AgrAbility

Find invaluable information on farm safety and the AgrAbility project, designed to assist agricultural workers and farmers with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Discover Penn State Extension expert tips on assistive technology and read inspiring stories of farmers who have overcome obstacles to continue farming.

Farming With Health Conditions and Disabilities

AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians is a project specially designed for agricultural workers and farmers with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Funded through the US Department of Agriculture, the project strives to provide the support and invaluable resources needed to live independently and remain or return to production agriculture.

The services provided by AgrAbility are free of charge. These include on-site farm assessment to identify barriers to completing tasks and chores, identifying safe assistive equipment and devices, peer support, and access to educational training opportunities.

Pennsylvanians with a physical, cognitive, intellectual, or sensory impairment that limits important life activities may be eligible for AgrAbility services. Some of the more prevalent disabilities and health conditions that affect PA farmers include, among others, spinal cord injury, arthritis, stroke, heart conditions, diabetes, and visual or hearing loss.

On this page, farmers with disabilities – as well as their family members – can obtain more information about the project and find answers to common questions regarding AgrAbility.

Assistive Farm Technology

While AgrAbility does not provide direct funding for equipment, the program works closely with third-party funding sources to help farmers obtain the necessary assistive technology.

Assistive technology (AT) refers to any piece of equipment or product system that is used to maintain, increase, or improve functional capabilities with disabilities. AT can be acquired commercially or specially modified or customized.

Generally speaking, the modifications needed for agriculture worksites can vary greatly depending on the disability and farm operation. Various mobility aids, for instance, can be extremely helpful in reducing the strain on hips and knees when walking on uneven terrains. These utility vehicles may be used to bring in cows for milking, check fences, or monitor plant growth. For those suffering from joint injury or arthritis, automatic hitching systems can be crucial for enabling them to hitch/unhitch wagons without getting off the tractor.

Adding assistive technology to equipment can also help workers and farmers with disabilities effectively monitor their surroundings. Installing a cab camera allows the operator to see what is around the equipment without turning their head or body. This, in turn, can improve ergonomics, enhance productivity, and increase safety. Access Penn State Extension resources for additional information on assistive technology and AgrAbility PA.