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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
The Colorado AgrAbility ProjectTechnology is only part of the solution when considering how to meet the needs and goals of a farmer or rancher with disabilities. This is a fundamental philosophy of the Colorado AgrAbility Project. The project achieves a holistic approach to services through sharing interdisciplinary know-how from the disciplines of family counseling, psychology, occupational therapy, and technology. “You may be able to hand a person your idea of what the perfect tool or technology solution may be, but unless that person is motivated and psychologically prepared for it, it will wind up in a shed gathering dust,” states Carla Wilhite, former Project Coordinator. When conducting an on-the-farm visit, the staff seeks information about the participant’s physical abilities, stresses and concerns, general adaptability, and determines what barriers exist to accessing equipment, buildings, tools, and tasks. “Depending on what we find out, we will work with the participant in getting mentally prepared for using technology, as well as how to use the technology,” says Michelle Zorack, Case Manager. Sometimes an individual may feel using an adaptive piece of equipment is a negative event or admitting defeat. In this case, it is the staff’s job to help the individual work through the feelings and perceptions they have about adaptive devices. If dealt with in advance, acceptance of technology now and in the future is more likely to be positive. As an engineer and technologist, Jason Beck keeps the psychosocial in mind as he selects potential assistive and adaptive technologies. “The more that is known about the person, their preferences, and how they like to do the job, the better job I can do in assisting with a solution.” He always seeks the most natural, simple, and direct solution possible. Jason works with the individual to determine whether rearranging the environment will allow the task performance to happen, or whether a practical device or a high tech device will be needed. Almost all farmers and ranchers must deal with the stressors of unpredictable weather, declining farm commodity prices, and increasing costs. Studies suggest that people with disabilities are more vulnerable to stress and depression. Increasing the resiliency of AgrAbility participant’s is not overlooked. Bob Fetsch, the Project Director, conducts eight workshops a year that cover AgrAbility services and provides information and resources to farming and ranching families affected by disability issues on coping, stress, recognizing depression, and how to obtain assistance. Dr. Fetsch’s research indicates that families who hold regular family meetings can often reduce anger and conflict and promote a safe and harmonious household. This is just as important for families who are affected by disability issues, such as, giving care, re-assigning tasks and chores, getting to town for therapy or medicines, having inadequate time to get things done, and especially, changing roles within the family unit. A farmer or rancher who acquires a disability may feel that his/her role as head of the family is jeopardized or lost. They may feel “worthless” or “no good to anybody.” These feelings may be displaced on others through anger or resentment. Dealing with disability and its effects on relationships can be done in healthier ways. Learning good family communication skills is one way. Being empathetic and understanding, suspending judgment, and striving to look at the situation through the other’s eyes is a good beginning. Managing depression is tough, but it can have a significant impact on the success of a farmer or rancher with a disability if left unacknowledged and untreated. Recognizing the symptoms of depression is important (all or only a few may be present): sadness, hopelessness, negative thoughts, reduced activity, poor concentration, guilt, physical problems, or suicidal thoughts. According to Donna Schulte, AgrAbility program manager, “An AgrAbility participant who is depressed may have a harder time dealing with change, experience greater frustration when dealing with agencies, or simply give up on the process.” Colorado AgrAbility staff encourages the individual with depression to seek help through their physician or nearby mental health center. Peer volunteers can become an important resource in addressing the USDA goal of providing peer support. Dr. Fetsch, along with other state AgrAbility Project staffs, are working to develop a module that can be used to train peer volunteers in working with an individual with a newly acquired disability or chronic health condition. Peer support goes beyond the ingenuity network model of sharing information and practical know-how. The Colorado AgrAbility Project views peer support as requiring more in-depth training and preparation for the peer volunteer. The Colorado AgrAbility Project will begin piloting the new training this year. Colorado AgrAbility believes holistic assessment is the only way to go, realizing it will lead to better insight in to each individual’s needs and abilities. It allows the staff to customize recommendations and information for each participant, and possibly eliminate the “invisible” barriers caused by disability and health challenges. Colorado AgrAbility staff covers over 103,000 sq. miles of territory. The state is roughly divided into equal thirds of eastern plains, central Rocky Mountains, and western high desert. The agricultural production of the state is diverse: cattle, sheep, grains, orchard, wine grapes, potatoes, beans, cantaloupe, organics, dairy, and producers large and small. Irrigation is essential in most locations to grow agricultural products. Out of 63 counties, 23 counties are considered frontier, and 29 are rural (52 total). This vast western geography is a challenge to cover, but the Colorado AgrAbility staff is always willing to go where they are needed. The Staff at the Colorado AgrAbility Project
Robert Fetsch, Ph.D., is a Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Family Life Specialist. Dr. Fetsch is a teacher, researcher, and scholar, and has written extensively on dealing with stress, anger, and depression in rural and agricultural communities and families. Dr. Fetsch is the Principal Investigator and Project Director of the Colorado AgrAbility Project. Donna Schulte, is the head of the Easter Seals Colorado-Employment Services Program and is the Project Manager for the Colorado AgrAbility Project. Schulte has over 20 years of experience working in the disability field. Carla Wilhite, B.Sc, OTR, is the Project Coordinator for the Colorado AgrAbility Project. Wilhite is a registered occupational therapist with several years of experience in physical rehabilitation and home health care in rural communities. (Note: Wilhite moved to Oklahoma in June and is now with the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project.) Michelle Zorack, B.Sc., COTA, is the Case Manager for the Colorado AgrAbility Project. Zorack brings a strong background in psychology and is a certified occupational therapy assistant.. Jason Beck, B.Sc. Mech. E., serves as the Colorado AgrAbility Project Technologist. He provides technical assistance and information on assistive technology, modifications, and adaptations to the work-site to improve human task performance.
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