KSU research farm we have a centralized display for adaptive and assistive technology to demonstrate to clients ways to maintain the agricultural lifestyle and to prevent further injuries. By training suppliers, an awareness of the adaptive possibilities for the farm equipment has allowed them to direct clients to equipment that will better serve the needs of the disabled farmer. Using seat mapping and CDL evaluators has given the counselors a better way to assess the needs of the client and thus get the best technology for the client. CHRH continues as a source of information distribution to farmers, farm workers and their families sustaining a life altering accident or illness. The staff have been trained in the AgrAbility goals and are a first contact for clients resulting in approximately 6 referral contacts per month. Change in Condition: KY OVR counselors are trained to recognize the AgrAbility program and routinely use AgrAbility to consult in many of the cases to determine the needs of the agricultural worker. Approximately $600,000 in modified or adaptive equipment and assistive technology has been provided to the clients of KY AgrAbility so that they can continue farming, including hand controls for farm equipment and on-road vehicles; lifts to access farm equipments; ATVs and tractors with modifications to accommodate the disability; home modifications; accessible roads or paths to farm buildings and equipment; remote gate openers, some solar; environmental modifications to accommodate breathing conditions, i.e. COPD, lung cancers, etc; changes in seating on farm equipment; modified hitching devices; wheel chair lifts for vehicles; and modifications to skid steer equipment and other loaders.
Publications
- Bokros, L., 2012 Bi-Annual Newsletters; Kitzman, P., 2012 KARRN newsletters. Bokros,L., articles for AgrAbility E-Notes
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Progress 05/01/11 to 04/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Events: Information was presented or distributed at the following conferences, workshops and meetings: 11 KSU Field Days, National Farm Machinery Show; KARRN Conference; 2 UK AG Extension Agent Updates (2 day conferences at each); 3 KSU staff and Extension Agent training sessions; meetings with the Bourbon County Goat Association; the Bullet County Cattleman Association; The Whitley County Cattleman Association; District 6 and District 2 Extension Staff Meetings; Migrant Workers Employment Program; KSU Small and Limited Resource conference; Regional Vocational Rehabilitation Staff Meetings; 9 KARRN video conferences; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident Program; Western Kentucky Assistive Technology Workshop; CDRS presentation at Lexington; Assistive Technology Workshop (2 day meeting); National Conference on Aging; Western Kentucky Field Day; National ADED Conference; Driver Rehabilitation Technician Training; Kentucky Veterinary Conference; Kentucky Farm Bureau Conference; Disability Awareness for Boy Scouts camp; KSU Environmental Awareness Unit; National No Barriers Summit; National AgrAbility Workshop Activities and Services: 68 farm/farmer visits and assessments, 36 referrals to VR, 160 one-on-one consultations with the KY Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital; monthly meetings with KARRN; meeting with veteran farm coalition to set up future retreat for returning veterans. Products: Equipment for Ride N' Drive course including adaptive equipment for use in the course; hydraulic hitching device, right and left hand controls for use with either right or left side impairments; lifts for Kubota Utility vehicle and for John Deere tractor and skid steer. Videos for safe transfers from vehicle to wheel chair, wheel chair to tractor, wheel chair to utility vehicle and skid steer, brochures for distribution; two newsletters for distribution; video for proper seating and for pressure mapping; work at KSU farm for accessible green house farming; remote camera for ride and drive assessment and other driving and equipment operation assessments. Of the 72 active clients, with the help of the State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, AgrAbility was able to close 10 cases successfully modifying and adapting the farm equipment including, the purchase of a tractor equipped with a cab with filtered air, heating and air conditioning for client with COPD and lung cancer; fabricated lifts for several clients; automated gate openers for 3 clients; the purchase of utility vehicles; hand controls for vehicles, both tractor and utility vehicles; remote camera system; on- road vehicle modification. Funding of approximately $300,000 was obtained to allow disabled/injured farmers to continue farming in Kentucky. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Change in Knowledge: In the second year of the grant, 2012, the Kentucky AgrAbility Project was able to disseminate information to more than 400,000 people through the distribution of brochures, newsletters, videos, presentations and workshops. Information included available assistive technology for agricultural workers and their families, information on how to obtain services, information on ways to obtain funding for the assistive technology and adaptation to the home and farm, and safety information to prevent secondary injuries and accidents. We have been able to train approximately 400 allied health professionals, UK extension agents and staff, vocational rehabilitation specialists, KSU extension agents and research personnel is assistive technology and applications of the technology in the agricultural field. Through the purchase and training of the pressure mapping system we increased their knowledge of proper seating and the prevention of secondary injury. With the use of videos, meetings and brochures we have been able to further the awareness of safe farm equipment operation. In collaboration with the driver rehabilitation specialist organization, we have been able to teach at a national convention the importance of proper training in safety for the AgrAbility client. By presenting at the state and local conferences and workshop we raised the awareness of the National AgrAbility Project and the impact it can have on the agricultural community. While attending these meetings we were also able to view and learn about new technology that we are applying to the needs of our clients. Change in Actions: Because of the purchased equipment we are now able to show our client the types of assistive equipment available and can instruct them in how this technology can allow them to continue in agriculture after an illness of injury. Using certified driver rehabilitation specialist to assess the ability of the client, we can determine the best way for the client to safely operate the adaptive equipment they may need. University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University extension personnel are now familiar with the AgrAbility Project goals and are now referring clients to us. Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital staff are now able to recognize clients that will benefit from the AgrAbility Project and are able to make approximately 5 referrals per month. Change in Condition: Vocational Rehabilitation staff are now more versed in the services that can be provide to the agricultural community and are making the services available to the farmer. Approximately $573,000 has been provided this year to the clients of UK AgrAbility so that they may continue to farm in Kentucky.
