California

California AgrAbility staff attended the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers virtual conference, "CA Coming Together," hosted by Ability Tools. Keynote speaker Alex Ghenis spoke about impacts of climate change on agriculture and individuals with disabilities. He emphasized that most assistive technology can be connected to climate and disability in some way, and all new climate-related technologies must be accessible. Presenters from MyndVR, Triumph Foundation, FREED, and Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living (DRAIL), among others, led workshops highlighting topics such as assistive technology for connection and companionship with individuals living in assisted living communities, assistive technology for aging in place, and recycling, reusing, and refurbishing assistive technology tools.

Staff attended the UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety monthly seminar on the topic of "Workplace Sexual Harassment Among (WSH) Men and Women Farmworkers in California, USA, and Michoacán, Mexico." The seminar was presented by Kimberly Prado, a fourth-year epidemiology PhD student at UC Davis. Kimberly provided a background on WSH, an occupational hazard among farmworkers, and discussed her research among farmworkers in the United States and in Mexico. Focus group findings show that a significant number of women and men farmworkers are frequently exposed to workplace sexual harassment. The study's recommendations included rapid training for new hires and enforcing consequences. Ms. Prado's work also served to inform the UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety's education and outreach efforts on this topic. The center created the Sexual Harassment Prevention pocket accordion that has been distributed throughout California.

California AgrAbility attended the 11th AgrAbility National Training Workshop virtual session, "Tips for Aging Farmers and Ranchers." Speakers Richard Brzozowski and Brie Weisman of Maine AgrAbility led an interactive seminar in which participants shared tips for working with aging farmers and ranchers, addressing physical, psychological, medical, and economic factors. Richard and Brie aimed to provide participants with a better understanding of effective ways to work with aging farmers and ranchers, and resources about aging-related resources. Throughout the seminar, a list of tips for aging farmers and ranchers were compiled to be distributed to attendees.

Submitted by Sara Wat