The merging of resources and concepts from Ohio AgrAbility and Universal Design make a convenient model for gardening as an accessible hobby for all ages and abilities – as well as locations! Next week’s Farm Science Review offers the opportunity to not only learn more about AgrAbility and Universal Design but to also walk through a model home and garage with products, tools and assistive technology displays.
The Ohio AgrAbility Program is part of a national program that promotes independence for people in agriculture who want to continue to farm after experiencing a disabling condition. The program’s goal is to provide education, resources, and technical assistance to those individuals and their families so they may continue to be successful in agriculture. When working with farm families, the AgrAbility program will assess the needs and make recommendations which may include assistive technology. Assistive technology includes any kind of device, modification, or service to help a person with a disability work and live more independently. It might be high tech such as a vehicle modification to drive a car, truck or farm equipment or it might be low tech as in the example of adjusting the height of shelving or work space to reduce overexertion(PDF).
Universal Design has traditionally been used in home design and modification with the idea that environments and products should be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, regardless of age, size or ability. There is no single way to do Universal Design but there are useful suggestions and principles(PDF) that can be applied to different living situations. Like the previous examples on the farm, Universal Design features(PDF) may be minor. For example, replacing standard light switches with rocker switches or it might be a much larger project such as planning a kitchen design with counters at multiple work heights or a landscaped, no step entry to the home.
Although AgrAbility and Universal Design might have started in different places, advocates have recognized the similar goals and benefits for rural to urban residents – in the house as well as outside the home. For instance, gardeners face many issues similar to farmers although on a smaller scale. It is not unusual for individuals to face common physical challenges such as worsening vision, limited strength or flexibility and limited mobility. These are all reasons to extend Universal Design concepts from the home to the garage(PDF), shed, farm shop and barn. In addition, the AgrAbility tools and concepts can be shared from the farm to the urban and suburban garden to make gardening accessible(PDF)to as many people as possible.
Although The Ohio State University Farm Science Review is dedicated to current agricultural topics, with over 600 exhibitors as well as field demonstrations, it is not limited to rural farming. There is something foreveryone from educational sessions on urban farming to the Gwynne Conservation Area with wildlife, aquatic, woodland, energy, environment and conversation programs. There is so much to see at the Farm Science Review!
In regards to the displays related to accessible farming, gardening and living, make sure to visit all of the venues. The Ohio State University Area, 426 Friday Ave will have assistive technology displays and daily panels at 10:00am and 1:00pm of the Ohio AgrAbility Program – Farmers Sharing Experiences to Problem Solve Panel Discussion. The McCormick Building (near Friday Ave and Market St) houses both the Lowes Universal Design Product Display Home and the AgrAbility Universal Design Garage Display. Right next door to the McCormick Building is the Utzinger Memorial Garden.
Farm Science Review is from Tuesday September 22, Wednesday, September 23, and Thursday September 24, at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center at 135 ST 38 NE London, Ohio. Children under five are free and adults can purchase tickets online, at county Extension offices and onsite.
