Webinar: Farming Smarter with Assistive Technology

Program Description

Recorded: March 23, 2021 – This presentation discusses the use of common assistive technologies within the farm setting.  This webinar will focus on how AT can be expanded for use in a farm setting, enabling a farmer to work smarter. A variety of assistive technology will be presented, discussing potential impacts on a farmer’s physical and mental health, as well as impacting their farm business productivity.

Participants will learn:

• About ways assistive technology can help farmers work smarter and increase productivity
• Where farmers can see and borrow some assistive technology devices
• How to pay for assistive technology.

Presenters

Kelley Spencer, COTA/L, ATP, DSP. Maine Assistive Technology Solutions

Kelley Spencer is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who is also a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Practitioner. She has served people with disabilities all her life. She grew up farming in central Maine. Her family home was also a home and day program for adults with intellectual disabilities. She worked as an independent living specialist and regional manager for Alpha One’s Bangor and Presque Isle offices for 17 years. She oversaw the AgrAbility project which works with farmers with disabilities to continue to farm, in part through the use of assistive technologies. She led her team in the Homeward Bound project assisting many to move from nursing facilities back into their communities. Kelley chaired and co-chaired the State of Maine’s Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council for 8 years. She served on the AgrAbility advisory board. She developed Goodwill’s Assistive Technology Program for 3 years before leaving to open her own business. She now owns and  operates Maine Assistive Technology Solutions.

Resources

• Handout 1 – Information from PowerPoint slides (MS Word format)
• Handout 2 – Funding Information (MS Word format)