Cornell Cooperative Extension
Millions
of Americans earn their living in agricultural production
and related occupations. They find agricultural work / productive
and satisfying. For most, it's not just a livelihood--it's
a way of life.
Agricultural
production is hazardous. The National Safety Council estimates
that more than 100,000 farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural
workers experience injuries and occupational illnesses every
year. A sizable percentage of these agriculture-related injuries
are serious and permanent. As many as 500,000 persons working
in agriculture have physical disabilities that interfere with
their ability to perform essential tasks on the farm or ranch.
Tens
of thousands of agricultural workers also become disabled
in off-the-farm accidents or through illnesses or health conditions,
such as heart disease, arthritis, or cancer. Others experience
limitations as they grow older, including decreased vision
and hearing or loss of strength. These disabilities often
prevent rural residents from continuing in agricultural production
or related work.
Additionally,
thousands of children born into agricultural families have
disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation,
and epilepsy. Physical and attitudinal barriers often prevent
these children from participating fully in farm and ranch
operations and from engaging in social and recreational activities
enjoyed by other rural youth.
The
majority of people with disabilities who work or live in agricultural
settings want to continue an agricultural way of life. All
too often, they are frustrated in their attempts. Rural isolation,
limited personal resources, gaps in rural service delivery
systems, and inadequate access to agriculture-oriented assistance
are among the obstacles these individuals face.
Fortunately,
the AgrAbility Project offers solutions. AgrAbility is a national
project operating in New York and 13 other states. It involves
Cooperative Extension and private, non-profit disability service
organizations. Education and assistance are available to accommodate
disabilities, eliminate barriers, and create a favorable climate
among rural service providers for people with disabilities.
The
AgrAbility Project assists agricultural and agribusiness workers
who have physical and mental disabilities, which may include
one or more of the following: amputation, multiple sclerosis,
arthritis, muscular dystrophy, back pain, post-polio syndrome,
cancer, respiratory problems, cardiac problems, spinal cord
injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, deafness and hearing impairments,
traumatic brain injury, mental retardation, and blindness
or vision impairments.
AgrAbility
project staff help by:
- assessing
agricultural work sites and suggesting modifications;
- suggesting
how equipment may be adapted;
- assessing
agricultural tasks and suggesting how they may be restructured;
- mobilizing
and coordinating community resources and services;
- facilitating
rural independent living;
- coordinating
peer counseling and support groups;
- stressing
agricultural safety and prevention of secondary disability;
and
- becoming
an advocate for individuals and families served by the project.
AgrAbility
projects also offer education and training for rural professionals
regarding the impact of disability on agricultural production
and rural living. In addition, AgrAbility promotes increased
awareness among the rural public that people with disabilities
can and do work in agriculture.
In New
York State the project is called FarmAbility. For assistance,
farmers should call Doreen Greenstein at 607-255-1143. The
mailing address is FarmAbility, 330 Riley-Robb Hall, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
Source:
Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Provider: Ag Information Services -- News & Publications, Penn
State
August 2, 1993.
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