WVATS Quarterly Newsletter Summer 2003

Articles:   [WVATS]   [Resources]   [Tools]   [State]   [National]   [DBTAC]   [AgrAbility]  

WVATS Funding to Sunset: We Need Your Support

There are approximately 50 million individuals in the United States with disabilities. Almost all use some form of assistive technology to go to school and/or work, participate in their community, or to live independently.

Although the services and strategies of the 56 Tech Act projects vary from state to state and territory, each has implemented ways in which to meet the assistive technology needs of their communities. Through education, trainings, demonstrations, partnerships, newsletters, assistive technology loan libraries, and more, each of these projects has made it possible for individuals to live, work, and learn more independently through the use of assistive technology.

If Assistive Technology Act projects, such as WVATS are to continue, Congress will have to approve an amendment to the appropriations bill this year. The original Tech Act of 1988 provided a maximum of 10 years for each state; the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 gave us 3 more years at 50% funding. If no action is taken, 23 states will drop out of the program at the end of this fiscal year. WVATS has worked with the other state projects through the Association of Tech Act Projects (ATAP) to educate and inform senators and representatives of the U.S. Congress about the importance of assistive technology in the lives of individuals of all ages with disabilities, and of the role of the Assistive Technology Act projects in providing access to assistive technology. ATAP is working with senators and representatives to sponsor amendments to the appropriations bill this year that would waive the sunset clause and provide a minimum amount of funding for each state. This amendment would allow continuation of all projects until the Assistive Technology Act could be reauthorized. Once the states start dropping off, the momentum of the national program that is specific to the states will be lost, and assistive technology access to the individuals in West Virginia will suffer.

In order for the amendment to pass, individuals of all ages with disabilities, family members and providers must let their senators and representatives know the importance of the Tech Act Projects in their states. A few consumer groups such as the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) are taking a lead role in advocating the continuation of the Tech Act projects.

If you would like to see WVATS continue its work, please write, call, fax, or email West Virginia's Congressional Delegates. Please educate them on how amendments to eliminate the sunset of the Assistive Technology Act will benefit the state of West Virginia. Please be sure to tell them what WVATS means to you and what West Virginia would miss if WVATS were not in existence.

If you would like more information about how you can contact our West Virginia Congressional Delegates, please call WVATS at 800-841-8436.

Best Practices

Kara Zirkle, NRC Coordinator

By definition, technology is the application of scientific knowledge to serve man in industry, commerce, medicine and other fields. Looking at the full capacity of the technology of today, society can do numerous things in all areas of life. Since the original definition of technology, many new forms have been created. Other forms of technology in the world today are: Information Technology (IT) AKA: Information Technology, Assistive Technology/Accessible Technology (AT), and Universal Design.

IT products store, process, transmit, convert, duplicate or receive electronic information. Software applications, operating systems, web-based information and applications, telecommunication products, video equipment, multi-media products, office equipment such as electronic textbooks, instructional software, e-mail, chat and distance-learning programs are also examples of IT.

AT refers to products that people with disabilities use to access environments and activities that would otherwise be difficult or impossible for them to access. AT enables individuals to accomplish daily living tasks, such as dressing or eating, assists in communication and provides greater access to education, employment and recreation. Examples of AT include wheelchairs, hand controls, communication aids and hearing aids.

Universal Design is the process of developing products that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or special design. Universal design principles reduce the need for assistive technology, resulting in products compatible with assistive technology and creating products that work better for everyone, not just people with disabilities.

Because there are many people with disabilities, it is imperative that assistive technology be available to individuals with such needs.

Assistive technology was designed with the idea of helping individuals with disabilities live more independent lives so they could participate in any job, event, or opportunity that an individual without a disability could participate in. Assistive technology must be integrated into the daily lives of individuals with disabilities, regardless of the price or time.

As of June 30, the Northern Resource Center will no longer be located in SteppingStones. If you have AT equipment that is still out on loan please call 800-841-8436.

The Northern Resource Center has moved to the WVATS core office at the Center for Excellence in Disabilities, located in Morgantown. As of July first I am attending graduate school and am working as a graduate assistant with WVATS. Please call me at 800-841-8436 or e-mail kzirkle@mix.wvu.edu.

