Ability Agriculture

💥 Ability in Agriculture - Independent Report Launch 💥 December 3rd 2023 Today is International Day of Persons with disability. This IDPWD we thought we'd launch our first independent report uncovering insights into the support, adaptations, current perceptions and the road forward for disability inclusion & adaptions in agriculture. Why? The Ability Agriculture Foundation undertook this survey for a few reasons: -there is limited published data on farmers or agricultural workers with disability in Australia, further there is limited understanding of agricultural accessibility and the major barriers to inclusion or accessibility in agriculture and our rural communities -our industry and broader society do not have baseline metrics on the disability confidence or inclusion of our agricultural industry from settings of employment, agricultural services, awareness & access to resources -a need for greater understanding to the adjustments, supports, resources & adaptions in rural areas for individuals, agricultural workers & employers to build inclusion and agricultural accessibility Over the next week we will post some of our key statistics these may be the first baseline for Australian agriculture. These may be some statistics that are conversation starters over your Graze to Raise morning tea. Importantly our road forward is through more than just advocacy, it is through support & collaboration, working with industry & the broader disability community. If there's any one thing from our Ability in Agriculture Report to take away, we don't need to anecdotally say "we believe", but we know agriculture has the ability and want for positive & proactive change. It’s the reason this incredible supportive Ability Agriculture Community has formed. National Farmers' Federation Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) Ltd Grain Growers Limited AgriFutures Australia The Weekly Times National Disability Insurance Agency

Increasing accessibility transparency in the agriculture industry from the city 🏙️ to the paddock 🌾 We’re in Melbourne today as the official accessibility partner for the AusAgritech investor showcase and gala. It’s been great to see our accessibility transparency list around the event venue. It was great to be able to support AusAgritech in creating its accessibility information & content for their event for event communications, from event assistance, identify the closest accessible accomodation available & parking and assisting with any accessibility questions & consideration for the event. Make sure to come and say g’day if your attending or would like to chat about accessible ag Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Agriculture Victoria #abilityagriculture #accessibilitypartner #inclusiveag #ausagritech

We’d like to congratulate our first Ability Agripreneur Maddison Pearce - the Calf trolley 🐮 To help assist with the heavy lifting of calf lifting during calving season on dairy farms. Maddisons background and how her idea came about: Maddison has worked in the dairy and research industry on farm and in management. After an agricultural incident Maddison designed the cow trolley as it would make picking up and carrying calves an easier task for herself and also potentially create a safer and less strenuous way of collecting calves for dairy workers during calving season. Ability Agricultures Agripreneur scholarship will connect Maddi with engineering and business mentors and help Maddi with taking her idea to the next step such as a product development plan that could consider manufacturing costs and how the calf trolley may be useful for other tasks on farm or for other farmers. If you have an idea for accessible agriculture we still have 2 Agripreneurs scholarships available. Applications can be submitted via our website abilityagriculture.com Image: SIA Sydney Dairy Australia #abilityagriculture #abilityagripreneurs #inclusivedesign #adaptiveag

The Ability Agriculture Foundation is proud to be the accessibility partner of the 2024 Australian Agritech Investor Showcase assisting with increasing the inclusion & accessibility transparency of the event. We’re looking forward to celebrating Australian Agritech. If your looking for an accessibility partner and support for accessibility inclusion & transparency in agriculture for your event in 2024 contact the Ability Agriculture Foundation. #abilityagriculture #aginclusion #accessibilitytransparency

Repost from Nuffield Australia Rob Cooks PDF report on adapting in Beef Farming Operation Chapters include: 1. Working Dogs 2. Vehicle Modifications 3. Animal Handling Aids A good resource for anyone looking for information on the above, such as individuals, OT’s or workplaces looking into adaptations in Beef. https://lnkd.in/gqRfCZ_P

