There are thousands of catalogs made available by manufacturers and suppliers to promote and sell every conceivable product. Some are available only in hard copy and reach a very specialized audience while others are available on the Web and are accessible to everyone. Some catalogs have a significant following who anticipate their arrival in the mail such as the gardener awaiting a Spring seed catalogue or the outdoors person looking forward to the next L.L. Bean catalog. Catalogs are also a wonderful source of information on commercially available products that have the potential of being utilized as assistive technology for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers with disabilities. In some cases the products are clearly promoted as aids for persons with arthritis, weak knees, visual impairments, bad backs or limited mobility. In other cases, a little imagination is needed to see the potential applications and the manufacturers may have never even considered that their products have the potential of making a person with a disability a little more independent.
To assist visitors to the AgrAbility website in becoming more familiar with catalogs as problem solving tools, a description of several catalogs, some that might be unfamiliar to many, and examples of products they contain that have potential application to persons with disabilities are being provided. Hopefully, some of these resources will provide a few "Ah Ha" moments and avoid the need to reinvent the wheel.
The National AgrAbility Project makes no claims about the safety, applicability, or reliability of any of the products identified. These ideas are presented to assist in developing workable assistive technology solutions and may require modifications or evaluation by trained professionals prior to adoption.
If you happen upon a catalogue that you find useful in identifying new forms of assistive technology, please let us know about it.
Contact info: 1-800-345-0169
Retail stores: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia
Product types: farm supplies, hand and power tools, lawn and garden supplies, mower parts, farm machinery replacement parts, cooking and construction
Sample products:
Background: Started as a family owned business in 1962.
Website: www.agrisupply.com
Contact info: 1-800-225-2610
Product types: medical and ergonomic products, infection control, emergency preparedness, rehabilitation products and speech products
Sample products:
Website: www.alimed.com
Website: www.aquacreek.com
Contact info: 1-800-634-4351
Product types: Commercial, residential, medical products that provide access to the pool and spa for the disabled
Sample products:
Background: After a fall that resulted in a spinal cord injury, Don Krebs found it impossible to do some of the things he used to love. Realizing that he might not be the only one in this situation, he started Access to Recreation, Inc in 1987. The company is now recognized as the leader in the Adaptive Recreation market.
Website: www.benmeadows.com
Contact info: 1-800-241-6401 (phone)
1-800-628-2068 (fax)
Product types: Serving outdoor professionals: forestry supplies, surveying equipment, wild land fire fighting, safety equipment, wildlife observation, clothing and footwear
Background: Founded as a company to supply foresters and engineers since 1956. They were purchased by Lab Safety Supply Inc in 2001.
Website: www.chdist.com
Contact info: 1-800-558-9966 (phone)
1-800-336-1331 (fax)
Product types: industrial supplies, including storage, material handling, maintenance and janitorial, warehouse, packing and shipping supplies, office and school furniture
Sample products:
Background: C&H Distributors started in 1937 as the C&H Electric Company, changed focus to commercial and industrial equipment in the 1940's. Now shipping over 40,000 items from 3 locations.
Website: www.conney.com
Contact info: 1-800-356-9100
Retail stores: Madison, WI
Product types: first aid, protective and safety clothing, ergonomics, traffic safety, janitorial supplies, signs and labels, gas detection
Sample products:
Website: www.custommarketingco.com
Contact info: 1-800-359-1785
Product types: Innovative farming operation products
Sample products:
Background: After a fall that resulted in a spinal cord injury, Don Krebs found it impossible to do some of the things he used to love. Realizing that he might not be the only one in this situation, he started Access to Recreation, Inc in 1987. The company is now recognized as the leader in the Adaptive Recreation market.
Website: disabilityworktools.com
Contact info: 1-888-354-3289
Product types: Hundreds of tools for workers facing functional impairments. Product categories include Tractors & Self Propelled Equipment, Material Handling, Outdoor Mobility, Pickup Trucks & ATV's, Shops & Tools & Buildings, Lawn & Garden, Fruits & Vegetables, Woodlots, Firewood & Heating, Livestock & Pets, Health & Safety.
