Oklahoma hosts event for disabled farmers, ranchers

From The Oklahoman. In the picture, State Rep. John Enns uses a chair lift to get to his tractor in Waukomis in a 2007 photo. Enns, who was paralyzed in a farming accident, sponsored a bill that formed the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project.

Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers know their occupation is a risky business.

A 2000 study by Oklahoma ABLE Tech, which serves Oklahomans of all ages and all disabilities with assistive technology, reports 26 percent of farmers and ranchers, or about 17,000, in the state have had some type of disability that affects their livelihood or quality of life.

The second AgrAbility Day, scheduled for March 9 at the state Capitol, is intended to increase legislators’ awareness of those numbers and of the importance of the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project, which helps Oklahoma agricultural producers who have disabilities. Exhibits and large-equipment demonstrations are planned.

The project began in 2002 and has helped people with things as simple as high-illumination lighting in a barn and painted fences, which help people with deteriorating eyesight. More complex items include a modified cattle guard that prevent a rancher’s power wheelchair from tipping and a lift and hand controls on a tractor and pickup that help a person in a wheelchair continue farming.

In 2008, AgrAbility helped 31 families and gave information to about 35 more, said project co-director Linda Jaco.

"They could have got into that situation on the farm or away from it. Now it creates a barrier to do successful farming,” Jaco said.

An assistive technology specialist with the program visits farms and ranches to assess a person’s needs. Those applying for help are encouraged to request money from the state Rehabilitation Services Department.

The department is responsible for determining who is eligible to receive aid. Farmers and ranchers must share some of the costs.

The Rehabilitation Services Department last year provided $28,000 — and $200,000 since 2003 — to pay for technology needs of disabled agricultural producers, Jaco said.