Today, assistive technology is playing a significant role in helping individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence. Through the perspective of Alex, who is living with blindness, we’ll explore how these smart home technologies can ease daily routines and improve quality of life for the NDIS participant.
Meet Alex, a capable and inspiring individual whose vision deteriorated late in life. Like many other NDIS participants, Alex’s goal is to continue living at home independently. Thanks to modern technology, this dream is possible. Assistive tech, in the form of smart home automation devices, can significantly enhance Alex’s daily life, providing the tools needed to navigate home safely, comfortably and confidently.
From our extensive experience with NDIS participants, we’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact that smart home automation can have on someone’s life. Let’s explore the specific smart home devices that are transforming lives every day.
First some helpful resources:
- For the official definition of assistive technology according to the Australian Government, refer to the NDIS website at this page Assistive Technology Guideline.
- Check out the thorough information and caring support provided by Vision Australia
How a digital door lock is a game changer for the visually impaired
A smart digital door lock will make Alex’s home more secure and easier to access. Traditional locks can be difficult to use, especially when it requires the insertion of small keys into locks, a challenge for those with poor vision. With a smart lock, Alex can unlock his door using voice commands, a smartphone, or their fingerprint. No more physical key struggles. He also has control of the lock remotely, so when he’s not there, he can be confident the house is safe and secure. Additionally, Alex can grant access to trusted visitors or caregivers without needing to be physically at the door, providing both convenience and enhanced safety.
A video doorbell for safety and access management
Living independently means Alex has full responsibility to control who enters his home. A smart video camera doorbell helps him do this easily. This smart device lets him hear and talk to visitors through his smartphone, no matter where he may be. With his poor vision, checking who is at the door is a security risk. Now he has the means to identify who is there without opening or even approaching it. For added security, the smart doorbell’s motion detection alerts him instantly to any activity at his doorstep. With the feature of two-way audio, he can communicate with delivery personnel or unexpected visitors, keeping him informed and in control of his home’s entry points.
For those with blindness, managing lighting is easy with smart tech
No matter the degree of vision loss, lighting is a requirement in every home. Even for individuals with total blindness, lighting is necessary to provide a safe environment for visitors, such as caregivers, family, and friends. With a smart lighting system installed, it makes management of the environment tech-driven, rather than relying upon your vision.
And for those with limited vision, lights are a safety necessity. Our smart lighting systems offer multiple features like motion-activated lights to ensure the path is always well-lit at exactly the time it’s needed, programmable to be activated at a set time day or night, and can be easily integrated with a smart home assistant, allowing full control through voice commands.
Smart lighting is a simple and cost-effective way to significantly enhance safety and ease of movement within the home when vision is a challenge.
How smart garage and gate openers simplify entry for the visually impaired
A smart garage door or front gate opener offers significant convenience for visually impaired individuals. For Alex, this technology simplifies the process of entering and exiting his home by allowing him to control the garage door or front gate with his smartphone. When integrated with a smart home assistant, the operation can be done using voice commands. And like the smart door lock, access can be granted to approved persons such as caregivers, family and friends.
They also enhance security, with Alex being able to check the status of the garage or gate remotely, giving him the confidence to live independently while feeling safe and secure.
Making the home temperature comfortable is effortless with a smart aircon
An air conditioner instantly makes your home comfortable, day and night, all year round. However, if it’s not a smart air conditioner, you’re likely paying more to run it than necessary, and its operation is not as simple as it could be. You have two options, depending on your starting point.
If you have nothing, we can supply and install a premium, smart aircon to allow full app and WiFi access. Whether you have one or many, connect them to a system and operate them conveniently from a single app.
Or if you have a split aircon system already, we easily and efficiently upgrade it into a smart aircon. This upgrade offers all the modern conveniences of a smart air conditioner without the high cost. Integrate it with your smart home assistant and now via voice commands, an individual with blindness can effortlessly switch the aircon on and off or set it to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Using your voice to manage daily life with a smart home assistant
To enhance Alex’s quality of life and make living independently possible, installing a smart home assistant really takes advantage of smart tech to the greatest extent. It’s truly transformational when life’s many tasks can be done hands-free, through a simple request of technology. Multiple this feeling of confidence when that person is trying to look after themselves independently when blind or with low vision. Through voice-controlled operations, Alex can automate regular actions, answering the doorbell, locking the front door, switching the lights on and off, adjusting the thermostat, as examples.
