Accommodating Disabilities in Agriculture

AgrAbility estimates that there are 38,740 Wisconsin farmers with some type of limitation or disability. AgrAbility staff design a customized assistance plan based on the type of agribusiness, type of disability and the needs of the individual with the disability and his or her family.

This plan could include:

• assistive technology
• farm job restructuring
• identification of funding sources
• stress management
• peer support involvement
• farm safety
• community and health care coordination

Some farmers and their families may not think of a health problem as a disability, even though the day to day tasks of an agribusiness may become increasingly difficult to perform. Many farmers will contact AgrAbility of Wisconsin, unsure if his or her disability is severe enough to be eligible for the program. The severity of a disability is not a factor of qualifying for the program.

AgrAbility of Wisconsin is designed to help farm families experiencing the effects of numerous disabling conditions including, but not limited to:

• Arthritis
• respiratory impairments
• hearing and visual impairments
• chronic back pain
• amputations
• other conditions