New Southern Resource Center

Please join us in welcoming Sonya Gollihue to the WVATS team. Sonya joins us at the Southern Resource Center.

Sonya was born, raised, and currently resides on a small family farm just outside Hamlin in Lincoln County. After graduating at the top of Hamlin High School's class of 1994, Sonya attended Marshall University from 1994 to 1997 as an environmental biology major. In 1997, she transferred to Ohio University to major in Equine Studies.

After the birth of her daughter, Sonya worked for the coal, oil, and gas industries for four years and as a paralegal for a firm in Charleston for two years.

In 2002, Sonja was hired as the AgrAbility Assistant Field Operations Manager to work with Field Operations Manager Inetta Fluharty to conduct farm visits and determine solutions to make farming accessible for West Virginia farmers and their families.

Sonja enjoys working with assistive technology and looks forward to learning more as she provides her services to the community. She will continue to work with the WV AgrAbility project as the Assistant Field Manager. If you live in southern West Virginia and would like information and/or assistance with any adaptive equipment or technology, call Sonja at 800-779-8287 or e-mail her at SonjaGollihue@aol.com.

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ADAPT News

From the Front Lines

by Ken Ervin

Six hundred members of National ADAPT gathered for a protest in Washington D.C. from May 10th to May 15th to bring attention to the institutional bias in the long-term care system of our country and to call for the passage of MiCassa, the Medicaid Community Assisted Services and Supports Act.

Day one: ADAPT marched to the White House to give voice to the over two million stolen lives which are currently locked away in nursing homes and institutions. We remained at the gate for six hours. Many people spoke about their experiences while living in nursing homes and called for meaningful change. A two mile long banner made up of the faces of individuals trapped in nursing homes and other institutions, as well as those who have escaped was unfurled facing the White House. Eugene Walker, who passed away while fighting to live in the community in West Virginia was included in the banner. As time went on, many people handcuffed themselves to the gates of the White House. Over one hundred were arrested.

Day two: We took over two blocks of Constitution Avenue in front of the Department of Justice. ADAPT demanded a meeting with Attorney General, John Ashcroft, to talk about the lack of proactive Olmstead enforcement. After several hours, we were granted an audience with his assistant in charge of civil rights issues. He agreed to hold meetings around the country to put a real face on the problem. We asked that he meet some individuals who had lived in nursing homes and to examine the stories on the banner.

Day three: We took over the National Nurses Association to demand their support of MiCassa. They had ignored our written request for a meeting and initially refused to meet. They were so overwhelmed by our presence that they pulled the fire alarm in order to leave the building. In the end, they agreed to meet with representatives of ADAPT to talk about supporting MiCassa and other long-term care issues.

Day four: On the final day, we marched to Capitol Hill to ask our representatives to support MiCassa. West Virginia Congressmen, Alan Mollahan and Nick Rahall supported MiCassa in the last session and we expect them to sign on again.

Now, West Virginians with disabilities must focus our energies on our own state. We must take strong action and clearly express our opposition to a system that allows for waiting lists, inconsistent providers and frozen programs. Money must follow the person. We are customers, not commodities. National ADAPT is planning a march to call for the passage of MiCassa from Philadelphia to Washington in the Fall. For more information, check out the ADAPT of West Virginia web page at www.labs.net/adapt/

Marc Canaday Resigns

Marc Canaday resigned his position as the Southern Resource Coordinator for WVATS as of March. Marc has accepted a position with the Community Personal Assistance Service System (C-PASS) project at CED as the Training Specialist.
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The Resource Section

Assistive Technology Solutions
The Assistive Technology Solutions website provides plans and descriptions for do-it-yourself devices to assist persons with disabilities. For information, visit www.atsolutions.org

Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) Web Site
The Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) serves organizations and programs that work with families of children and youth with disabilities. They offer a range of information and services on the subject of assistive technology (AT). For more information, visit www.fctd.info

Tech Knowledge
Information and referral specialists are available to answer questions about assistive technology. Call 888-835-7335 or e-mail techconnections@crt.gatech.edu

HotBraille.com
HotBraille.com is a provider of web-based communication tools for people who are visually impaired and their friends and family. Using this site, you can send Braille letters, learn the Braille alphabet, meet new people, and connect with other HotBraille members. Visit www.hotbraille.com to learn more.

Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF)
The Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF) promotes the growth and development of children, ages 0-18, with disabilities, through modest grants. DCRF focuses special attention on helping children that do not have health insurance, especially those with physical disabilities. Individual children with disabilities are eligible for assistive device program grants and rehabilitative service grants.

DCRF's Assistive Device Grant Program is designed to provide prosthetic and other assistive devices such as manual or electric wheelchairs, wheelchair lifts, equipment, electronic light amplifiers for individuals who are visually impaired, telephone devices for individuals who are deaf (TTYs), orthopedic braces, walkers, stairclimber aids, exercise machines for people who have paraplegia, quadriplegia or have had a limb amputated, and hearing aids (not computers).

The Rehabilitative Service Grant Program is designed to provide rehabilitative services such as surgery, physical therapy and related medical improvement service.
Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nonprofit organizations that serve children with disabilities may be eligible for Institutional Grants. Institutional applications may request funds for assistive devices, rehabilitative services, arts/humanities projects, or for projects to strengthen compliance with existing federal and state laws.

Grant requests can be submitted between March and September. Awards will be made at intervals throughout the year. Write or call for an application. The Disabled Children's Relief Fund, P.O. Box 7420, Freeport, NY 11520. 516-337-1605.

Project MED Booklets
The goal of "Project MED" (Medication Education for Consumers) is to provide patients with information, in a manner that they can understand, about the medications they are taking. The booklets are written at a basic level, with large type, and with liberal use of illustrations, and are designed for a broad group of people taking medications: people with mental retardation, autism, reading difficulties, severe mental illness, child and adolescent patients, and people whose first language is not English. By providing this information, the project staff hopes to increase each patient's participation in his or her own health care.

There are eight books as follows:
1. Patients' Rights and Responsibilities
2. Anticonvulsant Medicines
3. Antipsychotic Medicines
4. Antidepressant Medicines
5. Antimanic Medicines
6. Antianxiety Medicines
7. Stimulant Medicines
8. Other Behavior Medicines
Sample pages from the booklets can be viewed on the Project MED website: www.projectmed.org If you would like to obtain copies of these booklets, please contact the project coordinator, Heidi Griswold-Rhymer at 614-688-8214 or e-mail her at proj.med@osu.edu.

West Virginia Autism Training Center
The Autism Training Center (ATC) conducts training sessions on autism related topics across the state. Training sessions are open to clients of the ATC and their families, school personnel, or others interested in the topic areas. Most are free of charge.
Registration is required for some training sessions, call the ATC at 800-344-5115 (Huntington) or 866-826-9933 (Fairmont) to register or get more information.

DisabilityInfo.gov
The U.S. government has opened a new web site, DisabilityInfo.gov, intended to be a comprehensive resource that provides online access to information and resources for people with disabilities.
The website provides links to nine major categories of information that directly affect persons with disabilities. Currently, the nine major links feature: Civil Rights, Education, Employment, Housing, Health, Income Support, Technology, Transportation and Community Life.

The website also provides links to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) homepage for information and technical assistance from the Department of Justice on the ADA; the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) homepage for information about job accommodations, the ADA and the employability of people with disabilities; the GovBenefits homepage for information on government benefits one may be eligible to receive along with how to apply; and the USAJobs homepage for information on Federal job opportunities.
For more information and to view the web site visit www.DisabilityInfo.gov

West Virginia Advocates Web Site
The West Virginia Advocates web site is up, running and open for business. According to the Advocates, they will continue to make improvements to the site. The Advocates invite you to explore the site and put any comments you have on the "Comments" page and they ask that you refer the site to others. The web site address is www.wvadvocates.org. If you are unable to access the West Virginia Advocates web site, please call Terry Pickett at 304-346-0847 or 800-950-5250.

