Environment Controls

Smart Homes are homes where appliances and services are set-up to be intelligently controlled and easily accessed.  This may include anything from heating, ventilation, home security to home entertainment systems, telephone, and the internet.  Houses are designed to be Smart Homes so that they can run more efficiently, be safer and more comfortable to live in, and to maximise their accessibility to all.

Most of us live in homes that have not been wired up to be Smart Homes, nor are most homes designed with smart technology in mind.  Smart Homes make living independently easier for everybody. For people with intellectual, physical or sensory disabilities the benefits of smart home technologies are many, and include: easier access to everyday appliances such as TV’s, doors, windows, etc, and consequently greater independence, with all of the self-esteem benefits that that brings with it.

 

Video on Independent Living

 

How can we improve accessibility in the home?

For a home where accessing appliances is difficult, some minor adjustments can be easily undertaken and at little expense to improve accessibility.  For example light switches can be replaced with infra-red controlled switches, controlled via a remote control unit.  A wireless door intercom and camera can be fitted to assist in answering the door remotely.

Where there are more significant user needs solutions need to be thought out more carefully. Time well spent looking at the requirements and the possible solutions available will avoid expensive mistakes.


Where to start

Build up your knowledge in the area. Talking to people who may experience similar challenges to see how they have overcome their barriers can yield valuable information, as well as talking to users who have equipment installed.  What have they found useful or what issues, if any, do they have with equipment?

Ask for help from people who are familiar with the area.  Assistance may be available from a local occupational therapist and suppliers of environmental controls or home automation systems.  Ideally an occupational therapist will work with an individual/family to identify the activities and the barriers that exist in the home.  They can then assist in looking at the alternatives that will suit the person in performing these activities more efficiently.  These alternatives may require the use of high tech devices such as a door opener or low tech options such as changing the position or type of handle on a door.  The occupational therapist will consider both the environmental control devices and appliances that need to be controlled , as well as the most appropriate remote control device to suit the individual’s needs.

Equipment suppliers on the other hand will have detailed knowledge of products in terms of their use and installation.