Disabilities in Agriculture
Over 4,000 injuries occur on Wisconsin farms each year, many resulting in permanent disabilities. AgrAbility estimates that there are 38,740 Wisconsin farmers with some type of limitation or disability. In the entire United States, agricultural production is one of the most hazardous occupations with the highest disabling injury rate of any industry.
AgrAbility serves those agricultural workers who are limited by any type of physical, cognitive, or illness-related disability, such as:
- amputation
- arthritis
- back impairment
- deafness/hearing impairment
- developmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy or autism
- disabling diseases, such as cancer or heart disease
- mental/behavioral health problems
- respiratory diseases
- spinal cord injuries
- stroke
- traumatic brain injury
- visual impairment
AgrAbility serves WI farmers
AgrAbility services are available to those individuals and their families who are engaged in farming or farm-related occupations and are coping with the effects of a disability. Services provided at the home or farm are confidential.
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 their family. This plan could include the following services at no cost to customers:
- Conducting on-site assessments to identify barriers to completing tasks both in the agricultural workplace and the home.
- Recommending appropriate assistive technologies (equipment/tools/devices), modified work practices, and/or other possible solutions to overcoming disability-related limitations.
- Providing access to informational materials on a variety of topics related to disability and agriculture.
- Providing education/training opportunities through workshops, conferences, seminars, and on-line programs.
- Referring customers to other service providers for potential assistance (e.g., financial, rehabilitative, educational) specific to the clients’ needs.
- Arranging for peer support opportunities that connect customers with others who have successfully accommodated their disabilities.
AgrAbility does not provide direct funding or equipment. However, AgrAbility often works with the state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and other funding sources to help customers obtain needed assistive technologies and modifications.
AgrAbility of Wisconsin
This material is based upon work supported by the AgrAbility of Wisconsin project award no. 2022-41590-38131 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.