2008 National
AgrAbility Workshop

Time

Tuesday, November 11

Powerpoint

8:30 – 10:00 am

Morning Sessions A

Livestock Behavior
Presenter: Temple Grandin, Colorado State University

Dr. Grandin will discuss cattle behavior and how to handle cattle in a calm, humane manner.

State and Regional AgrAbility Project (SRAP) Partnerships
Facilitator: Ron Schuler, Wisconsin AgrAbility

A panel of several SRAPs will engage in a roundtable discussion of relationships between project partners, i.e., the land grant university and the nonprofit disability partner(s). Different SRAP organizational styles will be discussed; for example, on some states the extension staff conducts the worksite assessments and the nonprofit partners do public awareness, while others reverse that or have totally different service models. Discussion will include both successes and experiences that were not so successful. Audience members will be encouraged to share their own experiences.

Overview of VR
Presenter: Manuel Lugo, Deputy Administrator, Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Manuel Lugo will discuss the Rehabilitation Act regulations governing the federally-mandated vocational rehabilitation program and how it pertains to farmers with disabilities and how your AgrAbility Project can develop a relationship with your state VR agency.

10:00 – 10:30 am

Break

10:30 am– 12:00 pm

Morning Sessions B

Introduction to new National AgrAbility Project Team

The new NAP team, consisting of members from the Breaking New Ground Resource Center at Purdue University, Goodwill Industries International, and the Arthritis Foundation, Indiana Chapter, will introduce the new NAP structure and work plan.

12:00 – 1:30 pm

Lunch with welcome from USDA Project Leader Brad Rein

1:30 – 3:00 pm

Afternoon Sessions A

Assistive Technology to Reduce Slips, Trips, Bumps and Falls
Presenter: Therese Willkomm, ATinNH (Assistive Technology in New Hampshire Program)

This hands-on session will explore assistive technology solutions that can be used to reduce slips, trips, bumps and falls for agriculture producers affected by various disabilities. The session will include hands on exploration of slip resistant materials, alternative footwear to reduce slips and falls, new types of cane tips and crutch tips, padding materials, lighting solutions, electronic hazard warning devices, outdoor mobility aids and assistive technology solutions to reduce falls when using a wheelchair or a lower extremity prosthetic device. In addition, this session will also explore assistive technology solutions to reduce the severity and impact that a fall can have such as the use of: communication devices, fall detection devices, padding to prevent fractures, and devices and strategies to help you get up after a fall.

Evaluating the Impact of Direct Client Services
Presenter: Bob Fetsch, Colorado AgrAbility

The AgrAbility Evaluation Group will present a session on their efforts at evaluating the impact of AgrAbility direct client services. They will present the quantitative results of their 2007-08 pilot study that attempts to measure how effective is our AgrAbility program at improving our client's quality of life and at enhancing their ability to remain in production agriculture. A panel of SRAP project staff will also discuss their experiences with implementing the study, what they learned, and how to implement a study in other states.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Presenter: Janet Williams, Community Works Inc.

This presentation will discuss common symptoms and barriers faced by individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The presenter will share strategies used to help individuals with TBI continue in their family and work roles. Information for possible national and regional resources available for networking and consumer support will be shared.

Livestock Handling at Wichita Farm Show

Ten squeeze chute manufacturers will work 100 head of 500 to 700 lb. steers and heifers just off the range heading for the feedlots. Ear tag manufacturers, animal health providers and crowding tub displays will also be incorporated into the demos. See the latest chutes and other livestock equipment, learn about vaccinations, chute side manners and hear the newest from the pharmaceutical reps. Tim Fuller, area rodeo announcer, will announce the daily events and give his insight of the cattle situation. After each demo, ranchers are invited down to operate the chutes and visit with factory reps. Do not miss the chance to do side-by-side comparisons and shop for the chute that fits your operation.

3:00 – 3:30 pm

Break

3:30 – 5:00 pm

Afternoon Sessions B

Options in Upper and Lower Limb Prosthetics: Where are we and what needs to be done?
Presenters: Kathy Waldera, MS and Craig Heckathorne, MS, Northwestern University RERC for Prosthetics and Orthotics

What prosthetic options are currently available, what improvements are needed, and how can these improvements be made real? Representatives of the Northwestern University Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Prosthetics and Orthotics will describe the state-of-the-science in upper and lower limb prosthetics with emphasis on the needs of farmers and ranchers. A discussion of research initiatives will follow in which the audience is encouraged to share experiences with problems using prosthetic devices in farming and ranching.

