On May 8, a webinar hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and OneOp, a virtual professional development platform for providers serving military families, will focus on the benefits of gardening for people with disabilities. The free webinar will take place from 10-11 a.m. and interested participants can register at https://tx.ag/OneOpGardening. Upon registration, participants will receive an email with instructions on how to attend the webinar. The webinar will also be available for viewing on YouTube Live for those who are unable to access the link. Technical support can be requested by contacting OneOp at contact@oneop.org.
The AgriLife Extension program specialist Rachel Brauner from Bryan-College Station shared that the webinar will delve into how gardens can serve as therapeutic environments, offering benefits for physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being for individuals with disabilities. Participants will learn about the stress-reducing effects of gardening and gain insights into creating accessible, sensory-rich gardens tailored to different abilities.
The featured speaker for the webinar will be Xuan “Jade” Wu, Ph.D., an AgriLife Extension specialist and assistant professor in the AgriLife Extension Family and Community Health unit. Topics to be covered include explaining the benefits of gardening for individuals with disabilities, strategies for selecting sensory elements, plants, and design features for specific disabilities, and key principles and design elements for creating accessible and welcoming gardens for individuals with varying abilities. The webinar will also address the importance of creating safe and inviting gardens for individuals with disabilities.
Overall, the webinar aims to educate participants on the positive impacts of gardening on individuals with disabilities and provide practical insights into creating inclusive garden spaces that promote their mental, physical, and social well-being.