Kelsey Badger, AgrAbility graduate intern and occupational therapy student, visited agriculture students at Sullivan Middle School to raise awareness about disabilities within the agriculture profession.
“Agriculture is a very dangerous occupation,” explained Ms. Badger. “The National AgrAbility project strives to enhance the independence of farmers and ranchers with disabilities.”
The presentation included interactive activities that addressed disability awareness. “The disabilities addressed were blindness, speech impairments, and amputations, [and] disabilities affecting musculature in the hands.” said Ms. Badger.
Students use peer mentoring as they attempt to construct a straw tower without the use their thumbs or dominant arm, or while closing their eyes or not speaking.
The "Socks, Socks, Socks" activity raised
awareness about musculature
disabilities. Students placed a pair of
socks on each hand and attempted to open a box of raisins, and take the raisins
out one-by-one.