Ohio AgrAbility Project: Cultivates Accessible Agriculture and Helps Disabled Farmers to Continue Farming

IMPACT. 1: Education: Annually, OAP reaches over 11,500 individuals with educational outreach activities; topics describe OAP services and demonstrate assistive technology and Universal Design concepts on the farm to prevent secondary injury. -- 2. Networking: A 10-member advisory board, a 6-farmer Peer coach network, and 230 students involved in capstone projects have linked agricultural solutions for real-world problems that farmer face. -- 3. Assistance: Many of OAP's 140 clients qualify for funds through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities or other external sources to improve their workplace. To date, $490,000 has been utilized on farms.OSU PARTNERS: College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Ohio State University ExtensionCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: United States Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture supports the AgrAbility Program: Ohio is one of 20 states that receive funding through this program. Grant partner: Easter Seals TriState Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD); USDA Farm Service Agency; County Boards of Developmental DisabilitiesPRIMARY CONTACT: Laura Akgerman ([email protected])Ohio AgrAbility Project's (OAP) mission is to promote independence through rehabilitation and established service capacity to meet the needs of Ohio farm families with disabling injuries. The program takes a comprehensive approach to optimize the clientele's farmstead planning and support their sustainability in an agricultural occupation. Through a combination of education, networking, and assistance the project builds bridges to connect agricultural clientele to disabilities services and appropriate technologies

Accessibility and Inclusion as an Approach to Enhancing Local Extension Programs

Providing accessible learning opportunities and inclusive programs are critical to Extension’s mission. Creating inclusive environments is more than consideration for individuals’ personal identity. Using principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) is an approach to intentionally build community and create new opportunities for education and growth. The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law requiring businesses and events to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states, “no qualified individual with a disability may be discriminated against in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” The legislation applies to Extension buildings, programs, and gardens that are available to the public. This article highlights Extension’s relevance for creating accessible spaces and programs with examples from four U.S. states. Extension professionals within AgrAbility, occupational health, and therapeutic horticulture describe their experiences integrating IDEA to enhance urban agricultural programs. They share best management practices and additional resources applicable for community gardens, greenhouses, agritourism, and urban agricultural spaces. When Extension professionals and their collaborators strive to make urban programming accessible, they enhance the quality of life for participants. Applying disability service concepts to urban communities maximizes the Land Grant’s mission to create inclusive environments, ultimately impacting agricultural sustainability