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

Bladder Tissue Pharmacokinetics of Intravesical Mitomycin C and Suramin in Dogs

Suramin, at non-cytotoxic doses, reverses chemoresistance and enhances the activity of mitomycin C (MMC) in mice bearing human bladder xenograft tumors. The present study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of the intravesical suramin and MMC, alone or in combination, in dogs. Animals received either high dose suramin (20 mg/ml), low dose suramin (6 mg/ml), MMC (2 mg/ml), or combination of low dose suramin and MMC, instilled for 2 h. The dosing volume was 20 ml. All groups showed dilution of drug levels over time due to continued urine production. For single agent suramin, the results showed (a) 5% to 10% penetration into bladder tissues, (b) minimal and clinically insignificant systemic absorption (i.e., undetectable at low dose or a peak concentration that was 6,000× lower than urine concentrations), and (c) disproportionally higher drug penetration and concentrations in bladder tissues at the higher dose. Results for single agent MMC are consistent with our earlier observations. The co-administration of MMC did not alter the plasma, urine, or tissue pharmacokinetics of suramin. Adding suramin did not alter plasma or tissue pharmacokinetics of MMC, but lowered the MMC concentrations in urine by about 20%. This may be in part due to accelerated MMC degradation by co-incubation of suramin or due to variations in urine production rate (because animals were allowed for water during treatment). Suramin readily penetrates the urothelium and into deeper bladder tissues, indicating its potential utility in intravesical therapy