West Virginia Down Syndrome Support Group
The West Virginia Down Syndrome Support Group meets at 5:30 pm on the last Monday of each month at the Shawnee Hills Day Training Center in Institute, WV. For more information about the support group or directions to the meetings, call Karen Marsh at 304-562-4455 or e-mail her at kmarsh@quixnet.net

CAST - Center for Applied Special Technology
CAST calls itself an "educational, not-for-profit organization that uses technology to expand opportunities for all people, especially those with disabilities." CAST has information on teaching and learning strategies such as universal design for learning. For more information, visit the web site at www.cast.org

National Federation of the Blind West Virginia Convention
The 2003 50th annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia will take place at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Huntington, West Virginia the weekend of September 12, 13, and 14, 2003. The Federation's Greater Huntington Chapter will serve as host chapter.

The Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia is the single yearly event which brings together the organized blind from throughout the state for a weekend of learning, planning, policy-making, commitment, and fellowship. In addition to the nearly 100 Federationists who gather each fall, they are always joined for all or part of the weekend by a variety of guests including representatives and speakers from the National Federation of the Blind Office, Federationists from other states, representatives from several state and private agencies that offer services to West Virginians who are blind, and representatives from both the administrative and legislative branches of state government.

For more information regarding this convention call the Kanawha Valley Chapter at 304-743-5114 or the Huntington Chapter at 304-697-1434.

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Powerful Tools

Nokia LPS-4 Loopset
Nokia loopset Now anyone who uses a T-coil-equipped hearing aid can talk hands free on a Nokia phone without interference.

To find out more, visit www.nokiaaccessibility.com or call 888-665-4228.

QuadTrack trackball

QuadTrack
A common mouse alternative is the trackball, such as GPK's QuadTrack. This is like an upside-down mouse--the roller ball is positioned on top of the device. Some people with incomplete quadriplegia, individuals who have trouble repositioning the mouse on a table due to grasping limitations, and/or those with sensory limitations may benefit from the QuadTrack trackball.

For more information visit www.gpk.com or call 619-593-7381.

ScannaR
ScannaR (Scan and Read) is a compact flat bed scanner that claims to automatically scan text, then read it aloud. The device is not much larger than a standard scanner. The ScannaR can be used to read letters, brochures, newspapers, reports, books or other print materials, and save them for future reference.

ScannaR compact scanner According to ScannaR, the device can be used to capture print materials for the BrailleNote or VoiceNote by transferring the saved files across using Active Sync as with a PC.

For more information about the ScannaR visit www.pulsedata.com/Products/Complementary/scannar.asp

Turny Page Turner
This page turner is an electronic device that uses a robotic arm to turn the pages of a book (hard or soft cover) or a magazine either forward or backward. It is operated by a single switch or it can accept an infrared command from an environmental control unit. More information can be found at www.integratedrehabsystems.com

SALsystem
Freedom Scientific's SAL Speech Assisted Learning system provides a way for individuals to learn to read and write Braille. Merging the latest research and technology, SAL offers an approach to teaching by integrating curriculum with a stand-alone, multimedia Braille station.

The courseware consists of data diskettes with corresponding bar-code technology Braille curriculum worksheets. The curricula introduce the student to correct formats, spelling mathematical sequencing and special Braille symbols. A slight press on the worksheet prompts SAL to speak what is under the student's finger.

For more information on the SALsystem call 800-444-4443 or visit www.FreedomScientific.com

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State News

WVATS Northern Network for Accessing Technology Hosts Training

WVATS Northern Network for Accessing Technology hosted, "Teaching Language and Appropriate Behavior to Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities" at the Easter Seals in Wheeling, WV. Guest presenter Dr. Patrick McGreevy discussed the definition of appropriate behavior and how to generate an implementation plan for a verbal behavior program using prompts, assistive devices, and other related techniques. Seventy-two care providers, educators, and consumers from Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, and Wetzel counties benefited from the 12 hour training session.

In addition to the training session, members of WVATS Northern Network for Accessing Technology displayed WVATS information and a variety of switch operated toys for 200 consumers at the Week of the Young Child Children's Fair in Ohio County.

WVATS Northern Network for Accessing Technology is looking for interested volunteers. The Tech Team will meet again in September to plan for future events. For more information about WVATS Northern Network for Accessing Technology, call 1-800-677-1390.

