The National AgrAbility Project is supported by AgrAbility Project, USDA/NIFA Special Project 2021-41590-34813.

What is an Assistive Technology Assessment

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Steve Swain, ATP

National AgrAbility Project

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Ned Stoller, ATP/RET

AgrAbility Agricultural Engineer

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sugarbush

Introduction to Assistive Technology Assessments

An assistive technology assessment is a careful study of a person and their abilities, environment, and activities so we can recommend solutions that enable them to do necessary tasks.

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Today’s goal: Improve core competencies of farm AT evaluators and review for the RESNA ATP exam.

Learning Objectives

Lesson 1. Define assistive technology (AT).

Lesson 2. Explain why AT assessments matter.

Lesson 3. Employ the principles of AT service delivery.

Lesson 4. The HAAT Model: Evaluate the Human factors.

Lesson 5. The HAAT Model: Describe the Context.

Lesson 6. The HAAT Model: Record the Activities.

Lesson 7. The HAAT Model: Select Assistive Technologies.

Lesson 1. �Define Assistive Technology (AT)�

What is Assistive Technology (AT)?�

Any item, piece of equipment, or product system,

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whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized,

that is used to increase, maintain, or improve

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functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

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(Assistive Technology Act of 1998)

The Ag AT Service Delivery Cycle

• Referral finding appropriate candidates for AT interventions by phone interview
• AT Assessment and evaluation of farm site with rehabilitation professionals
• Make a plan listing outcome measures and recommending AT interventions
• Implement the plan with the farmer, funders, AT suppliers, fabricators
• Follow-up to make sure AT is functioning as intended and outcome measures are met
• Follow along to revisit steps 2,3,4 as needed

Greenhouse production AT

• Trellis systems with suspended twine spools
• Overhead reaching or climbing step-stools to lower and lean vines weekly
• Pruning vines at knee level weekly
• Climbing and fine motor skills

Shoveling AT

Assistive technology

AT

Low-tech �AT examples:��-simple to build�-easy to understand�-available materials

AT is NOT conventional farm equipment

Let's think about Lesson 1!�Define Assistive Technology...

Do you see assistive technology? https://forms.gle/1gsWaFSEcGeP1kNQ6

Lesson 2. �Explain why AT assessments matter.

What is an Assistive Technology Assessment?

An assistive technology assessment is a careful study of a person and their abilities, environment, and activities so we can recommend solutions that enable them to do necessary tasks.

Goals of an AT Assessment

• Finding the right AT the first time saves time and resources!
• To evaluate the client’s ability to safely complete desired work-related tasks
• To inventory assets available as a basis for developing alternative solutions, including new enterprises
• Opportunity to discuss desired AT, modifications, task restructuring, or reassignment.
• Is success being able to operate the AT well, or getting the job done?

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What is worse than having no AT?

• The wrong AT may be worse than no AT
• Frustrated with poor outcomes
• Worsened medical condition
• Reduced function or efficiency
• Inconvenient for other workers

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Outcomes of AT Assessments

• Better understand farming operation, client’s role on the farm, and modifications needed
• Identify significant workplace barriers and functional limitations
• Identify specific client goals
• Help the person with disability meet their outcome measures with proper AT.

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Avoid Abandonment

• Very critical to include the customer in the AT assessment process!
• and include caregivers in the assessment!
• Why would a farmer abandon AT?

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ABANDONMENT

I broke my leg when I used it

Abandoned

1. Unmet consumer goals
2. Unmet caregiver goals
3. Lack of skills
4. Unrealistic expectations
5. Unmotivated
6. Intimidated
7. Functional abilities/ needs have changed
8. Self-esteem
9. Lack of training

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1. I’m scared of electronics
2. My MS is worse now
3. I really don’t think I can do anything.
4. I never even needed that
5. I thought I could use it to reach, but can’t
6. I never liked that task
7. My caregiver won’t learn to use it
8. I broke my leg using it
9. I don’t know how to

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Let's think about Lesson 2!�Why AT assessments matter.

Why would you abandon this? https://forms.gle/XKGLS5CEQyMv2on57

Lesson 3. �Employ principles of AT service delivery.

Principles for Providing AT

• Keep the consumer and their goals as the central focus
• Focus on functional abilities and potential

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1. That’ll NEVER work!

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Principles for Providing AT

• Offer the simplest but still effective solutions

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Principles for Providing AT

• Do no harm

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• Safety of what is being done Risk of potential secondary injuries. 
• Ethics of safety – if they are going to do it anyway, should we help improve it?
• What AT is the farm is already utilizing? What AT is abandoned? Why was it?
• What existing equipment could be used as AT?
• Risk of AT to co-workers (removing steps to attach a lift -- too slow so they jump)
• How "handy" is the farmer - can they do modifications?

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Liability

• Liability is all about managing risk – agriculture is inherently risky
• You must be aware of both “professional” and “product” liability and/or risk.
• Products and practices pose professional liability risks for AgrAbility staff
• One of the best ways to manage or limit your liability or risk is to never practice outside your educational or “experiential” role.
• Document, document, document
• Professional liability insurance
• Follow the “safety hierarchy”

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Don’t forget who we’re serving

The farmers with disabilities are the primary team members. They have the right to know all about the available AT and services, advocacy, independence, and due process for disagreement and opinions about the AT!

Worksite Assessment Equipment

AgrAbility Considerations before for On-site Visits

Preparation for assessment

• Multiple people 
• Client stakeholders 
• Pictures - ask
• Dogs
• Firearms   
• Unwanted sexual advances
• Vehicle placement
• Check-ins

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Inside home

• Alcohol and drugs
• Odors
• Aggressive or agitated clients
• Equipment – don’t get run over
• Restroom
• Outerwear
• Biosecurity
• Behavioral health
• Duty to report

Let’s practice Lesson 3!�Employ principles of AT service delivery.

