AgrAbility for Africa

The International AgrAbility Network is a global initiative by the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) that is intended to guide and support projects that provide services and resources to farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and their families with disabilities around the world. It is through this arrangement that the AgrAbility for Africa staff constructed two BiCrawler Wheelers, and one was donated to Mrs. Nabawanuka Agnes, a farmer in Uganda. This was made possible by Ned Stoller, Michigan AgrAbility's assistive technology specialist, founder of Disability Work Tools, and leader of the International AgrAbility Network. Ned has leveraged his creative assistive technology expertise and resources to reach out to underserved farming populations worldwide by supporting them in adapting to a wide variety of disabling conditions, improving their overall productivity, health, and well-being.

On August 19, the AgrAbility for Africa team was invited to join in a conversation by Chaeli Campaign, a social justice foundation in South Africa focused on changing society's views of the capabilities and role of children with disabilities. Staff joined in the Impact Story Initiative to enhance the effectiveness of their social inclusion mission, to improve the quality of client engagement, and to build expertise in mobilizing communities and groups to respond to and support the transformation of lives of children with disabilities.

The conversation helped the AgrAbility for Africa team improve their communications and interpersonal connections through learning about different personal engagement approaches, inclusive activities, and programs. Borrowing from the different experiences, the AgrAbility for Africa team will enhance the quality of client case management and their overall program impact - leading to happier children and more productive and healthier farm families.

Submitted by Mutumba Faisal