Sample products:
Background: The mission of Disability Work Tools (DWT) is to make adaptive tools readily available so people can independently perform hands-on tasks in spite of injury, aging or disabling condition. They try to motivate active people to be productive by using tools that improve efficiency and minimize physical pain. They challenge people to use foresight, selecting the best tools for the job, so they can work longer and feel better.
Website: www.duluthtrading.com
Contact info: 1-800-505-8888
Product types: quality tools and tool accessories to make any job more convenient
Sample products:
Background: The mission of Disability Work Tools (DWT) is to make adaptive tools readily available so people can independently perform hands-on tasks in spite of injury, aging or disabling condition. They try to motivate active people to be productive by using tools that improve efficiency and minimize physical pain. They challenge people to use foresight, selecting the best tools for the job, so they can work longer and feel better.
Website: enablingdevices.com
Contact info: 1-800-832-8697
Product types: specially adapted toys, mobility devices, computer aids, autism products, communicators
Sample products:
Background: Enabling Devices is a company dedicated to developing affordable learning and assistive devices to help people of all ages with disabling conditions. Founded by Steven E. Kanor, Ph.D. and originally known as Toys for Special Children, the company has been creating innovative communicators, toys and switches for the physically challenged for more than 30 years.
Website: www.facilitysavers.com
Contact info: 1-800-468-4647
Product types: innovative products for facility safety, cleanliness, and enhancement
Sample products:
Background: Facility Savers is a subsidiary of the New Pig Corporation. For over 20 years, New Pig Corporation has been dedicated to providing products to keep the workplace clean, attractive and safe, which is exemplified in the Facility Savers product line.
Website: www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/home/
Contact info: 1-800-327-6835 (phone)
1-800-457-8887 (fax)
Retail stores: 1440 Field of Dreams Way
Dyersville, IA 52040
Product types: ag supplies, farm buildings, animal feeding, cooling and watering equip, animal barns, commercial greenhouses, building materials
Sample products:
Background: founded in 1979, a division of Engineering Services & Products Company
Website: www.fordmobilitymotoring.com
Contact info: 1-800-952-2248
Product types: products that improve access to motor vehicles
Sample products:
Background: The Ford Mobility Program provides subsidization for adding disability access to Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. The program works with variety of vehicle accessibility suppliers.
Website: forestry-suppliers.com
Contact info: 1-800-647-5368
Product types: quality products for the forestry, environmental science, surveying/engineering, horticulture, grounds maintenance, educational professionals
Sample products:
Background: Founded in 1949 by Jim Craig in Mississippi and incorporated as Forestry Suppliers in 1952. Now a direct mail company with over 100,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in Jackson, MS
Website: www.gardeners.com
Contact info: 1-800-427-3363
Retail stores: Burlington, VT and Williston, VT
Product types: Gardening, Yard and Landscaping, Pots and Planters
Sample products:
Background: Employee owned company founded in 1983 by Vermont gardeners
Interesting facts: They have a 3 acre display garden at their Burlington, Vermont location.
Website: kotulas.com
Contact info: 1-800-685-4845
Product types: Unusual household/workplace items, novelties
Sample products:
Website: www.leevalley.com
Contact info: 1-800-871-8158 (phone)
1-800-513-7885
Product types: commercial grade supplies: shop, landscaping, livestock and agriculture, safety, pest management, tires and work wear
Sample products:
Website: www.gemplers.com
Contact info: 1-800-382-8473 (phone)
1-800-551-1128 (fax)
Product types: commercial grade supplies: shop, landscaping, livestock and agriculture, safety, pest management, tires and work wear
Sample products:
Background: Started in 1939 as a tire company in Monroe, Wisconsin. Mail order and catalog sales began in the 1980's and has grown to now offering over 28,000 items
Interesting facts: William Gempler was an award winning Limburger cheesemaker who worked for Montgomery Ward before starting his own tire shop in the 1930's
Website: www.grizzly.com
Contact info: 1-800-523-4777 (phone)
1-800-438-5901 (fax)
Retail stores: Bellingham, WA
Springfield, MO
Muncy, PA
Product types: woodworking, metalworking
Sample products:
Background: Grizzly Industrial®, Inc. was started in 1983 by Shiraz Balolia as an alternative for anyone looking for quality machines at an affordable price. Employing over 350 people nationwide and headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, Grizzly also has offices in Taiwan and China.
