Digitized HouseDigitized House
  • Alexa
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • Smart Components
    • Security Cameras
    • Security Systems
    • Smart Displays
    • Smart Door Locks
    • Smart Lighting
    • Smart Plugs
    • Smart Product Round-ups
    • Smart Shades
    • Smart Speakers
    • Smart Thermostats
    • Smart Water
    • Smoke + CO Detectors
    • Solar Photovoltaics
  • About + Policy
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertising, Affiliate Link, and Sponsorship Policy
Search
© 2015-2022 Digitized House Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: How Smart Homes Can Benefit People with Disabilities
Share
Notification
Aa
Aa
Digitized HouseDigitized House
  • Alexa
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • Smart Components
  • About + Policy
Search
  • Alexa
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • Smart Components
    • Security Cameras
    • Security Systems
    • Smart Displays
    • Smart Door Locks
    • Smart Lighting
    • Smart Plugs
    • Smart Product Round-ups
    • Smart Shades
    • Smart Speakers
    • Smart Thermostats
    • Smart Water
    • Smoke + CO Detectors
    • Solar Photovoltaics
  • About + Policy
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertising, Affiliate Link, and Sponsorship Policy
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2015-2022 Digitized House Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Digitized House > Blog > Connected Home > Security Cameras > How Smart Homes Can Benefit People with Disabilities
Connected HomeFeatured ArticlesPrivacy & Safety

How Smart Homes Can Benefit People with Disabilities

Noah Rue
Last updated: 2021/03/29 at 4:06 PM
By Noah Rue
Share
6 Min Read
The AltumView Sentinare sensor is among the latest tech designed to facilitate aging in place. Image: Digitized House.
The AltumView Sentinare sensor is among the latest tech designed to help those with disabilities live more independently. Here, the sensor's stick-figure view of a monitored individual as seen from the app. Image: Digitized House.
SHARE

There’s no question that a disability can make the functions of everyday living a challenge. Whether you are facing mobility challenges, vision or hearing impairments, or other health obstacles, safety and independence can be a rare and precious commodity when you have a disability.

Contents
A Matter of SafetyA Matter of ConvenienceThe TakeawayMore About This Topic:

But as vital as accessibility and functionality are in the broader community, they’re even more important in the home. Dwellings should be places of safety, comfort, and freedom. And now, more than ever, smart technologies are helping persons with disabilities to experience that feeling of autonomy and security in their own homes.

A Matter of Safety

Smart security systems are among the most popular options for those with disabilities. Image: SimpliSafe.
Smart security systems are among the most popular safety options for those with disabilities. Image: SimpliSafe.

Perhaps the most important benefit of today’s smart home technologies is simply the safety aspect. Wireless security systems, one of the four main types of home security systems, are easy to install, can be readily modified to meet the user’s evolving needs, and can be remotely monitored from your smartphone or laptop. 

Best of all, if you need an added layer of protection, you can also purchase third-party monitoring services to detect a range of emergencies, from potential break-ins, to fire, to medical distress. For persons with disabilities and the people who look after them, the reassurance of knowing that help can be summoned simply with the press of a button or the speaking of a word can mean all the difference. It may be the determining factor in whether you remain in your own house or relocate to an assisted living facility or caregiver’s home.

Smart locks, such as this one from August Home, provide remote monitoring capability and additional peace of mind when it comes to caring for elders. Image: Digitized House.
Smart locks, such as this one from August Home, provide remote monitoring capability and additional peace of mind when it comes to caring for elders. Image: Digitized House.

Smart locks are another outstanding safety feature that can help persons with disabilities live independently. Not only do smart locks help persons with mobility challenges come and go more easily, but they also allow homeowners with disabilities to control who has access to their home, locking and unlocking doors using your digital device or voice command.

A Matter of Convenience

Being safe and secure at home is essential, of course. But that’s not all that matters. It’s also important to feel comfortable and free at home. Your house, in other words, should work for you. 

That is the core premise behind the concept of universal design. In a nutshell, universal design means that your home is outfitted, from its construction to its furnishings and everything in between, to help you—and anyone else for that matter—live the lifestyle you want. This is done, above all, by ensuring ease of use, customization, and simplicity. 

