2006 National AgrAbility Project Training Workshop

Registration – Conference Center Hallway, Hilton Jackson

Tour Mississippi Agricultural Museum
http://www.mdac.state.ms.us/n_library/departments/ag_museum/index_agmuseum.html

Bus will be available to transport participants from hotel to museum and return trip.

Opening Session: Goin’ to Jackson – Mississippi Here We Come!

Dinner: Catfish Fry and Fixins

• Welcome – Dr. Ron Schuler, National AgrAbility Project, University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, Project Leader
• Dr. Lester Spell, Mississippi Secretary of Agriculture
• Keynote Speaker: Brad Kennedy “Reflections on Biking Across America”
• Farmer’s Panel – Paul Gallo, host of the Number One Rated Mississippi Morning Talk Show ( WFMN-FM), will interview farmers who will talk about their agricultural operations.

Hospitality Room Open

Breakfast

Registration – Conference Center Hallway

Break

Concurrent Sessions I

Social, Occupational, and Medical Aspects of Spinal Cord Injury

This session will provide an overview of spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) and discuss the latest treatments and assistive technologies designed to maximize functional capacity.

Presenter:  Samuel P. Grissom, Medical Director, Spinal Cord Injury Program, Methodist Rehabilitation Program

[AgrAbility1.ppt]
[AgrAbility2.ppt]

Duct Tape, Velcro and Beyond

This hands-on workshop focuses on creative uses of everyday materials to solve everyday life challenges for rural and farm families affected by disabilities.  Over 50 tools, materials and techniques for creating, fixing, or adapting assistive technology solutions in minutes will be demonstrated.

Presenter: Therese Willkomm, PhD, ATP, Director of AT in NH Program- Institute on Disability, Clinical Assistant Professor - OT Department University of New Hampshire

New Staff Orientation

Overview of AgrAbility and National AgrAbility resources available to state project staff.

Presenters: National AgrAbility Staff and Karen Hunter, USDA

[AgrAbilityIntrotoOrientation2006.ppt] Dr. Ron Schuler

The Hand and its Function

Presenters: Carla Wilhite, OTR/L, Oklahoma AgrAbility and Millee Jorge, Ed.D., PT/L Dean and Director, School of Physical Therapy, Langston University

[The Farm Hand.ppt]

The Road to Independence: The ADA and Home Modifications

This session will offer guidelines for ramps, lifts, doorways, bathrooms, and environmental aids to daily living.

Presenters: Jimmy McDaniel and Toni Borst, Rehabilitation Technologists, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitative Services and Roger Paayman, Adaptive Solutions, Inc. Mobile, AL

[ASI Presentation.ppt] Roger Paayman
[AgrAbility Home Pres.ppt] Jimmy McDaniel and Toni Borst [some slides may not have descriptions for their graphics and may not be accessible]

Public Relations and Media Involvement

Presenters: Paul Gallo with Supertalk Radio Network, Leighton Spann with MS State University Extension Service, and Orley Hood with the Clarion Ledger

Impact of a Disability on the Farm/Ranch Family

A disability affects not only the individual experiencing the disability, but also family and care givers. What is the role of AgrAbility professionals to support those taking care of disabled farmers? This session will explore some of the issues faced by families experiencing disability and how AgrAbility professionals may be of assistance.

Presenter: Angela Fletcher , Human Development Specialist, South Central Region AgrAbility Co-Coordinator
University of Missouri Extension

[2006 National conf presentation.ppt]

Driver Rehabilitation: Reclaiming the Road

This session will describe what is included in an adaptive driver assessment. Information will be discussed regarding clinical and behind-the-wheel assessments, adaptive equipment recommendations, and vehicle style considerations to meet the client’s needs. The use of driving with bioptic lenses will also be reviewed. 

Presenters: Cliff D. Dedeaux, OTR/L, ATP, CDRS and Wes L. Perry, MSBME, ATP, CDRS,  TK Martin Center for Technology and Disability, Mississippi State University

[Driver Rehabilitation - Reclaiming the Road.ppt] [some slides may not have descriptions for their graphics and may not be accessible]

The Latest on Specialized Agriculture Funding Options

A panel comprised of representatives from the National Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, and Value Added Producer Grants will discuss agricultural funding opportunities for farmers and ranchers.

Panelists: James Hill, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program, Charlie Joiner, USDA Rural Development; and Monica Short, Farm Loan Specialist, Farm Service Agency.

[AgrAbilityppt.ppt]
[farmloanoutreach-monica short.ppt]

West Nile Virus

To learn about the history, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, possible treatment, and prevention of West Nile virus infection.  In addition, emerging therapies and future research will be discussed

Presenter: A. Arturo Leis, MD, senior scientist, Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery; chief of medicine, Methodist Rehabilitation Center; and clinical professor of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Advances and Innovations in Prosthetics and Orthotics

Numerous advances in the fields of Prosthetics and Orthotics have improved the ease of adaptation for individuals with disabilities to rural environments. This session will introduce several of these devices with patient models.

Presenter: Chris Wallace, BS, CPO, Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, Director of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Methodist Rehabilitation Center

[Select this link to request this presentation from the National Staff. The presentation will be mailed on a CD. Please note, not all parts of this session are accessible.]

Liability: Product vs. Professional

Continuing our presentation and discussion about liability issues from past workshops, Mr. Huitink and Mr. Palmer will present contrasting sides to some of the issues surrounding product and professional liability.  Bring your questions and be prepared to enjoy an informative session.

Presenters:  Gary Huitink, PE., manager of Huitink Consultants, Inc., Little Rock, AR., and Henry Palmer,  Partner in the law firm of Lawyers, PLLC, Meridian, Mississippi. 

