Disabled Independent Gardeners Association
Disabled Independent Gardeners Association (DiGa) is a not-for-profit organization that supports gardeners with physical disabilities in Vancouver, Canada. It promotes nurturing plants as a therapeutic and rewarding pastime.
Role
DIGA provides people with physical disabilities the opportunity to become involved in gardening.
The organization states that gardening can be therapeutic, “a recreational activity that can enable people with disabilities to develop skills, build self-confidence, learn and grow.” Furthermore, it states barriers to participation are in the disabled individual’s environment, which can be mitigated with techniques such as raised-bed and container gardening and through the use of specially adapted tools.
History
DIGA was created in 1987 following a conversation between Barbara Raynor, who was then receiving treatment at Vancouver Arthritis Centre, and occupational therapist Gay Kuchta.
The organization grew from a workshop the two held at the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Kuchta was quoted as saying they expected 40 participants but 120 showed up. “They were a diverse group. People who had never gardened but were searching for something. People who had been gardening all their lives and wanted to continue despite a worsening physical condition."
The group came to a halt in the mid-1990s, but was revived in 2003 by quadriplegic Sam Sullivan, the founder of several non-profit groups serving people with disabilities.
DIGA currently runs regular workshops, offers one-on-one volunteer gardening help and operates accessible plots at two Vancouver community gardens.
Technological aids
One of the greatest barriers faced by gardeners with disabilities are standard gardening tools, according to the organization. With that in mind, DIGA works with its sister group the Tetra Society of North America which recruits volunteer engineers to create custom assistive devices. In this instance, modified tools to allow garden work including adapted hand tools, garden stools, mats for kneeling and devices to help people transfer between a wheelchair to the ground.
Affiliated societies
The Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation comprises of six affiliated societies:
- British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society
- ConnecTra
- Disabled Independent Gardeners Association
- Disabled Sailing Association of British Columbia
- Tetra Society of North America
- Vancouver Adapted Music Society