WVCDHH Has Moved

The West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WVCDHH) has moved to Charleston. The Commission is now located at the Capitol Complex, Bldg. 6, Room 850, Charleston, WV, 25305. Phone: 304-558-2923, 304-822-8565 (V/TTY), Fax: 304-822-2468.

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National News

No More Flags on Entrance Exams

Students with disabilities who need extra time taking the SAT or ACT won't have their scores "flagged" any longer. In the past, any student who needed an accommodation would have the words "nonstandard administration" (commonly referred to as "flagging") next to their score.

The agreement stems from a 1999 lawsuit by the International Dyslexia Association; Disability Rights Advocates, a California based nonprofit legal group; and Mark Breimhorst, a man whose score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) was flagged.

Breimhorst needed extra time and a track ball to take the test because he has no hands. Breimhorst said flagging discriminated against him. He believed that flagging suggests that his score is inflated. The College Board (owners of the SAT), agreed to end the practice. ACT officials who were marking tests as "special," have announced they will stop flagging scores.

The SAT will begin their new policy on Oct. 1, 2003. ACT officials say their new policy will be effective in the fall of the 2003-04 school year.

Use of Internet Grows

A Harris poll released in January 2002 says 35 percent of people with mobility impairments are web surfers. The poll also reports that 43 percent of people with visual impairments and 39 percent of people with cognitive or learning disabilities regularly use the inter-net at home. The combined percentage of users with disabilities averages out to 38 percent, more than five times the 7 percent who were using the Internet in 1998.

At 56 percent, people without disabilities still use the internet more than people with disabilities, says Gerry Hendershot, Ph.D., senior research advisor for the National Organization on Disability, which commissioned the survey. However, says Hendershot, "If Internet use by persons with disabilities continues at the same growth rate, it should match the rate of other (without disabilities) users in a few years."

Grant Funding Available

Crandall, Pyles, Haviland & Turner Foundation, Inc. offers grant monies for human services in West Virginia. An application is not required; however, the foundation asks that an initial letter of interest be mailed. For more information, write to P.O. Box 3465, Charleston, WV 25334.

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WV DBTAC News

Personal Digital Assistants

Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are small handheld computers. PDAs are becoming increasingly popular, not solely for business and personal use, but also for use in education. At all educational levels, PDAs are being used in the classroom for increasing students' organization, fostering collaboration, and maximizing portability of technology.

PDAs are well suited to these tasks. There are thousands of applications available, many of them free, that support a full spectrum of activities and academic disciplines. PDAs are also fiscally appealing to educational entities; most models are much cheaper than desktop computers.

In many ways, PDAs provide benefits to individuals with disabilities. For example, people with learning disabilities or cognitive disabilities can benefit from PDAs' organizational and task management functions. Also, some people with mobility impairments can benefit from PDAs' small size, light weight, and portability.

Despite these benefits, however, PDAs are currently not accessible to all users. Users generally interface with a PDA using a small stylus for input, and a small screen for output. These devices are not accessible to individuals who are unable to use the stylus, or who are unable to see the screen. Following is a summary of specific barriers to PDA access, and the status of each.

People who are unable to use the stylus can attach their PDAs to small portable keyboards. There are many varieties of keyboards available, including those that support one-handed typing. PDA operating systems vary in their support for keyboard-only access.

For people with low vision, many color PDAs are now available that feature bright displays. However, little, if any, operating system support is available for changing the color of these displays for high contrast color schemes or for large font sizes. Some applications do allow users to enlarge fonts exclusively within that application.

Speech input and output may be a solution for people who are blind, as well as other individuals who are unable to use either the stylus or an attached keyboard. To remain abreast of changes in PDA accessibility, see the accessibility pages for the leading PDA operating system vendors:
      Palm Accessibility Program- http://www.palmone.com/us/company/corporate/pap/
      Microsoft Accessibility- http://www.microsoft.com/enable/
Information derived from AccessIT.