Farm Financial Issues
Presenter: Bryan Schurle, Ph.D., Professor, Agricultural Economics,
Kansas State University

Money matters seem to come up quite often when working with AgrAbility farmers. This session is designed to help participants gain a basic understanding of how the general farm economy works and the types of business structures used by farmers. Dr. Schurle will include information about where the cash is on most farms and why it sometimes seems the farmers we work with are cash poor. He will also touch on how AgrAbility staff can help make a meaningful referral to help a farmer access financial assistance.

Working with Veterans (Veterans Affairs)

A large number of veterans from current and past wars return to farming and agricultural production. This session will explain the eligibility process for Veterans Affairs and documentation requirements for farmers and ranchers who were veterans. Information on the range of services available from regional Veterans Affairs programs will be provided. Lastly, the presenter will explain the team model used by Veterans Affairs to provide services to eligible veterans.

Livestock Handling at Wichita Farm Show (cont.)

8:30 – 10:00 am

Wednesday, November 12

Powerpoint

8:30 – 10:00 am

Morning Sessions A

McGyve-AT in Minutes – Creative Problem Solving On The Fly
Presenter: Therese Willkomm, ATinNH (Assistive Technology in New Hampshire Program)

Participants will use McGyve-AT Kits and learn how to quickly fabricate easy solutions or create rapid prototypes. Ninety percent of assistive technology solutions do not work perfectly the first time. Tweaking and creative problem solving on the fly is often needed. This two-part session will provide participants with hands on experience using 30 different and types of specialty tapes, adhesives, plastics, fasteners, lubricants, soft and ridged foam, cutting and heating tools, and composite materials. Each participant will use these materials to fabricate at least four assistive technology solutions.

Career Decisions through Enterprising Ideas
Presenter: Steve Swain, Breaking New Ground

AgrAbility professionals interact with clients daily who have had disabling injuries or are affected by age-related or other health conditions. The majority of clients desire to remain in production agriculture but are faced with the potential of changing enterprises or methods of farming. How does the professional assist the client in this process? This session will present a framework for the professional to assist the client in a systematic approach to these decisions. Case studies will be presented to show how and when the process was used (or not used) along with outcomes.

Behavioral Health
Presenters: Michael Rosmann, AgriWellness, and Randy Weigel, Wyoming AgrAbility

Farmers, farm workers, and ranchers comprise a special population whose behavioral health needs are seriously underserved. Behavioral health is a more encompassing term than mental health and includes conditions of stress and anxiety, self-destructive behavior, addiction, adjustment disorders, and/or interpersonal relationship difficulties. This presentation will describe this agricultural population, plus economic, social, and demographic factors affecting wellbeing, and will identify unique behavioral health risks. Barriers to effective health care will be addressed, along with recommendations to reduce these barriers. A report of the current status of the Farm & Ranch Assistance Network and the National Center for Behavioral Health will be included.

Deere Training Facility

Participants will travel to the Wichita Deere Training Facility, a classroom-style center, for instruction on:
1. Ergonomic design
2. Precision agriculture technologies with applications for AgrAbility clients

10:00 - 10:30 am

Break

10:30 am– 12:00 pm

Morning Sessions B

Working with Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation
Presenter: Del "Wade" Walters

Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation programs are federally funded services that help American Indians with disabilities gain and/or maintain successful, suitable employment. The presenter will describe the process of becoming a TVR consumer, ways in which TVR and other programs can work as a team to better serve the consumer, and the process of building plans for successful outcomes. Tips on how to address the cultural differences encountered while working with the American Indian consumers will be shared during an open Q&A portion of the session. The session will address Section 121 (Tribal VR) of the Rehabilitation Act (as amended): (1) Referral, (2) Application, (3) Eligibility Determination, (4) Services, and (5) Employment Closure.

McGyve-AT in Minutes – Creative Problem Solving On The Fly (cont.)

