First Ever Agricultural Assessment Training a Success
On May 18th and 19th, a group of 20 physical therapists, occupational therapists, and agricultural educators attended West Virginia AgrAbility's first ever 'Rural Rehabilitation: Agricultural Assessment and Accommodation' training.
Designed to provide therapists with tools to provide relevant treatments to farmers, the ten hour interactive workshop used first-hand client stories, video clips, hands-on assistive technology fabrication, and on-farm clinical exercises. The participants were provided with 'case study' farmers, for which they conducted assessments and provided recommendations for unique modifications to equipment, tools and facilities.
According to workshop evaluations, most trainees felt that the highlight of the training was its hands-on emphasis.
In addition to the instruction provided by Dr. Therese Willkomm, Lewis County Extension Agent Bruce Loyd conducted a session on farm culture, and Disability Program Navigator, Jennifer Shaffer, provided an overview of the many funding and other resources available for rural clients with disabilities.
Many thanks to Bruce Loyd (WVU Extension), Jennifer Shaffer (Center for Excellence in Disabilities), Tom Stockdale (WVU Safety & Health Extension), John Hyman (WVU Safety and Health Extension), Dr. Jim Kotcon (WVU Division of Plant & Soil Sciences), Ralph Utzman (WVU Division of Physical Therapy), Diana Davis (WVU Department. of Occupational Therapy) and Dr. Therese Willkomm (University of New Hampshire, Department of Occupational Therapy) for all their assistance in making the training a success!
If you would like to be contacted about future agricultural assessment training opportunities, call 304-293-4692 x1185 or e-mail agrability@hsc.wvu.edu.
Scroll down to see brochure information on the May 18th and 19th training, and click here to see photographs and videos from the workshop.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, West Virginia experienced the highest increase in the number of farms of any state in the country in 2006. Though farming is a rewarding and meaningful form of employment, it can also be risky, with potential primary, secondary or repetitive stress injuries translating into physical limitations on the job.
Occupational therapists and physical therapists can play an important role in preparing farmers to return home, where they can work, live and play safely and productively.
This workshop, sponsored by WV AgrAbility, the WV Occupational Therapy Association, and the Division of Physical Therapy at WVU, will help OTs, PTs and rehabilitation professionals become more competent providers of care to the agricultural population, who seek treatment in metropolitan as well as rural clinics.
Agenda
Day One
10:00 to 10:30 a.m. Registration
10:30 a.m. Introductions, Material overview
11:00 a.m. AgrAbility overview
11:30 a.m. Farm Culture, Lunch
1:15 to 5:00 p.m.
Farm Environment, Work Tasks & Hazards
Farm Site Assessment
Rehabilitations/Interventions
Agricultural Worksite Accommodations
Case Study Assignments
Day Two
7:30 a.m. Board Vans for WVU Farm
8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Case Studies: Farm Operations & Equipment
Agricultural Equipment & Utility Vehicles
Livestock Handling Facilities
Agricultural Machinery & Implements
Return to Hotel
11:00 a.m. Case Study Debriefing & Recommendations
12:00 p.m. Resources
1:00 p.m. Evaluation/Closing
About the Instructor
Dr. Therese Willkomm is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of New Hampshire and the Director of the New Hampshire Statewide Assistive Technology Program. In addition, she is a consultant for the National AgrAbility Project and has worked with more than 500 agricultural producers affected by disabilities over the past twenty five years. She holds a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Technology from the University of Pittsburgh and has presented on agricultural worksite modification in 32 states, five foreign counties, and three U.S. Territories. She has authored 22 publications, including her most recent book titled Make A Difference Today - Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes.
Future Trainings
To be announced...
