CS26 – Understanding the Spectrum of Disabilities and Expanding Your Outreach

FACT: The U.S. has almost 50 million people with disabilities. That’s a lot. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, people with disabilities are the nation’s largest minority. The number gets even bigger when adding functional limitations not defined as disabilities—such as arthritis, mobility issues, and age-related conditions. Paul will cover:

• How to make gardening and Master Gardener activities truly accessible and inclusive to people of all abilities.
• The spectrum of disabilities—physical, emotional, sensory—and how to address them in your Master Gardener program.
• Educational resources and technology for making gardening more accessible.
• Practical steps for improving accessibility.

Paul Jones is manager of the National AgrAbility Project, a USDA-funded outreach program for agricultural workers with disabilities, administered through Purdue University. He has been a staff member in Purdue’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program since 1998. Paul began managing the Indiana AgrAbility Project in 2000 and the National AgrAbility Project in 2008. Paul specializes in developing educational resources, including publications, videos, and distance learning activities related to gardening accessibility.