What VR Considers When Working with Farmers
Presenters: Don Crouse, Randi Grubbs, Lisa Reed, Kansas Rehabilitation Services; Jeannie Sharp, Kansas AgrAbility

Rehabilitation Services is a valuable resource to help a farmer or rancher meet their employment goals. Kansas Rehabilitation Services and Kansas AgrAbility have collaborated to provide services to several farmers and ranchers in the past ten years. This session will focus on issues related to eligibility and assets, the basics on business plans as an operation changes or expands, and what rehabilitation counselors need from AgrAbility staff in order to best serve farmers and ranchers. The presenters will review the process they use in their state to facilitate developing a plan, assessing a client's needs, and developing recommendations that are supported by the counselor, client and AgrAbility staff. Specific examples from Kansas cases will be used.

Deere Training Facility (cont.)

12:00 – 3:00 pm

Lunch

1:30 – 3:00 pm

Afternoon Sessions A

Ergonomics
Presenter: Rob Stuthridge, National AgrAbility Project, Purdue University

This session will explain how the tools and techniques of ergonomics are essential to "needs analysis" and to the design and evaluation of physical and behavioral interventions and accommodations as these relate to disability in agricultural settings. Illustrated by various farming and livestock management case studies, including the presenter’s work as a rehabilitation ergonomist in such cases, the session will outline a systematic approach to reducing the reliance on potentially dangerous and wasteful "trial and error" approaches in arriving at cost-effective solutions for agricultural workers with disabilities seeking greater independence in agricultural workplaces.

Farm Service Agency Program Overview and Partnering with AgrAbility Projects
Presenter: Trish Halstead, Kansas FSA Agricultural Program
Specialist.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster, and loan programs through its network of federal, state, and county offices. Learn about the loan programs administered by FSA and how AgrAbility and FSA can work together to help farmers achieve their goals.

PI Meeting with USDA

USDA AgrAbility Project Leader Brad Rein will meet with SRAP principal investigators for questions, answers, and discussion

3:00 - 3:30 pm

Break

3:30 – 5:00 pm

Afternoon Sessions B

Assistive Technology Suppliers

This session will be a show-and-tell with various suppliers of assistive technologies applicable to farmers and ranchers with disabilities.
AT suppliers currently scheduled for the session include:

• Life Essentials, Brookston, IN
• Foresight Services, Lowell, MI
• The Standing Company, Saginaw, MI

One State’s Experience Training VR
Presenters: Ron Schuler and Paul Leverenz, Wisconsin AgrAbility

In order for state VR staff to better serve the farm population, they must become familiar with farming and the opportunities for farmers with disabilities to be accommodated in the farmers’ places of work. A curriculum for doing this evolved into four trainings over a period of nearly four years. Each of these trainings was conducted in several areas of the state to better accommodate the travel needs of the DVR staff from the eleven Workforce Development Areas. After the initial training, AAW discovered the VR staff did not understand some fundamentals about farming therefore later training focused on farm culture, economic importance of agriculture, alternative agriculture, and farm tasks.

Focus Group Options

Attendees are invited to participate in focus groups that will have direct input into NAP initiatives. The session will include two simultaneous breakout groups from which participants may choose.

Group I - Samuel Mathew, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Specialist, National AgrAbility Project

One of the activities being undertaken by the new National AgrAbility Project is to develop an assessment tool to evaluate the potential for secondary injury when farmers with disabilities use assistive technology. This is expected to help rehabilitation professionals make more informed decisions concerning the recommendation of AT. The focus group is will attempt to solicit feedback on possible features for the development of the assessment tool. Participants will have an opportunity (1) to share insights related to secondary injuries, ande (2) to provide valuable inputs in developing the assessment tool. Possible points for discussion will include: AT features, relevance of type of disability, age and mental health of user, user training etc.

Group II - Clifford Racz, Information Technology Specialist, National AgrAbility Project

The National AgrAbility Project is in the process of implementing new web-based resources for use by State/Regional AgrAbility Projects, other professionals, and farmers/ranchers themselves. This session will be an open-format focus group and discussion allowing for individuals to (1) identify which resources would be most useful and helpful on the website, and (2) explore other technologies that will equip the projects to more effectively perform their tasks (e.g., webinars, web 2.0 technologies, hand-held and mobile device accommodations).