The author, Mr. Huitink, addressed professional liability from an engineering perspective because that is his profession and experience. The concepts presented in his two handouts (Microsoft Word documents) are readily transferable by professionals in many fields, and with proper application, are essential for today's educational and service organizations.

[handout1]
[handout2]

[Mr. Henry Palmer, is a partner in the law firm of Lawyers PLLC, in Meridian, MS., presented material that is archived on the Liability Resources web page. Please visit that page to review Mr. Palmer's handouts.]

Breakfast

Break

Concurrent Sessions V

Diabetes

Dr. Marshall Bouldin will present an informational session on diabetes (e.g., statistics, symptoms, management). In addition, the presentation will include how diabetes may affect a farmers body (e.g., limited mobility, possible amputations, vision loss) and how that may impact the farmers ability to continue work on the farm. Dr. Bouldin has extensive experience working with diabetes in rural areas. He will describe his current work with agri-medicine in the Mississippi Delta area.

Presenter : Dr. Marshall Bouldin

[Agrability 1106a.ppt] [some slides may not have descriptions for their graphics and may not be accessible]

Utility Tractors

Interactive discussion on the various features of utility tractors, and how those features might impact the accessibility of the tractor.  We will also review and learn how to use the utility tractor comparison tool. This session will have a number of utility tractors for participants to examine.

Presenter : Herb Willcutt, Mississippi AgrAbility Project, Mississippi State University, Mark Novak and Ron Schuler, National AgrAbility Project, University of Wisconsin Madison

[UtilityTractorNTW2006a.ppt] Mark Novak
[Important Features for Utility Tractors 11 15 06a.ppt] Herb Willcutt (Note, Herb's presentation is ~ 8MB in size. If you have a slow
internet connection, you can also select this link to request this presentation from the National Staff. The presentation will be mailed on a CD.)

Painless Data Collection Using MS Access – double session- bring laptops if feasible

This hands-on session will teach you to accurately collect the 10 client demographic data points, create reports, convert data from your old records, how to adapt the database for your needs, and collect client satisfaction and impact evaluation data. A database template will be available for you to use, modify and take home after the training.

Presenters : Kathryn Pereira, National AgrAbility Project, Evaluation Specialist and Cally Ehle, AgrAbility of Wisconsin Outreach Specialist*

*with contributions from the following SRAPS: CA, CO, DE/MD, MI, MO, New England, WV, WY.

[Painless_Data_Collection_Using_Access.ppt]

OT/PT Update

Helping your clients understand their rights and procedures that must be followed to advocate for needed services.

Painless Data Collection Using Access – double session

Lunch and Legislative Update

Follow up to the 2004 NTW “Farm Gaits” session

More detailed information on how to make observations about gait and record them.

Computer Access and Augmentative Communication

Add description: This session will provide an overview of adaptive computer access and augmentative communication. Information will be provided on the decisions making process for choosing equipment. A variety of equipment will be demonstrated.

Presenters: Janie Cirlot-New, M.S., CCC-SLP and Jill Ethridge, OTR/L, TK Martin Center for Technology and Disability, Mississippi State University

[ATT2176196.ppt]

Working with AfricanAmerican Farmers

Learn more about African American culture, values, and farming as well as the health and economic issues experienced by African American farmers.

Presenter: Anthony Reed, Mississippi AgrAbility, Alcorn State University Extension

Peer Support—State and National Project Activity

This session will provide an overview of the National AgrAbility Project’s peer support training program and resources; coupled with a discussion of the successes and challenges faced by staff of Colorado AgrAbility’s peer support program and the recently conducted pilot peer support training program by Kansas AgrAbility.

Presenters: Douglas Carmon, National AgrAbility Project—Easter Seals; Robert Fetsch, Colorado AgrAbility Project—Colorado State University; Kerri Ebert, Kansas AgrAbility Project—Kansas State University

[Peer Support 2006 NTW 2.ppt] Doug Carmon and Kerri Ebert
[AANNPST11.1506a.ppt] Robert Fetsch

New Developments in Agricultural Equipment

This session will include information and possibly demonstrations of several different agricultural related products now available, which have either been improved, or are new to the field.

Presenter : Herb Willcutt, Mississippi AgrAbility Project, Mississippi State University; Mark Novak and Ron Schuler, National AgrAbility Project, University of Wisconsin Madison; Hubert von Holton, Life Essentails, Brookston, Indiana; and Paul and Jennifer Lugert, Contacts for AgCam [(701) 538 - 4565, jenny@agcam.com, paul@agcam.com]

[NewDevelopmentsinAgEq1.ppt] Mark Novak (to see the video, please visit the John Deere web site at: http://www.deere.com/en_US/homeowners/, and select utility tractors.)
[NAPNewDevelopmentsWeb.ppt] Ron Schuler
[Select this link to request this presentation from the National Staff. The presentation will be mailed on a CD.] Hubert von Holton

If We Build a Partnership Network will They Come?

Integrating needs assessment, process evaluation, and impact evaluation  to estimate community needs, to monitor service delivery, and to gauge program impact.

Presenters: Ronald Jester, Delaware/Maryland AgrAbility Project; Robert Wilson, University of Delaware; and Bob Coen, Volunteers for Medical Engineering

[Needs Assessment for NAP Workshop 2007.ppt] Ron Jester
[AGRABILITY.ppt] Bob Coen
[Mississippi Presentation.ppt] Robert Wilson

Breakfast

Southern Agriculture

Tours of Simmons Catfish Farm and processing operation, cotton farm and a cotton gin. Meet in lobby of hotel to load buses for tour*.

Lunch

Return to Hilton-Jackson.

* Departure and return times are approximate. Please note that this tour will take all day on Thursday, November 16. The tour will not return to the hotel until early evening. If you would like to attend the tour, please be sure to select that option when registering for the conference.