New Mexico

Staff from the New Mexico AgrAbility Project participated in an assistive technology event in Farmington, NM, led by New Mexico Technology Assistance on August 20. The event was sponsored by the San Juan Center for Independence. Approximately 40 professionals attended the event and learned more about technology using eye-gaze input devices and other apps. Participants learned about the mission of AgrAbility, the New Mexico partners, how to make referrals to the program, and examples of "farm" AT.

Submitted by Carla Wilhite

Staff Changes and Recognition

Deborah Wieclaw is the new AgrAbility specialist with the New Mexico Technology Assistance Program. She has an associate degree from CNM, a bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico, and holds a master's degree in agriculture from New Mexico State University. Deborah is from, and continues to live in, the South Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

She has a diverse history working with individuals with traumatic brain injury, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and age-related challenges, where the goal is not to simply live, but to live purposely by adapting and overcoming obstacles. Deborah also has an extensive history working in animal husbandry that includes pets, livestock, and exotic animals. As a youth, Deborah competed in horse shows and rodeos, and participated in 4H. More recently she has participated in competitive archery and helped in junior rodeo events. She is relatively new to riding motorcycles and looks forward to her first Poker Run for charity.

At home, Deborah and her husband maintain the tractors and a vegetable garden. Home security and pest control are left to the dogs and cats of the household. She raises chickens and goats and keeps a domestic life that is busy, especially when the animals are in charge and the leader of the pack is a 36-inch-tall horse named PT.

Submitted by Tracy Agiovlasitis