"Farmers with hearing loss can face obstacles when using hearing aids as they pick up UHF communications from UHF CB radios in conjunction with loud machinery making it difficult to receive information from the radio. A device called XRS-BT1 brings bluetooth audio connectivity and wireless push to talk feature to UHF CB Radios. Farmers are unable to connect their UHF CB radio to their compatible hearing aids and other accessories via bluetooth. The device allows users to receive radio transmissions direct to their hearing aids, ensuring clear and direct communication. A primary producer already using the technology is Steve Rohde from Springdale QLD on a cattle, sheep and goat operation. "I have quite severe hearing loss" "I need my hearing aids otherwise I would lose the ability to hear people talk and I need to have my hearing aids 24/7" "The biggest thing with a hearing aid, it doesn't discriminate (between noises), the noises in the background can make it very hard to hear" Mr Rhode said whether he was ona motorbike, a horse or in a side by side, background noise, particularly when there's harsh winds can make it hard to hear the communication he actually wanted to hear. "Living on a remote rural property with limited to no phone service means that I rely on UHF radio to communicate with my family, neighbours and others at work on the farm. Because of my hearing loss I can't always hear the UHF radio which stressed me as I was missing crucial information, and you can't run an operation the size of mine without being able to communicate clearly across vast areas. The XRS-BT1 module has opened a world of possibilities that I didn't think was going to be possible with my hearing loss. Not only does it give me peace of mind with my young family but I can now communicate easily with contractors without having to physically drive to their locations" Article published in the land: Agtrader by Paula Thompson #abilityagriculture #adaptiveag https://lnkd.in/grsksCKv

What can adaptive ag look like? Checking out some hydraulic yards that can be operated by remote as well. Making the yard operations safe and accessible #abilityagriculture

Ability Agriculture’s First Beef Week 🥩 Day 1 - We’re in Rockhampton Central regional QLD for Beef Week. It’s been lovely to raise awareness and connect with families and persons in agriculture with disability. From Atherton Tablelands, Clermont, Rockhampton, Dingo to name a few. Our quick tip for persons who may be attending the accessibility page for Beef Australia does not have all the best info and currently just has information for hiring a mobility scooter. https://lnkd.in/dDRiU7-y The best place to find more accessibility information is in the FAQ on the event website. There is accessible bathroom symbols on the site map. We unfortunately weren’t able to get accessible parking in the paid parking and there are limited spaces available at the front entrance of the event for accessible parking for an event that attracts over 120,000 persons in regional Australia. The pathway to our stall in the McKenzie Pavillion is compacted gravel and easy for Glen to navigate in a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Come and say G’day - we’ve also got some of our fundraising caps available for purchase and flyers with our scholarships and services such as our Ability Agricheck accessibility feedback service. #abilityagriculture #beefweek

We'd like to congratulate and welcome Steve (Stephen Hannan) as a Non Executive director of the Ability Agriculture Foundation. With a distinguished career leading Agribusiness across Australia for Westpac in Australia, Steve Hannan has cultivated a passion deeply aligned with the critical importance of regional, rural, and remote Australia. He has led this pivotal role as an advocate for positive change, steering strategic responses on climate and rural engagement within the Westpac Group. Steve's commitment extends beyond corporate boundaries, as he channels his expertise to champion sustainable practices and empower communities in their transition to Net-Zero. His leadership in both climate strategy and rural engagement underscores his dedication to driving meaningful change in Australia. As a dynamic, commercially astute executive, Steve brings over 35 years of experience and a proven track record of achievements within the rural sector. Coming from a six-generation farming family, he intimately understands the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities. Steve's vision revolves around creating vibrant and sustainable communities for future generations, a passion he has pursued throughout his career. His strategic acumen, coupled with a deep-seated commitment to authenticity, fuels his efforts to build capacity and foster workforce capability, driving business innovation and success in Australia and in Global Markets. With established networks and solid relationships spanning industry, government, community, and key stakeholders, Steve is a respected leader and advocate internationally for Australian interests. In addition to his professional endeavours, Steve is highly skilled in media and communications, regularly representing rural interests across various platforms. His appearances in live interviews, radio, print, television, and government panels further amplify his voice as a champion for regional prosperity. As Steve transitions to a new challenge, his focus remains unwavering: to utilise his experience and passion to cultivate positive change and create a bright future for regional, rural, and remote Australia. Welcome Steve #abilityagriculture

We're headed to Beef Australia Week and we'd like to gather some insights into the accessibility and disability confidence of our beef industry. Thanks to RB Sellars all survey participants will go into the draw to have the chance to win a $100 gift voucher. If you are from or involved in the Beef Industry in any capacity and would like to complete our survey you can access it here: https://lnkd.in/gqj8YcF2 Otherwise come and say hello at our Ability Agriculture Foundation Stall for Beef Week where we will have a QR Code available