Assistive Technology Recommended for and Obtained by Farmers with Disabilities R. T. Schuler, P. Leverenz and M. E. Novak 2009 National Training Workshop AgrAbility Grand Rapids, MI October 5-8, 2009 AgrAbility of Wisconsin

AgrAbility Program Initiated USDA funding in 1991 Provides education and assistance to farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Provides assistance through worksite assessment on the farm or ranch Recommends assistive technology equipment for the farmers and ranchers AgrAbility of Wisconsin

AT Reutilization Study Goals: To understand the types and costs of AT used by WI farmers To understand the farmers’ use of AT devices over time in WI Develop a used farm AT equipment referral and exchange service AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Methods Selected 204 clients: Served by AgrAbility of Wisconsin Served by WI Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Closed cases between 2001 and 2006 Developed and conducted a phone survey in collaboration with the UW Survey Laboratory AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Survey Results 204 farmers called 178 (87.3%) responses 26 farmers unable or refused to respond –Disconnected number –Unable to answer –Refused –Deceased Average Age years Gender percent males Still farming percent AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Role on the farm (n – 178 respondents) RoleNumberPercent Owner/operator Spouse/partner Employee AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Work status (n – 178 respondents) Work statusNumberPercent Full time Part time Not working AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Primary farm enterprise (n – 178 respondents) EnterpriseNumber Percent Dairy Livestock Field crops Fruit & Veg Other AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Primary disability (n – 178 respondents) DisabilityNumber Percent Back, joint Amputation Arthritis COPD Spinal cord Diabetes Cancer Stroke Other AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Origin of disability (n – 178 respondents) Origin Number Percent Agricultural related injury Tractor/mach Falls Livestock Other Non-agricultural related injury Motor vehicle Recreation Other Chronic, non-incident AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Year of worksite assessment YearNumberPercent (valid responses) No data AgrAbility of Wisconsin

More results For 204 farmers: 1467 pieces of AT were recommended For 178 farmers: 1287 pieces of AT were recommended For 178 farmers: 1094 pieces (85.0%) of AT were obtained 1017 pieces (93.0%) in use or plan to be used 77 pieces (7.0%) not being used 193 pieces (15.0%) of recommended AT were not received. AgrAbility of Wisconsin

AT reutilization study – AT cost Initial* Surveyed* Obtained AT Clients Cost$7,624,944 $6,888,756 $5,928,033 Cost/client $37,377 $38,701 $38,000 AT #’s Cost/AT $5198 $5315 $5379 * Recommended AT AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Commonly recommended pieces of AT Steps for tractors-most common (154, 11.97%) AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Common recommended pieces of AT Utility Vehicles-Second (113, 8.78%) AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Commonly recommended pieces of AT Seat and suspension (84, 6.53%) Skid steer loader (57, 4.43%) AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Commonly recommended pieces of AT Manual feed cart (50, 3.89%) Feed bin and auger (49, 3.81%) AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Commonly recommended pieces of AT Milking systems (47, 3.65%) Powered feed cart (44, 3.42 %) Animal handling (46, 3.57%) AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Most frequent pieces of AT equipment recommended and obtained AT equipment Recommended Obtained for 178 respondents (n = 1287) (n = 1094) Steps for tractors 154 (11.97%) 129 (11.79%) Utility vehicles 113 (8.78%) 101 (9.23%) Seat and suspensions 84 (6.53%) 78 (7.13%) Skid-steer 57 (4.43%) 52 (4.75%) Manual feed cart 50 (3.89%) 39 (3.56%) Feed bin and auger 49 (3.81%) 42 (3.84%) Milking equipment 47 (3.65%) 41 (3.75%) Animal handling eq. 46 (3.57%) 40 (3.66%) Powered feed carts 44 (3.42%) 39 (3.56%) AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Number of AT pieces recommended for/obtained by each of the 178 Farmers Number of pieces Recommended Obtained (number of respondents) (number of respondents) (did not receive any pieces) Total AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Condition of equipment in use or planned to be used – Current condition NumberPercent (valid) Excellent Good Poor Broken No response AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Impact of the assistive technology on ability to complete farm chores Helps with chores Number Percent (valid) Helps a lot Helps quite a bit Helps a little Does not help No response 4 -- AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Equipment not being used - 77 Still have – 58 Condition Excellent – 34 Good – 23 Broken – 1 Fixed or modified – 10 Have gotten rid of – 19 Sold or given to another farmer – 5 Trade – 10 Something else – 4 Willing to sell or give to another farmer with a disability – 30 Not willing to sell - 26 AgrAbility of Wisconsin