Publications
- Bokros, L., 2011, August Bi-Annual Newsletter Bokros, L., 2012, February Bi-Annual Newsletter Kitzman, P., 2011, KARRN Newsletter
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Progress 05/01/10 to 04/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Events: Distributed and/or presented KY AgrAbility information at the following conferences: 11 KSU Field days; ADED Workshop; AgrAbility National Workshop; Assistive Technology Conference; Eastern KY Field day; KY Women in Ag Conference; National Farm Machinery Show; KARRN Conference; UK's AG Agent Update; UK Extension Districts 1 and 2 Staff Meetings; KSU Research Farm and Extension Staff Trainings; Anderson County Cattleman's Assoc. monthly meeting; Harrodsburg Rotary Club; Migrant Worker Employment Program; KSU Small Farm Conference; Regional Voc Rehab(VR) Staff Meetings; KARRN Videoconference; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident Program; West Tennessee Field Day; Sunbelt Expo; National Physical Therapy Meeting; KY Office of the Blind; Disability awareness merit badge to Boy Scouts; KSU Environmental Educational Unit; Accessible bee training workshops. Activities and Services: 56 farm/farmer assessments, 30 referrals to VR, 150 one-on-one consultations; weekly consultations with the KY Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, Monthly meetings with KARRN. Products: Equipment for Demonstration farm: fabricate modifications for skid steer loader; Skid Steer bridge; Kubota Utility Vehicle Lift, Hand Controls, seat modification and three-point hitch; John Deere Tractor Lifts and hitching devices; Transfer seat lift and wheelchair lift added to AgrAbility demonstration truck; Developed safe tractor operation assessment protocols, Training modules for assistive technology, physical accessibility, farm safety and AgrAbility. Online training for allied health professionals. Updated AgrAbility website(http://www.ca.uky.edu/anr/Agrability.htm). Develop Youtube channel for AgrAbility modifications and education; Meet with KY Veterans Administration Rehabilitation (a new collaboration). Technology for individuals: through collaboration with VR we have been able to design, fabricate and install electronic controls for clutch, brake, throttle and differential on 2 farmers tractors; 2 seated lifts; 6 standing tractor and combine lifts; helped farmers acquire 4 utility vehicles for mobility on the farm; 1 tractor with hydrostatic transmission and remote cameras; 2 loaders; 2 lift pods for tractor access; modifications to a skid steer including tracks, controller modifications, cab AC, camera system; wheelchair accessible kitchen modifications; automated poultry and egg processing equipment; vehicle modifications for on-road vehicles; mechanical hand controls for tractor. Through our collaborative cooperation with partners, AgrAbility was able to acquire an estimated $257,500 in funding for equipment enabling disabled/injured farmers to continue their livelihood and keep farming in Kentucky. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Outputs: Change in knowledge: Through conferences, workshops and displays we have directly informed/educated approximately 1000 consumer/farmers about the availability of assistive technology for agricultural occupations, the Kentucky AgrAbility project, and how to obtain services through the project. Indirectly through conference attendance, pamphlets, newsletters and updated websites, we have introduced the AgrAbility project to approximately 400,000 people. We have trained approximately 400 allied health professionals, UK extension agents, vocational rehabilitation staff, KSU extension agents, KSU research personnel in assistive technology applications for agricultural occupations and how to make referrals to the KY AgrAbility project. We have increased our knowledge in seating and positioning on farm equipment through the acquisition of and training on the pressure mapping system. Through research and application we have increased our knowledge of farm equipment and modified farm equipment's use and safe operation. Through collaboration with the driver rehabilitation program we have learned about procedures and processes for making determination of those individuals' specific needs to allow them to drive safely as well as taught driver rehab people when to refer individuals to AgrAbility. Through our attendance at these conferences, workshops and tradeshows we have learned about new and changing technology in the agricultural fields that we can apply to AgrAbility clients. Change in Actions: Because of our newly gained pressure mapping knowledge we have begun to use the technology to improve the seating and positioning on farm tractors and prevent secondary injuries. We are using a safe equipment training program to familiarize farmers with disabilities with the use of new and/or modified technology. We have a certified driver rehabilitation specialist who is involved in farm assessments. Kentucky Extension Agents are better versed and able to make referrals to the KY AgrAbility Project (From the District 1 Staff meeting in February 6 referrals were received). At Cardinal Hill inpatient and outpatient staff are now able to recognize clients for referral resulting in approximately 3 referrals per month. Change in Condition: Vocational Rehabilitation staff have become more aware of farmers and their requirement for off-farm employment. For this reason, Voc Rehab has recognized the need to provide services to individuals with disabilities who have dual employment. A new policy is being developed to address this issue.
Publications
- Bokros, L., Hancock, J., Hunter, E., Weber, C., Purschwitz, M., 2011, Kentucky AgrAbility, Promotes/disseminates AgrAbility educational information and assistive technology to Kentucky farmers and families as well as allied health professionals.
- Wasson, Katheran (2010). Farmers offered a lift: Latest equipment gets them back on the farm after injuries. The State Journal, Frankfort, KY, July 16, 2010.
- Hancock Speaks to Rotary, Harrodsburg Herald, February 2, 2011.
- Hunter, E.G., Hancock, J., Weber, C., Simon, M. (2011) Developing Innovative partnerships to address health disparities among underserved farmers with disabilities. Journal of Agromedicine (16), 2.
- Kitzman, P. and Hunter, E.G. (2011) Developing a community based rehabilitation network for people with spinal cord injury in Appalachian Kentucky. Journal of Rural and Community Development.
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