The Light to See Beyond Limitations
How Tech, Family, and Perseverance Came Together for Jason
For generations, agriculture has been more than an occupation for Jason B. It’s shaped his identity, his family’s history, and his connection to the land. He grew up in Middle Tennessee, less than a mile from the farm his family has worked for eight generations. From an early age, Jason learned the rhythms of farming alongside his father and grandfather, absorbing lessons about resilience, responsibility, and persistence.
“I learned from my grandfather not to be bothered by things that can’t be helped.”
As an adult, Jason continued to balance farming with other important work, serving first as a firefighter and later as a 911 dispatcher. In the late 1990s, however, he began to notice changes in his vision. Tunnel vision and night blindness gradually worsened, leading to a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease with no cure.
By 2009, Jason was legally blind.
The Will to Forge Ahead
Like many agricultural producers facing disability, he initially adapted on his own.
Unaware of formal resources or assistive technologies, Jason relied on experience, problem-solving, and support from family. As his vision declined, safety became an increasing concern, particularly when working with cattle. In response, Jason invested in equipment that allowed him to manage livestock from outside fenced areas, reducing risk while maintaining productivity.
A turning point came in 2018 when Jason was connected with AgrAbility through the University of Tennessee Extension. A team visited his farm to assess his operation and identify practical strategies to support continued independence. Through AgrAbility, Jason was introduced to Tennessee vocational rehabilitation services, assistive technology programs, and regional partners experienced in disability-related adaptations.
When Jason’s father passed away in 2020, those connections became even more
critical. Taking over responsibility for the farm’s hay operation and beef cattle herd meant adjusting both scale and workflow. With support from vocational rehabilitation services, he began using accessible digital tools to manage records and maintain compliance. Screen magnification software and mobile devices helped replace systems his father had previously managed.
Livestock identification presented another challenge. Jason reduced the size of his herd to match what he could safely manage and began testing a range of assistive technologies. Digital tag readers, smartphone apps, and audio-based tools allowed him to identify animals, track health records, and monitor treatments. Some solutions worked better than others, and experimentation became part of the process.
Over time, Jason found that his smartphone emerged as one of the most effective tools in his operation. Built-in accessibility features and free applications allowed him to read mail, medication labels, and cattle tags using audio feedback. Smart tagging systems now enable him to store detailed information about individual animals and retrieve it instantly in the field.
Beyond the technology itself, Jason values the collaborative nature of AgrAbility’s approach. On-farm assessments, peer connections, and exposure to emerging tools helped him refine solutions that fit real working conditions. Through national trainings and regional networks, Jason has shared ideas with other farmers and assistive technology professionals, contributing feedback that helps improve tools for broader use.
Finding Strength in Numbers
Jason also relies on community. Friends, neighbors, and family members provide
informal support that complements technical adaptations. His wife, Melissa, who uses a wheelchair, works alongside him when possible, and together they have modified their home and farm to improve accessibility. Their partnership reflects the broader reality of agriculture: adaptation often involves entire families.
“I’m blessed to have good friends and a close-knit community to help me out.”
Today, Jason continues to raise cattle and produce hay, adjusting practices as needed. His operation reflects the principle that staying dedicated to agricultural work isn’t about denying or ignoring one’s limitations, but having the grit to overcome them. As he often notes, not everything can be controlled, but progress is possible when challenges are met with openness and perseverance.
Jason’s experience illustrates a central truth of AgrAbility’s mission. When farmers are connected to the right tools, information, and relationships, disability does not have to end a livelihood. Adaptation allows experience, knowledge, and commitment to remain part of agriculture—strengthening families, communities, and the land they care for.