Laura Akgerman, Disability Services Coordinator, Ohio AgrAbility Project
The Ohio AgrAbility Program’s dual missions of education and assistance to farmers with disabilities were on display at the 2019 Farm Science Review September 17 - 19. Staff, farmers and vendors were on hand to answer questions, greet visitors, demonstrate assistive technology and equipment, and talk about Ohio AgrAbility.
OAP featured a new exhibit area in 2019 – Ohio AgrAbility: A Focus on Livestock, with adapted equipment and information posters detailing how modifications and Assistive Technology can help famers with and without disabilities farm safely. The equipment featured included an automated door from Propel Sliding Door Automation which opens and closes heavy and cumbersome doors with no effort, and no need to leave the vehicle. The doors can be installed on existing sliding doors, and the doors lock when closed. This benefits a farmer who has limited or no mobility, or difficulty climbing in and out of their vehicle to operate a door.
The PWR EZ systems power fold auger can be operated from the operator’s seat, and eliminates the need to climb onto the combine and into the grain bin to fold the fountain auger up or down. This increases safety for anyone operating the combine, and allows a farmer who cannot climb onto the combine to move the auger to continue working safely and independently.
The vendors displayed and demonstrated their products, answered questions, and worked with staff and farmers to problem solve issues that may limit the farmers productivity or ability to safely use and access their equipment and facilities.
For more information, please contact Laura Akgerman, Ohio AgrAbility and OSU Extension Disability Services Coordinator, at Akgerman.4@osu.edu, or 614-292-0622.