A publication of the AgrAbility In Dakota project.
P.O. Box 1206, Mandan, ND 58554 (701) 663-6828 ext 303 or 1-800-247-0698 ext 303
esgwnd@btigate.com - www.ext.nodak.edu/agrability

AgrAbility In Dakota
NEWS

Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and Their Families

Winter 2000-2001 -- Volume 3, Number 1

What's New!

• In the beginning of November, two of the three AgrAbility In Dakota program staff attended the National AgrAbility Training Workshop in San Antonio, Texas. The conference was a success and lots of ideas were generated.
• The AID has been busy writing the grant. On November 21, 2000, the Advisory Council met in Jamestown to discuss the accomplishments of 2000-2001 and address the goals and objectives for 2001-2002. The grant was submitted to the USDA on December 12, 2000, three days before the due date! Thank you to everyone who made it possible.
• AgrAbility In Dakota spent a day with the North Dakota Occupational Therapist Association at the fall conference in Fargo. The North Dakota Farm Bureau also held its annual meeting in Fargo and collaborated efforts with AgrAbility In Dakota to present information about the program during the Farm Alarm presentations. AgrAbility in Dakota was included as part of the Farmers Union Annual Convention in Minot.
• The AgrAbility Directors will be busy concluding inservices with the physical therapy and occupational therapy departments in rural hospitals.

Safe Winter Travel Requires Planning

Recent weather has posted a warning to drivers in the upper midwest. Road conditions can turn dangerous with very little warning, so drivers should listen carefully to weather forecasts and plan accordingly. In some situations travelers should simply stay off the roads until conditions improve. A stranded motorist can soon be in serious trouble on infrequently traveled roads, so experienced drivers change their driving habits when venturing out on the roadways during the winter months.

Travelers should pay close attention to weather forecasts available from the media. Frequent listening to radio weather reports can alert you to weather changes and how they may affect your travel plans. Dangerous weather systems can develop quickly.

Make a schedule for your travel, and leave it with someone who will take action if you don't show up when and where you are supposed to be. If you change your plans along the way, be sure to keep your contacts informed. Let people know of your arrival; close your travel plan when you get there to avoid unneeded searches.

• Always keep your vehicle in good, safe condition. It must have sufficient fuel, starting energy (battery), visibility, and heat.
• Keep the fuel tank at least ¾ full to reduce the chances of water buildup from condensation. Never leave town without a full fuel tank.
• Always start the winter season with a battery that is in very good condition.
• A lighter weight oil can be used in winter, but always follow your vehicle warranty for winter use.
• Always start the winter season with fan belts in very good condition. Be sure to carry spare belts, too.
• Keep good tires on the vehicle. They will provide better starts and stops and respond more effectively while moving. Better traction can usually be obtained with snow tires than regular treaded tires. Tires should be kept properly inflated.
• Weight can be added to cars/pickups for improved traction, but it must be done with care. Adding weight to the rear of a front-wheel-drive car will adversely affect it's handling. Adding some weight to the back of a rear wheel drive car usually improves traction.
• Use extreme care with candle and wick heaters for additional heat when stranded in a stalled or stuck vehicle. Most cars and pickups today are upholstered with plastic materials that burn furiously.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning is a major danger when using combustion sources for additional heat. Partially open a window on each side of the vehicle, providing flow-through ventilation.
• It may not be advisable to run the engine and use the heater if the vehicle has gone off the road and is resting at a very steep angle in the ditch. Bundle up and stay with the vehicle in this situation. Not many people walk away from this kind of situation and survive.
• When using the vehicle engine and heater for heat, use them sparingly. The engine should be operated often enough so it will start easily but not so often that you run down the battery.
• Use as few accessories as possible. Headlights use a lot of electricity, don't leave them on. Use the parking lights instead. An exception is when headlights can be used to alert the driver of an approaching vehicle.
• Always bring survival water and food in the car. High energy food is good, but water is more important. A thermos or two of coffee would be welcome. Consume it slowly so that it lasts. Alcoholic beverages are not a good idea; alcohol distorts judgement.
• If more than one person is stranded in the vehicle, be sure that only one sleeps at a time. Sleeping sessions can be scheduled so that no one becomes excessively tired.

