Secondary Injury Potential of Assistive Technologies Used by Farmers With Disabilities: Findings From Case Studies

ABSTRACT

In order to complete essential tasks, farmers with disabilities often make and use assistive technology (AT), which itself may cause further injuries known as secondary injuries. A set of 19 case studies was used to investigate the potential for injury on home-fabricated assistive technologies (ATs) used by farmers with disabilities. The case studies consisted of close-ended and open-ended interviews that were designed to help understand the farmers' perception of potential for injuries and safety measures implemented or not implemented. The qualitative study used grounded theory principles and the collected data were analyzed to arrive at a list of features on ATs that have substantial potential to cause injury to the user. Based on the case study results, AT user characteristics and environmental factors were also considered as factors that contribute to potential injuries. Findings were used to develop an instrument for use by rehabilitation professionals to evaluate ATs for potential injury causing hazards.

Keywords:

• Agricultural safety
• agriculture
• assistive technology
• case studies
• disabilities
• farmers
• interviews
• rehabilitation
• secondary injury

Acknowledgments

Partial funding for this research study was provided by the National AgrAbility Project, funded by the US Department of Agriculture through grant no. CSREES/USDA-2008-41590-04796.