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Assistive Technology Resources National AgrAbility Workshop (2001 - 2008)
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Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and Their Families
State Project Feature: Missouri AgrAbility ProjectThe Missouri AgrAbility Project (MAP) has received continuous USDA funding since 1994. Missouri is ranked second in the nation for number of farms. MAP strives to provide services to farmers with disabilities and their families throughout the state despite the large number of farms. The three main partners that form MAP are the University of Missouri Extension, Services for Independent Living (SIL), and Midland Empire Resources for Independent Living (MERIL). Through this partnership, MAP is able to provide services that include farmhouse accessibility surveys, agricultural worksite assessments, assistive technology resources including equipment modification, educational programs, independent living resources, and technical support. A new outreach effort has been launched to provide assistance to migrant/seasonal farmworkers and their families. This effort also includes training for health care providers, educators, extension specialists, and others providing resources to the migrant/seasonal farm worker population. Partnerships provide valuable resources in helping to accomplish goals. MAP draws upon the resources of the University of Missouri Health Sciences Center; School of Health Professions; Missouri Alternative Center; National Center for Farmworker Health; Rehabilitation Services for the Blind; Missouri Assistive Technology Centers; Missouri Arthritis, Rehabilitation, Research and Training Center; and Regional Arthritis Centers. Collaborative efforts with these various organizations have allowed MAP to successfully develop and deliver a variety of resources. MAP leveraged funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to develop resources related to arthritis and farming. Recently, MAP was involved in producing an educational DVD on “Farming with Arthritis.” The DVD features farmers in real-life scenarios performing a variety of daily work tasks that demonstrate body movements required in farming. This type of information educates physicians and other health care providers about the specific challenges of farming with arthritis. “Gardens for Everybody” is a program that MAP has developed through another partnership. The program provides basic information on how to create an accessible garden. It also provides information on how to select and safely use ergonomic, enabling, or modified garden tools designed for people with limitations. This NIDRR funded project was a unique partnership between MAP, Lowes, Home Depot, and Wal-Mart.Missouri AgrAbility StaffWillard Downs, PhD, has been the primary investigator for MAP for eleven years and has worked for the University of Missouri Extension for fourteen years. Willard is an extension agricultural engineer who specializes in agriculture safety, health, and wellness issues and he oversees the Missouri AgrAbility Project.
Karen Funkenbusch has been the program director for MAP during the past ten years. Her responsibilities include increasing awareness of AgrAbility, developing educational programs, and establishing partnerships that leverage public and private funds in support of the AgrAbility mission.
Brad Marsh has been the Missouri AgrAbility Project coordinator for the Services for Independent Living (SIL) for eleven years. His responsibilities include farm and home site assessments and referral to appropriate community, state, and federal programs that support the farmer’s ability to continue working in agriculture.
Jackie Allenbrand has been the rural outreach specialist for Midland Empire Resources for Independent Living (MERIL) since September 2005. Some of her duties include conducting farm visits, teaching disability awareness to youth, and building relationships with various organizations such as hospitals, Vocational Rehabilitation, Farm Service Agency, farm dealerships, and extension councils.
Additional support is provided by KB Paul , program director of the Small Farm Family Program, Lincoln University; Russell Ramsey, farm management specialist and southeast region AgrAbility coordinator, University of Missouri Extension; Sandra Zaring, administrative assistant, University of Missouri; Angela Fletcher, human development specialist and south central region AgrAbility co-coordinator, University of Missouri Extension; James Thompson, farm management specialist and south central region AgrAbility co-coordinator, University of Missouri Extension; Robert Schultheis, natural resource engineer and southwest region AgrAbility coordinator, University of Missouri Extension; Craig Smith, natural resource engineer and northwest region AgrAbility coordinator, University of Missouri Extension; Beverly Ann Maltsberger, community development specialist, University of Missouri Extension; John Tharp, volunteer coordinator, University of Missouri Extension; Niharika Garud, web master, University of Missouri Extension; Kristi Perry, administrative assistant, University of Missouri; David Davis, human and environmental design specialist and northwest region AgrAbility coordinator, University of Missouri Extension; and James Crawford, natural resource engineer and northwest region AgrAbility coordinator, University of Missouri Extension.
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