Interesting facts: The president of Grizzly Inc builds guitars
Website: www.harborfreight.com
Contact info: 1-800-423-2567 (phone)
1-800-905-5220 (fax)
Retail stores: multiple locations across US
Product types: discount tools of all types (air tools, hand tools, metalworking, woodworking, welding)
Sample products:
Website: www.independentliving.com
Contact info: 1-800-537-2118
Product types: low vision aids, Braille, medical supplies, hearing products, health care
Sample products:
Background: Independent Living Aids, LLC is the oldest privately-held, mail-order company in the United States of products for individuals who are visually impaired or blind. They have also expanded their product line for deaf and hard-of-hearing customers, with the acquisition of SoundBytes.
308 NW 2 nd Street
PO Box 409Website: www.tractorseats.com
Contact info: 1-800-328-1752
Product types: tractor seats, supplies, safety equipment
Sample products:
Website: www.lehman.com
Contact info: 877-438-5346
Product types: Back to the basic products for simpler, more self-sufficient life styles. Tools and products for gardening, canning, making flour, bread, cheese and cider, caring for livestock, heating with wood and lighting with candles and oil lamps.
Sample products:
Background: Provides a large assortment of non-electric products that are widely used in the Old Order Amish community.
Website: www.maddak.com
Contact info: 973-628-7600
Product types: convenience products for seniors, disability and rehab.
Sample products:
Background: For the past 30 years, Maddak has remained a family owned and operated business. Maddak has been recognized as the largest supplier of Aids for Daily Living. Their main goal is to enable people to remain active and to maximize their independence.
Website: www.millernurseries.com
Contact info: 1-800-836-9630
Product types: All types of nursery stock and orchard supplies
Sample products:
Background: Miller's Nursery has been in the nursery business since 1936.
Website: www.enasco.com
Contact info: 1-800-558-9595
Retail stores: Fort Atkinson, WI
Modesto, CA
Product types: Livestock supplies: animal health, dairy supplies, fencing equipment, goat equipment, hog equipment, horse essentials, pets, poultry equipment, testing equipment, vet supplies, water equipment
Sample products:
Background: Nasco and Stone Manufacturing have been producing and providing products through their catalogs since 1941.
Website: www.northerntool.com
Contact info: 1-800-556-7885
Retail stores: 65 locations: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, N. Carolina, N. Dakota, S. Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin
Product types: Air tools, auto repair, engines, hand tools, farm and acreage, welding, power tools, heaters & stoves
Sample products:
Background: Founded in 1980, World Headquarters located in Burnsville MN
Website: www.qcsupply.com
Contact info: 1-800-433-6340
Product types: supplies, tools, accessories, clothing
Sample products:
Also see: Gillis QC Supply: Poultry & Game Bird Equipment Catalog
Website: www.rifton.com
Contact info: 1-800-571-8198
Product types: adapted products: Mobility, hygiene, chair and seating support products
Sample products
Background: Rifton began in 1977 as an offshoot of Community Playthings, a leading manufacturer of furniture and equipment for early childhood settings. When company designers paid a neighborly visit to a Connecticut home for children with disabilities, a therapist asked if they could custom-build a chair for one of their residents.
In the next months similar requests trickled in, and before long designers and workers at Community Playthings were dreaming about an entirely different and new line of equipment. And so Rifton Equipment began.
Website: www.safetytubs.com
Contact info: 1-877-304-2800
Product types: walk-in tubs, safe tubs, convenience
Sample products:
Website: www.sammonspreston.com
Contact info: 1-800-323-5547
Product types: rehabilitation, assistive and splinting products, exercise equipment, wheelchairs, aids to daily living
Sample products:
Website: www.sears.com
Contact info: 1-800-377-7414
Product types: tools, shop equipment, accessories
Sample products:
Website: www.steinertractor.com
Contact info: 1-800-234-3280
Product types: replacement parts and supplies for older farm tractors
Sample products: