Life with a disability can be challenging and NDIS participants often have unique needs when it comes to their home environment. Assistive technology is providing the solutions needed to make life at home more manageable. A great example of smart home technology is smart lighting. It’s a valuable tool for NDIS participants wanting to increase their independence, enhance their safety, and live a more convenient life. Let’s explore the benefits of smart lighting for those with a disability.
Smart lighting is easier to control
A major benefit of smart lighting is how it is controlled. No more needing to move around the house to turn switches on and off. Smart lighting is all controlled via a mobile app or voice command, if a smart home assistant has been installed. This is of great help to an NDIS participant who has difficulty with mobility. Smart lighting allows the user to turn their lights on and off from anywhere in the room or even from another part of the house.
Imagine being in the bedroom and wondering if the lights were left on in the kitchen. Check the status through the smart lighting mobile app and if they’re on, easily turn them off without moving an inch. The same situation applies when away from the home, even well away from home, like overseas. Control is all in the palm of the hand.
Smart lighting provides safety inside and outside the home
Smart lighting not only provides safety for the NDIS participant within their home but when installed on the exterior, it can act as a deterrent to potential intruders.
When installed inside the home it can be programmed to turn on automatically when someone enters the room. We are commonly asked to install smart lighting in the bathroom for this very reason. Going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, when it’s pitch black, can pose a fall risk. Programming the smart lighting to activate on motion eliminates this risk. It can be set at a low light level so as not to be too bright and wake up the individual. Staircases and hallways, typically a low lit area, are areas we also recommend motion activated smart lighting be installed, for the safety of the NDIS participant.
Installing smart lighting outside the home is a simple and effective way to add a layer of security to the home. Shining a light on the unwanted behaviour tends to scare the perpetrator, making them retreat to a darker, less visible, well away from your home.
Smart lighting can be programmed to mimic regular activity by automatically turning on and off at specific times throughout the day. This feature is especially useful for protecting your home when you’re away, as it gives the impression that someone is still there.
Smart lighting allows for customisation
Smart lighting comes with a range of customisation features that can be particularly helpful for NDIS participants. It’s easy to adjust the brightness of your smart lights to create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion, whether it’s dimming the lights to watch the TV or brightening them for reading or working.
Many smart lights come with RGB capabilities, enabling you to choose from millions of colours. This is great for creating a particular ambience or simply adding a splash of colour to change your mood. Have fun with this feature!
Smart lighting is energy efficient
Smart lighting can automatically turn off when a room is unoccupied. For example, if you leave the bathroom light on without realising it, the smart lights detect the inactivity and switch off to conserve energy. This feature is incredibly helpful for NDIS participants, eliminating the need to return to the room to check the lights.
Additionally, brightness levels can be programmed to adjust based on natural light availability. For instance, the lights can dim or turn off when enough sunlight is present, effectively reducing overall energy usage.
Or set the smart lighting to turn on and off at specific times, ensuring that lights are only used when needed. This prevents unnecessary energy consumption without even thinking about it. What a smart way for the NDIS participants to save on their energy bills.
Smart lighting benefits multiple when integrated with a smart home assistant
Voice activation is the main reason to consider installing a smart home assistant and integrating it with the smart lighting system. The smart home assistants we commonly install are Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple Home. If one of these home assistants are already in place, we’ll connect it the smart lighting system for you. Once integrated, through a simple voice command, you can control your smart lighting. As you enter the room, ask the lights to be switched on. As you exit, request they be turned off. Dim the lights simply by asking. It’s the ultimate in convenience.
Smart lighting offers numerous conveniences
The features mentioned above all relate to added convenience. A higher level of convenience enhances the ability to manage home life, fostering greater independence, a goal of most NDIS participants. Smart lighting ensures the home is well-lit at all times, without the need for assistance from a caregiver or family member. This alone brings peace of mind to everyone concerned.
Examples of NDIS participants who experience benefits of smart lighting
- Blindness & Low Visibility: Smart lighting can be voice-activated (with the installation of smart home assistant), allowing a person who is blind to control their home lighting without needing to find switches.
- Hearing Impaired: Smart lighting systems can be integrated with alarms and notifications, using light signals to alert someone who is deaf to important events, like a guest at the door.
- Mobility Impaired: For individuals with mobility impairments, smart lighting can be controlled through a smartphone app or voice commands, eliminating the need to reach for switches.
- Neurologically Disorders: Smart lighting can provide gentle, automatic illumination at night, reducing confusion and the risk of falls for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
- Autism: Adjustable smart lighting can create calming environments by changing colours and brightness levels, helping to soothe individuals with autism.
Smart lighting provides a world of features to the NDIS participant
Smart lighting can be a powerful tool for those living with a disability to enhance their safety, convenience and independence. With accessibility, customisation, convenience and safety benefits, it can be a valuable tool for those who want to improve their living environment. If you or a loved one can benefit from smart lighting, read this one-pager on smart lighting or contact us for advice on your particular situation.
How Smarter Homes Australia empowers NDIS participants be independent
It’s with pleasure our team can provide the opportunity for NDIS participants to live an independent and secure life at home. We work with a number of NDIS and social support organisations to improve the lives of Australians throughout Brisbane and across South-East QLD.
If you’re looking for assistive technology for yourself or the person in your care, please contact us and make sure to 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.
Smart Lighting 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.
- What are the benefits of smart lighting for NDIS participants?
Smart lighting offers numerous benefits for NDIS participants, including enhanced safety, improved accessibility, and greater independence. With features like voice control (when paired with a home assistant), automated schedules, and motion sensors, smart lighting can create a more comfortable and convenient living environment tailored to individual needs.
- How can smart lighting be controlled by individuals with disabilities?
Smart lighting systems can be controlled using various methods that cater to different abilities. These include voice commands through virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, mobile application, and existing light switches. These options ensure that everyone can manage their lighting effortlessly, especially if there are members of the household that don’t want to adapt to the new technology.
- Are there funding options available through the NDIS for smart lighting solutions?
Yes, the NDIS provides funding for assistive technology, which includes smart lighting solutions. Participants can include smart lighting in their NDIS plans as it can support their goals for independence, safety, and improved quality of life. It’s recommended to discuss your needs with your NDIS plan manager or support team to ensure the appropriate funding is allocated.