List of equipment available for sale or to be given to another farmer with a disability(1) Equipment CostCondition Animal handler or chute $11,060.00Good Auger posthole $1,019.00Excellent Automatic hitches $1,265.00Good Automatic hitches $1,570.00Excellent Automatic hitches $470.00Excellent Calf cart Kozy Kalf $ Excellent Calf cart $ Excellent Calf cart $ Excellent Camera closed-circuit TV $1, Good Computer equipment $ Excellent AgrAbility of Wisconsin

List of equipment available for sale or to be given to another farmer with a disability (2) Equipment Cost Condition Controls or switches $ Good Controls or switches $ Good Gate (s) crowd gate $7, Good Gate (s) drive-through gates (3) $ Excellent Hand truck $ Broken Handrail (s) $39.00 Good Heavy-duty radios, 2-way (2) $ Good Milking system auto.take-offs(5) $12, Good Milking system $30, Excellent Mower 5' rotary cutter $ Excellent AgrAbility of Wisconsin

List of equipment available for sale or to be given to another farmer with a disability (3) Equipment CostCondition Seat and suspension $1, Excellent Step (s) with handrail-IH560 $ Good Step (s) with handrail $ Good Step (s) with handrail $ Excellent Tiller electric start roto-tiller $ Excellent Tractor with loader (used) $10, Excellent Upper hand devices $91.00 Good Upper hand devices $91.00 Excellent Wagon (large) bale wagon $ Excellent Water heater $ Excellent AgrAbility of Wisconsin

An equipment exchange Facilitate direct seller to buyer contact Develop a Craigs List-type system Allow seller to lists his/her’s available equipment Allow buyer to find equipment of interest on the web site Buyer contacts seller directly. Website: farm.eastersealswisconsin.com AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Easter Seals Wisconsin web site wi.easterseals.com FARM Program

Ag. Equipment Exchange

Reutilization Web Site Activity as of September 18, 2009 Web site became available August, 2008 Number of AT items posted – 17 Number of AT items transferred – 7 Value of AT items transferred - $32,925 Number of AT items currently listed – 10 Value of AT items currently listed - $40,035 AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Examples of AT transferred Agri-Speed Automatic Hitches: 3 - Chopper wagon hitches, 1 - Chopper hitch, 1 Additional wagon hitch and 1 tractor hitch may be available also In-barn Bale Wagon: WIC bale wagon with 4-wheel steering system. 1,500# capacity. 85"x30"x33" " pneumatic tires. Provides steering around corners. Excellent condition. Must be picked up. Easyline Milker Carrier: Easyline track system for 66 stall barn. Includes carrier trolleys for five (5) units Power Chair Lift: Life Essentials power chair lift for tractor. Previously on IH-656 tractor. Unit has been removed from the tractor. Lift must be picked up. AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Examples of AT Available (September 18, 2009) Hand Clutch - JD 4020: Removable hand lever fits over foot clutch. Manufactured by Life Essentials. Never used. Needs to be picked up or pay shipping. Platform Lift: Life Essentials platform lift. New unit - used 3 days. Unit is off of the tractor. Previously on MF tractor. Will need mounting brackets. Will need to be picked up. Automatic Take-offs: 5 - Boumatic milker units with one-hand connection. Milkhouse receiver group also available. Step Kit : For late model JD Needs to be picked up. AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Summary AT equipment is being used AT equipment is in good condition and helps with completing chores Some of the unused AT equipment is available to other farmers with disabilities A web site was established to facilitate the exchange of AT equipment AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Further Analysis to Consider AT equipment versus enterprise AT equipment versus disability AT equipment versus disability origin AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Questions and Discussion AgrAbility was supported by USDA-CSREES grant and The reutilization study was supported by RSA, OERS, USDOE grant H235V AgrAbility of Wisconsin

Questions and Discussion Suggested discussion topics: AgrAbility of Wisconsin