Making Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students with visual impairments:

Students with hearing impairments:

Students with mobility impairments:

Students with cognitive impairments:

MAGpie and Captioning

Developers of web and CD-ROM-based multimedia need an authoring tool for making their materials accessible to persons with disabilities. The CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) has developed such a tool, the Media Access Generator (MAGpie), for distribution in SDK on the web, CD-ROM and other methods. Funding for MAGpie comes from the Trace Research and Development Center at the University of Wisconsin as part of its Information Technology Access Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

MAGpie can be an ideal authoring environment for the multimedia specialists, publishing companies or service providers who want to add captions, subtitles and audio descriptions to their work. You can download MAGpie directly from the web site. Visit http://ncam.wgbh.org/webaccess/magpie/ for more information.

Computer Assessment Training at PATHS

The Computer Access Assessment Training Institute (CAATI) will hold a one day pre-conference workshop at the PATHS Eighth Annual Conference on September 17, 2003.

West Virginia needs more motivated, computer-literate persons trained in how to provide computer access assessments to individuals with disabilities. CAATI will provide in-depth information, demonstrations and hands-on training to CAATI participants who will:

Participants must be:

The Institute will include lecture, case studies, demonstrations and team activities. The CAATI module on computer assessments for individuals with cognitive needs will be held at PATHS. For more information call 800-841-8436.

Virtual Pencil

Virtual Pencil is a program used to write and solve math problems on the computer. Virtual Pencil is designed for individuals to enter a problem into the computer and move through the problem, entering the answer to each step and solving the problem.

Virtual Pencil displays the math problem the way it might look when drawn on a piece of paper with a pencil, one number above the other with digits lined up in vertical columns.

Virtual Pencil has a built-in Tutor. The Tutor indicates where an individual is on the screen and what steps need to be taken to solve the problem. The Information Line displays the location, digits, and operation for each step of the problem.

For individuals who are blind, Virtual Pencil can be used with a screen reader and all of the tutorial steps will be spoken (or displayed on a Braille output device).

For more information on Virtual Pencil call 727-323-9819 or visit www.VirtualPencil.com

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West Virginia Agrability

Do you belong to an organization whose members might want to know more about West Virginia AgrAbility? Please call to arrange an AgrAbility presentation. We would like to share information with your organization about the AgrAbility Project and how it helps farmers and their families.

1-800-841-8436 or assist@sunnyelkins.com

A series of tip sheets on labor efficiency for fresh-market vegetable growers.

Build a Hands-Free Washer

by Bob Meyer, Marcia Miquelon, Astrid Newenhouse and Larry Chapman

Market gardeners have few inexpensive mechanical devices for washing produce by hand. They often wash produce at a spray table with a garden hose and hand held spray nozzle. For under $50, you can make a simple sprayer that does not need to be held or squeezed by hand. With both hands free, you can process produce faster and more efficiently with less strain on your body.

What's wrong with a garden hose and nozzle?
Usually people use their dominant hand to grasp the spray nozzle and direct it at the produce, and their other hand to turn the produce as it gets washed and to move it to a box for packing. This can cause hand, wrist and arm fatigue from gripping the nozzle and holding the hose, and awkward postures as you move your body to reach the produce. Most garden hose nozzles spray water at higher pressure than needed to wash vegetables. This wastes water, and may also damage produce, resulting in shorter shelf life and wasted effort.

Benefits of using fixed sprayers:

Less stress on the body. A hands-free washer allows you to wash the produce comfortably and efficiently. For most right-handed workers, this means moving the produce through the stream from your left hand to your right. Since you eliminate the need to hold, squeeze and direct the hose, your hands and arms are less likely to fatigue.

Faster. Using a hands-free washer can be nearly 40% faster than using a hose and nozzle. Faster washing means higher quality produce and savings in labor time.

Less damage to crop. You can choose a nozzle with the right spray pattern for your job. For example, use a strong spray for roots and a gentle spray for leafy greens.

