LONDON, Ohio -- The “AgrAbility” Bus will increase accessibility to events at Ohio State University’s Farm Science Review, Sept. 20-22 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. Review staff and Ohio AgrAbility partnered with the Madison County Ride program to provide a handicapped-accessible bus to meet the needs of individuals with a disability attending Farm Science Review.
The “AgrAbility” Bus will be available from noon to 4 p.m. daily to transport individuals between the exhibit area and field demonstrations. The bus will be available at the main shuttle location near the Review administration headquarters building.
“This is a great opportunity for farmers faced with the challenges of a disability to get out to the field demonstrations and see new tillage and harvesting equipment, and take a look at new crop production techniques and strategies,” said Kent McGuire, Ohio AgrAbility Program coordinator in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
Visitors to the Review can also stop by the OSU ag safety education area on Land Avenue in the exhibit area to learn more about how Ohio AgrAbility helps bridge the gap so farmers with disabilities can continue to succeed.
Ohio AgrAbility is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture promoting independence for people in agriculture who want to continue to farm after experiencing a disabling condition. The program works with a wide array of conditions, including brain or spinal cord injuries, back injuries, amputations, visual or hearing impairments, heart disease, respiratory problems, repetitive motion injuries, diabetes, and arthritis.
The display will contain several assistive technologies and informational resources to help farmers with a disability maintain productivity. Each day, AgrAbility staff will provide assistive technology “show and tell” sessions on items such as tractor lifts, standing wheel chairs, and simple solutions for grasping issues and arthritis.
In addition, Ohio AgrAbility will partner this year with the Universal Design exhibit in the McCormick Building on Friday Avenue. Universal Design is a user-friendly method of home accessibility. The partnership will expand the concept to include a garage and farm shop design, showcasing ergonomic tools and equipment.
To learn more about Ohio AgrAbility, visit www.agrability.osu.edu or contact Kent McGuire, OSU Agricultural Safety and Health, at mcguire.225@osu.edu or 614-292-0588.
Farm Science Review is sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, OSU Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. It attracts upwards of 140,000 visitors from all over the country and Canada, who come for three days to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, and learn the latest in agricultural research, conservation, family and nutrition, and gardening and landscape.
Farm Science Review pre-show tickets are now on sale for $5 at all OSU Extension county offices. Tickets will also be available at local agribusinesses. Tickets are $8 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20-21 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22.
For more information, log on to http://fsr.osu.edu. For the latest news and updates, follow Farm Science Review on Twitter or on Facebook.
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