When Disability Strikes a Farm Family, Everything Changes Except Perhaps the Desire to Continue farming
Maryland AgrAbility serves the communities of Mountain Maryland (Western Maryland) in conjunction with Resources for Independence and Delaware-Maryland Agrability.
It is estimated that 15 to 25% of farmers have a physical challenge or Health condition." What you might not know is modern technology can make it possible for a farmer with a disability to stay on the farm and keep working.
A Disability is any Physical Impairment That:
Keeps you from doing as much work as you use to do.
Keeps you from doing your necessary work.
Keeps you or your family member from doing routine daily activities, such as; walking, talking, and playing.
Arthritis
Stroke
Hearing Impairment
Back Pain
Muscular Dystrophy
Respiratory Problem
Spinal Cord Injury
Visual Impairment
Head Injury
Other Physical Conditions That Limit Your Activity
Farming is physically demanding work. However, modern technology can make it possible for a farmer with physical limitations or heath conditions to stay on the farm and keep working. AgrAbility can make it happen by:
Accessing agriculture work sites and task.
Recommending farm equipment modification, home modifications, and adaptive equipment.
Loaning equipment.
Providing peer support from other farmers with disabilities.
Referring families to local service providers.
Educating and training service providers through statewide regional training sessions.
Identifying funding sources.
AgrAbility can bring assitive technology to the farm by finding the right adaptations for you practical needs.
Everyday, new devices and methods are developed to make independent living and working possible and easier.
A remote control or lever extension for a door knob.
Joy sticks for improved and safe operation of equipment
A wheelchair, scooter or ATV for improved outdoor mobility.
Platform or Chairlifts to provide access to equipment.
Tools that can be used with one hand.
Coit Custer, Agrability specialist
Phone: 301-784-1774
Toll Free: 1-800-371-1986
Fax: 301-784-1776
Address: 708 Fayette Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Email:mdagrability@rficil.org
This material is based upon work supported by the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, under special project number 98EDFA-1-0268. For more information visit: www.de-mdagrability.org .
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