Will using a fixed sprayer save me money?
Total cost for parts to make a fixed sprayer ranges from $25-$70, depending on what type of nozzle you buy. This investment will be quickly made up in labor savings. You will also indirectly save money by improving product quality and preventing stress and strain on your body. Your design will depend upon the systems in your packing shed and the type(s) of produce you wash.

parts list for a wall-mounted, hands-free washer The parts for a wall-mounted hands-free washer include: two 90° elbows; 1-inch SCH 40 PVC; 1-inch gate valve; 1-inch male connectors (PVC thread); quick couplers (male and female); 1-inch PVC; 1 3/4 inch NPT threaded plug; 3/4 inch brass coupler NPT to hose thread; and seedling watering head. You will also need PVC cleaner, cement, a wrench, and a hacksaw.
Install the washer so that when you wash produce, your hands are at a height midway between your wrist and elbow.

Wall-mounted diagram notes:
1) Valve: Use a full flow gate valve made of either brass or PVC. Gate valves have a simple lever handle that turns 90o to go from full open to full shut. This is easier to grasp and control than a more restrictive spigot type valve.

2) Quick coupling connections: The hands-free washer shown has a quick coupler that allows the washer to pivot around the vertical pipe, or to be removed easily to change heads.

3) Head: We used a greenhouse seedling watering head. Other potential heads would include "Dramm" type and plastic "all-purpose" watering heads from a hardware store.

4) Abbreviations:
SCH 40= Schedule 40 type
PVC= Poly Vinyl Chloride plastic
NPT= National Pipe Thread

Material is not copyrighted. Feel free to reproduce; please mention source: University of Wisconsin Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project, November 2001, Second Edition.

Authors: Bob Meyer, Marcia Miquelon, Astrid Newenhouse and Larry Chapman, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, 460 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706.

Washer design: Bob Meyer 1999

Research for this publication was funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Services for Farmers with Disabilities on the Rise
According to West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services newsletter, Workable Winter 2003, 41 individuals involved with farming and agriculture are receiving or have received services through Vocational Rehabilitation. This number has risen drastically since 2000, when only a handful of farmers were receiving services.

Building Better Rural Places
Building Better Rural Places was written for anyone seeking financial help from federal programs to encourage innovative enterprises in agriculture and forestry in the United States. Specifically, the guide addresses program resources in value-added and diversified agriculture and forestry, sustainable land management, and community development. The guide can help farmers, entrepreneurs, community developers, conservationists, and many other individuals, as well as private and public organizations, both for-profit and not-for-profit.

To obtain a free copy of Building Better Rural Places, please contact Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), P.O. Box 3657, Fayetteville, AR 72702, 800-346-9140 or e-mail askattra@ncata rk.uark.edu. You may also find the entire guide on ATTRA's web site at www.attra.org

FSA Offers Farm Loans
The West Virginia Farm Service Agency (FSA) has received loan funds for the 2003-2004 year and will use these funds to aid socially disadvantaged farmers to buy and operate family-sized farms and ranches. Every year, these monies are used to help members of specific groups, such as African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian and Pacific Islanders and women.

Funds are available for each of these loan categories:

The FSA loan program helps farmers to purchase farms, begin construction or improve existing buildings, install conservation measures and other similar farm improvements. Funding is also available for equipment and livestock purchases. FSA loan program staff members will assist farmers to analyze problems, determine available resources and plan the best use of their available resources.

During 2002, West Virginia FSA Farm Loan Programs made 41 loans totaling $840,625. For more information, contact your local FSA office. If you are not sure where your local FSA office is located, call West Virginia AgrAbility at 1-800-841-8436 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/ and click on your local office link.

Some of the information in this article was adapted from:
www.dominionpost.com/a/news/2003/04/06/bv/
The Dominion Post, April 6, 2003

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WVATS Newsletter

Editors: Marie Leichliter and Jamie Hayhurst jhayhurst@hsc.wvu.edu

Center for Excellence in Disabilities at West Virginia University Publications

Editorial Committee: Jeanne Grimm, Monica Andis, Laura Werner, Jeff Werner, Lori Risk

Design and Layout: Kim Palumbo

All printed materials produced by WVATS are available in Braille, electronic format, cassette tape and large print.

This publication was supported by funds from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education, grant number H224a20011. The lead agency is the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services. Contents of the newsletter are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the U.S. Department of Education or the Center for Excellence in Disabilities.

Web site address: www.cedwvu.org/programs/wvats/

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