AgrAbility
AgrAbility Farm Ground Breaking
November 18, 2009
November 18th was a ground breaking day. The University of Georgia officially began construction of the AgrAbility Farm, a groundbreaking facility to showcase the latest assistive technology to aide agricultural workers with disabilities or chronic health conditions. Individuals can see the latest assistive devices, work site accommodations, demonstrations by farmers and receive hands-on expert advice—all in one place.
The Department of Labor estimates approximately 288,000 agricultural workers experience physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities that affect performing one or more essential work tasks. In Georgia, it is estimated that between 25,000 and 35,000 individuals living in an agricultural household have a disability. When a farm worker falls ill, it imperils the continued operation of the farm business and the financial security of entire families. Finding solutions to return to work is critical.
Once complete, AgrAbility Farm will be open to the public and will encourage school groups, health care and rehabilitation professionals to attend a wide variety of trainings that will be held at the facility. “It will be unlike any other facility of its kind. From a lift that can aide someone in a wheelchair to get in the tractor to hand controls that can operate an all terrain vehicle, there will be a wide variety of displays for people to see”, said Becky Brightwell, AgrAbility Project Director. Future plans include creating a gaming program so people from around the world can virtually experience the farm.
AgrAbility Farm is part of the AgrAbility grant program. This free program promotes independence for members of the agricultural community who have disabilities. With assistance from the program, agricultural workers with disabilities can return to productivity. AgrAbility is a national USDA grant funded program. In Georgia, the University of Georgia's Cooperative Extension Service in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Institute on Human Development and Disability in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences jointly manage the AgrAbility grant.
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