Visitors to this year’s Ohio Farm Science Review, September 20-22, can stop by the OSU Ag Safety and Health area to learn more about how Ohio AgrAbility helps bridge the gap so farmers with disabilities can continue to succeed. The AgrAbility exhibit area will contain several assistive technologies and informational resources to help farmers with a disability maintain productivity. Each day, AgrAbility staff will provide assistive technology "show and tell" sessions on items such as tractor lifts, standing wheel chairs, and simple solutions for grasping issues and arthritis.
Ohio AgrAbility has also partnered with the Universal Design exhibit in the McCormick Building on Friday Avenue. Universal Design is a user-friendly method for home accessibility. Ohio AgrAbility has extended those concepts to include the rest of the farmstead. This partnership has allowed for expansion of the exhibit area to include a garage or farm shop design, showcasing ergonomic tools and equipment.
A new addition this year to AgrAbility based activities at Farm Science Review is the creation of the "AgrAbility" Bus. Farm Science Review staff and Ohio AgrAbility partnered with the Madison County Ride program to provide a handicapped-accessible bus to meet the needs of individuals with a disability attending Farm Science Review. The "AgrAbility" Bus will be available from noon to 4 pm daily to transport individuals between the exhibit area and field demonstrations. The bus will be available at the main shuttle location near the Review administration headquarters building.
Farm Science Review is sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, OSU Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. It attracts upwards of 140,000 visitors from all over the country and Canada, who come for three days to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, and learn the latest in agricultural research, conservation, family and nutrition, and gardening and landscape.
Submitted by Kent McGuire