For additional information, refer to "Stalled... But Safe," and extension bulletin on safe winter survival tips, and a new extension publication titled "Have A Safe Trip," a multi-checklist with many good reminders of how to prepare for winter travel in the upper midwest. Many road condition and weather phone numbers are listed, also. Contact your county extension agent to obtain these publications, or check the website http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/safety.htm for additional information.

Assistive Technology

Finally, a wheelchair that has the power and durability needed for on the farm use! The Omega Trac is a front wheel drive powered base. This allows the driver to climb curbs, tree roots, thresholds, or tackle water puddles, snow piles and other barriers that other wheelchairs have to avoid. It is one of the most powerful wheelchairs today. The 52-pound transmission which propels the chair and steers it has gears similar to smaller tractors. The Omega Trac can be ordered with an optional tow hitch which gives the driver the ability to tow a ½ ton wagon on level ground.

The Omega Trac is powerful, but more importantly it is comfortable. It has 3-inch driver-adjustable height suspension, automotive type shock absorbers, wishbone control links, definable gear ratio and definable seat position. All these features allow the driver to ride in comfort at any speed. The nominal maximum speed of the Omega Trac is 6 mph. However, the speed will vary depending on the size and weight of the rider.

A smaller version of the Omega Trac is the Alpha Trac. This wheelchar is front-wheel-drive with a total width of only 24 inches, allowing the Alpha Trac to have a turning radius of only 27 inches.

The Omega Trac is a rugged unit that has been designed to be long lived. It comes with a lifetime frame warranty and five-year drive train warranty. If you would like to learn more about the Omega Trac or Alpha Trac Wheelchairs, look them up on the Internet at www.teftec.com 

Upcoming Events

KFYR Radio Agri-International Stock and Trade Show -- Bismarck Civic Center, Bismarck, ND -- February 12-14, 2001

2001 Annual Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health -- Radisson Inn, Bismarck, ND --  February 27-28, 2001

Agricultural Safety & Health Conference -- Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland -- March 2-3, 2001

Where We've Been

National AgrAbility Training Workshop -- Adam's Mark, San Antonio, Texas -- November 7-10

Farmers Union Annual Convention -- Minot, ND -- December 8-9

Bargain Buyers Corner . . .

Giveaway

• 1993 Ricon six-way van seat base. New motor.
• 1993 Crow River van swing out door closer.
• Tractor lift which was used in a Versatile 4WD.
• Swather lift.

Wanted

• Large, right-handed Kombi mitt. Any color.

Tom Alexander, Co-Director
AgrAbility In Dakota
P.O. Box 1240, Minot, ND 58702
Bus. (701) 839-4121 Fax (701) 838-5998
Cell (701) 720-4276
Email: alextom@minot.com

Trina Gress, Co-Director
AgrAbility In Dakota
P.O. Box 1206, Mandan, ND 58554
Bus. (701) 663-6828 ext. 303 Fax (701) 663-6859
Toll Free Nationwide 1-800-247-0698 ext. 303
Cell (701) 220-4272 Res. (701) 221-2649
Email: esgwnd@btigate.com

George Maher, Ag Safety Specialist
NDSU Extension Service
Box 5626, Ag Engineering 115
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5626
(701) 231-8288 FAX (701) 231-1008
Email: gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu

The National Grant Program of the AgrAbility Project is a joint effort of The USDA Extension Service, The National Easter Seal Society and Purdue University's Breaking New Ground Resource Center. Support for this newsletter is provided by the USDA Extension Service; Project #92-EFDA-1-10013.

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