Universal design can involve anything from ensuring that pull handles on dresser drawers are designed to be easily gripped by those with fine motor impairments to the use of flashing lights on smoke detectors for persons with hearing challenges. It can also ensure adequate clearance through doorways for wheelchairs, and making the shower barrier free for ease of entry and egress.

Furthermore, smart devices offer a seemingly endless variety of options for achieving the utilitarian goals of universal design. For example, you no longer have to manually adjust your thermostat or turn on lamps and light switches. Smart systems can accomplish all of this through simple voice commands or through automations.

And if voice controls are not right for you, then these same smart devices and security systems are ready to assist and also be controlled through your tablet, smartphone, or other digital devices. Even more exciting, technologies are now evolving which can provide continuous health monitoring and can alert family and caregivers when signs of a potential medical problem are detected. 

AltumView offers the Sentinare Smart Sensor and the Cypress app, a non-intrusive way to provide remote monitoring for elderly family members. Video: AltumView Systems.

There are, for example, already budget-friendly and easy-to-use technologies that can not only detect falls and other events but can also alert caregivers to any change in their loved one’s daily activities. For instance, if the system does not detect motion by a pre-determined time each morning, family members can receive an immediate notification on their phone or mobile device. That is both independence and peace of mind.

Products in this space include the Sentinare 2 Smart Sensor from AltumView Systems, which is coming to market in Q2 2021 at a cost under $200 per camera (see image at the top of this page, produced in our labs from one of these systems). Used with the Canadian company’s Cypress app, the private video feed can depict monitored individuals in a stick-figure mode.

The Takeaway

Life with a disability can be challenging. But thanks to today’s smart technologies, you don’t have to sacrifice safety or independence. From security systems to the convenience of universal design, you can create the smart home that truly meets your needs and provides you with the quality of life you deserve.

More About This Topic:

  • More from Digitized House | Guide to the Connected Home
  • Sign Up to Get Weekly Digitized House Updates

TAGGED: August Home, SimpliSafe
Noah Rue 29 March 2021
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy Link Print
By Noah Rue
Noah Rue is a journalist and content writer, fascinated with the intersection between global health, personal wellness, and modern technology. When he isn't searching out his next great writing opportunity, Noah likes to shut off his devices and head to the mountains to disconnect.
Previous Article Hubble for iPad Makes Ports Fashionable Again
Next Article The book Message from Dad—Stuck at Home is a hilarious look back at the lockdowns of 2020. Image: Digitized House. Message from Dad—Stuck at Home a Good Read

Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate, Digitized House may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links, ads, or buttons on this page. See our full Affiliate Link, Sponsorship, and Ad Policy.

Latest News

The Resideo Total Connect 2.0 app is the mobile control center for their ProSeries security systems and the FirstAlert VX1 doorbell. Image: Resideo.
FirstAlert Video DoorBell and HomeKit Support adds to Resideo Pro Security Range
Apple HomeKit News Security Cameras Security Systems 14 April 2023
These new Resideo products can be implemented to achieve whole-home water monitoring and management. Image: Resideo.
Resideo Raises Water Networks With Smart Leak and Freeze Detector
Water Network 22 March 2023
smart home at twilight with smart shades
Smart Shade Buying Guide for 2023
Amazon Alexa Apple HomeKit Connected Home Google Home Privacy & Safety Product Guide Samsung SmartThings Security Network Smart Shades 3 January 2023

About Digitized House

We are the Guide to the Connected Home and help global consumers make their 
Connected Homes smarter, healthier, and safer through streams of original content. You can see our story here.

Like what you see on this website? You can also read us on our Apple News App Channel.

Contact Us

Registered Office
Digitized House Media LLC
517 Ocate Mesa Trail
Liberty Hill, Texas 78642
United States
Email: hello@digitized.house

Visit our Facebook Page

Latest Product Reviews

Kohler H2Wise+ Marks Rise of the Water Network
Connected Home Featured Articles Review Smart Water
Healthier Smart Home Air Filtration: Aura Air Review
Connected Home Featured Articles Healthy Home Review Sustainable Home
Digitized HouseDigitized House
Follow US
© 2015-2022 Digitized House Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?