Additionally, the smart home assistant can be used as an entertainment and communication tool. Ask it to play a certain playlist, make a phone call to a friend and inform him of the weather forecast for the day. It also can be a management tool, reminding him of appointments and when to take medication. The possibilities are endless when a smart home is fully integrated.
A day in the life of Alex, supported by Assistive Technology
Let’s see the practical application of assistive technology by stepping through the everyday tasks an individual with blindness, such as Alex, our case study, might experience.
7:00 AM
Alex’s smart home assistant gradually wakes him up by playing his favourite morning playlist. The smart thermostat has been programmed at a comfortable temperature.
7:15 AM
Alex asks his smart assistant to give him the weather forecast, to help with clothing selection, and read out his schedule for the day. The morning routine has started efficiently.
7:30 AM
Alex asks the smart home assistant to unlock the front door, for his guide dog’s morning walk.
9:00 AM
Alex has a meeting with a friend at a nearby café. His smart assistant reminds him 30 minutes before the meeting and calls a taxi service for transportation. His smart watch vibrates, alerting Alex to the arrival of the taxi driver at the front door. He opens the front door with his voice, and checks it is locked again once he has left.
11:30 AM
Alex arrives home and enters the house using his fingerprint on the digital door lock. No keys required!
1:30 PM
After lunch, Alex spends some time relaxing with an audiobook. He uses voice commands to control playback and adjust the volume, making it easy to enjoy his book without needing to handle any devices.
3:00 PM
Alex receives a reminder from his smart home assistant to take his medication. He asks the assistant to set a timer for his daily exercise routine. Using voice commands, Alex starts a guided exercise program on his smart TV.
4:00 PM
Alex’s carer is due for a routine visit. The video doorbell notification vibrates on his smart watch, when she is at the front door. Alex is able to talk to his carer through the video doorbell, confirming her identification. He easily unlocks the door for her without moving from the living room. The smart home assistant also turns on the lights in the living room.
6:00 PM
As the temperature cools, the smart thermostat automatically adjusts the living room and bedroom to a comfortable temperature.
7:30 PM
After dinner, Alex asks the smart home assistant to help him unwind by playing relaxing music. He checks all the doors are locked, and the garage is closed.
9:30 PM
Before heading off to bed, Alex asks his smart home assistant to turn off the lights in the living room and turn on the lights in the bedroom and bathroom. The final requests he makes before going to sleep are to turn off all the lights to save energy and to set the alarm for the next morning.
This is assistive technology working hard to help the NDIS participant be self-sufficient.
How Smarter Homes Australia empowers NDIS Participants to enjoy a more independent and stress-free home environment
Each working day, we have the honour of supporting NDIS participants, improving their homes and daily living. We look forward to extending these benefits to the visually impaired, which could be you or the person under your care.
Like to learn more about the best assistive technology solutions for your home, take advantage of our free quote offer. We’ll come to the home, evaluate the situation, and provide you with a personalised plan for your consideration. Please contact us and schedule your free quote or installation today.
Assistive Technology for NDIS Participants FAQs
- Do you work with NDIS participants?
Yes we do, all the time. Refer to our specific guide to NDIS participants for more information.
- Do you work with NDIS participants outside of SE Qld?
No unfortunately we don’t. We only service South-East Queensland for installation, however we can provide products-only through our Smarter Store.
- How do I know what Assistive Technology is funded through NDIS?
As a starting point, check out the NDIS website information provided at this address – What assistive technology do we fund? Or ask your Plan Manager, Support Worker or Occupational Therapist who should have the experience to answer your specific questions. At Smarter Homes Australia we currently support all NDIS participants who are plan and self-managed with their funding, however we cannot provide the approval that is required from your support team.
- What are the next steps and how do I arrange a quote?
After taking a look at the services we offer, simply fill out the contact form on our website and let us know what you’re interested in. From there our team can provide you with an in-person or online quote to discuss further with your support team.
