How Smarthome Technology Offers Disabled Persons a New Lease on Life

Published December 16, 2022 | By Dorien

Living Independently in South Carolina

Everyone deserves to have a home and live the life they want. Those who are living with a disability often have fewer choices about where and how they live alone. Children with disabilities who work on gaining independence from their parents will experience confidence in themselves.

Technology can help facilitate these changes and that independence.

Technology used for good is allowing disabled persons to replace some of the tasks done for them with tasks they can do on their own with the help of this new technology.

This article will highlight just a few use-cases of smarthome technology for those living with a disability.

Smarthome Technology for The Visually Impaired

From first-hand experience we know how hard it is for someone who is slowly losing their vision to continue to live alone. Smarthome technology has helped a loved one we know in these ways:

They used Alexa to

turn on the TV and adjust the volume
warm up meals in the microwave
make phone calls
alert emergency personal

They also used another product to dispense pills twice per day.

Smarthome technology for the visually impaired can make the difference between independence, and relying on the help of a home aide.

From this article we learn:

Voice assistants can be integrated into a smart home to

Turn on/off lights
Control heating and cooling systems in a home
Open/close shades
Lock/unlock doors
TV Control (even people who are totally blind will use a TV for audio content)
Control robotic vacuums, mops, and lawn mowers
Notify homeowners of events occurring in the home
And more…

Smarthome Technology for Those with Hearing Loss

When we look as those persons with hearing loss, smarthome technology can help them in different ways.

That includes

Smart doorbells
Smart TVs
Smart security system
Smart hearing aids!

There are so many reasons to embrace smarthome technology!

Smarthome Technology for Those Who Live with Physical Limitations

This article from the New York Times highlights how people with physical disability and limited motion can be helped with smarthome technology!

It’s amazing to read WHAT can be automated in your home (HINT: Just about anything that runs on electricity!)

telephones
garage doors
lights
thermostats
TVs
locks
doors
and so so much more.

Voice controlled automation is brilliant for those with limited mobility!

Smarthome Technology for Those Living with Cognitive Impairments

Last but not least, those with cognitive impairments can be helped with smarthome technology, too.

Elderly who live alone and might forget to take meds, can be reminded to take them at set times with a simple Alexa hack. Simple tasks that are easily forgotten (like eating lunch, or cleaning the dishes) can be set to become daily reminders.

Smarthome technology can be used to make their home safer when they cook or perform other simple tasks.

Smarthome technology might give a person with cognitive impairments a bit more independence, or a few extra months in their home if they are experiencing declining health.

Smarthome Technology is Not Just for Disabled Homeowners

If you have a child with a disability, smarthome technology can enrich the life of your child by offering them more independence. Come talk to us about your most pressing issue and we might be able to help you find a simple solution with smarthome technology. We’d love to help you and your family!