This really helps, but could it do harm? https://forms.gle/nSwBxNaDfjVXTj5C7

Lesson 4. �The HAAT Model of AT assessment: Evaluate the Human factors

Human Activity Assistive Technology Model (HAAT)

Cook, Albert M., and Susan M. Hussey. Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice. St. Louis: Mosby, 2002. Print.

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HAAT Model

HAAT Human considerations

Physical

• Age, size
• Medical diagnosis
• Functional limitations

HAAT Human considerations

• Cognitive
• Motivation

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HAAT Human considerations

• Emotional
• Ambition

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HAAT Human considerations

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Expertise

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Let’s think about Lesson 4!�Evaluate the human factors.

Expertise, emotion and medical advice. https://forms.gle/NV5cRFLCjd4dgpjx5

Lesson 5. �The HAAT Model of AT assessment: Describe the context.

Human Activity Assistive Technology Model (HAAT)

CONTEXT –

Environment: extreme temps, exposure to elements, dust, humidity, rough terrain

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Social: family, employees, finances, legal, pain management, opinions about doctors

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Culture: work expected, farm is identity, food safety, government aid

HAAT Context - environment

Social context – who has the disability and who is the caregiver?

Caregiver Buy-in

• Why is it important?
• Device Abandonment
• Ownership
• Investment
• How do we get buy-in?
• Communication
• Involved in selection process

Cultural context – older farmers keep on working

Let’s think about Lesson 5!�Describe the context.

Environmental, social, & cultural context. https://forms.gle/jUPtN5bD65p56596A

Lesson 6. �The HAAT Model of AT assessment: Record the activities.

HAAT Activity- you need to study and understand farmer’s tasks!

• Fill flats, seeding, watering, light adjustment, pot filling, transplanting, carrying pots, tillage, mulch, weeding, irrigation, spraying, cultivating, pruning, harvest, washing, packaging, transporting, sales, bookkeeping, field clean up

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Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.

“Textbook” for new staff

• Step-by-step approach
• Designed to cover all the bases

“Playbook” for experienced staff

• Improve assessment effectiveness
• New angles, ideas

Physical Abilities Needed for Farming

• Timing is crucial. The work needs done at proper times and seasons regardless of the farmer’s preference.
• The farmer needs to be able to get all the necessary tasks done on time.
• You can only get up so early and stay up so late! 24 hours runs out.
• If it hurts to work and is unpleasant, there is less motivation to do it, and less likelihood of success on the farm.

HAAT Model Activity

• Activity – when a person lacks the capacity to complete a task, the manner must be changed by using AT
• Hundreds of activities
• Farm, house, personal
• How do we prioritize?
• Remember the person
• Remember the context

Physical Abilities Needed for Farming

• Place a value your time.
• Do most important things FIRST!
• Evaluate your farm enterprises, and spend time on profitable efforts.
• Be more efficient at things that need done most frequently. DAILY CHORES!
• Invest in tools and equipment that give you the abilities you need to get essential tasks done on time.

Prioritize tasks with SMILES!

• Safety. Are you safe doing it?
• Money. Is it financially important? 
• Independence. Could other workers do it?
• Liking it. Do you enjoy it?
• Expense. How easy is it to accommodate?
• Spending time. How frequent is it?

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Let’s think about Lesson 6!�Record the Activities.

Prioritize the tasks needing AT. https://forms.gle/kRaktieZbutzJ7jr8

Lesson 7. �The HAAT Model of AT assessment: Select Assistive Technologies.

Human Activity Assistive Technology Model (HAAT)

• To provide interventions that meet the outcome measures:
• Consider the person
• Consider the context
• Consider the activity
• Identify Assistive Technology last!

Who can help us with information resources?

• For agriculture-specific commercial and DIY AT, emerging technologies, appropriate service providers, and training opportunities stay in touch with National AgrAbility social media and www.AgrAbility.org
• For general disability-relevant policies and regulations, advocacy and training opportunities contact your Center for Independent Living https://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory
• For general commercial AT, emerging technologies, and relevant AT research contact your state AT Act Program https://ataporg.org/
• For job accommodations www.askJan.org
• Consider your source with youtube homesteaders!!!

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Agricultural AT Availability��www.AgrAbility.org/toolbox

AgrAbility Arthritis Resources

• Arthritis and Gardening
• Arthritis and Agriculture
• Plain Facts about Arthritis
• ¿Podrá ser la Artritis lo que me causa Dolor? (Could Arthritis be the cause of my Pain?)
• Gaining Ground on Arthritis DVD
• Email ListServ

Ideas from YouTube

Sources of Agricultural AT

www.Amazon.com Search ‘agriculture tools’

https://gemplers.com/collections/grease-guns-supplies

https://www.northerntool.com/categories/farm-acreage

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Let’s practice Lesson 7!�Select Assistive Technologies.

Use the Toolbox to find AT! https://forms.gle/FD2o9yUNfrZNAhBR7

Outcomes of AT Assessments

• Better understand farming operation, client’s role on the farm, and modifications needed
• Identify significant workplace barriers and functional limitations
• Identify specific client goals
• Help a person with disability meet their outcome measures with proper AT.

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What is an AT Assessment?

An assistive technology assessment is a careful study of a person and their abilities, context, and activities so we can recommend solutions that enable them to do necessary tasks.

Worksite Assessment .3 CEU

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RESNA CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT (CEU)

POST TEST AND SESSION EVALUATION

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The National AgrAbility Project is supported by AgrAbility Project, USDA/NIFA Special Project 2021-41590-34813.