When it comes to describing Marcus Tyler, a few adjectives just aren’t enough for his colleagues. It’s rare for anyone working two full-time jobs to be characterized as “tireless,” but Marcus’s supervisors write that he demonstrates “tireless advocacy…his loyalty and commitment to ensuring the people he serves get the highest quality of support never waiver.” Marcus has been working as a Direct Support Professional for over 20 years.
Read MoreSimplyHome is pleased to announce our winners of the 2019 DSP Tech Awards! This is Part 2. Direct Support Professionals play a crucial role in support services, especially when it comes to integrating enabling technology in a person-centered way. Today we get to meet one of our finalists, Whitney Granger. Whitney was recommended for the award by Chris Baumgart, Assistive Technology Specialist at Imagine! Colorado.
Read MoreSimplyHome is pleased to announce our winners of the 2019 DSP Tech Awards! This is Part 1. Direct Support Professionals play a crucial role in support services, especially when it comes to integrating enabling technology in a person-centered way. Today we get to meet one of our finalists, Terry Miller. Terry was recommended for the award by Nick Filarelli, Program Director at Core Services of Northeast Tennessee.
Read MoreSimplyHome President Jason Ray provided a technology provider perspective, while Greg Wellems and Nathan Gerhard (of Keystone) provided insight from the service provider. Jo-Ann Garrity, Advocate, gave her perspective as well, as the individual receiving technology supports as part of residential services.
Read MoreThis year at the 2019 CQL Conference in Baltimore, which happens to be the 50th anniversary of the Council on Quality and Leadership, SimplyHome will present at a featured breakout session: “Partnerships for Lasting Independence with Enabling Technology.” This will be a special presentation: SimplyHome’s President, Jason Ray, will be co-presenting with Nick Filarelli and Susan Arwood of Core Services of Northeast Tennessee.
Read MoreAs “Technology First” takes center stage in the I/DD world, organizations and states are asking what it takes to attain this status. From SimplyHome’s front-row seat to this discussion, one thing is clear: When organizations commit to long-term, sustainable development of their staff, equipping them to evolve with the changing times, and embracing employees as the most important component of technology integration, everyone wins. With education, we all move forward together.
Read MoreRecently we received a phone call from a parent who was anticipating her son’s move to a new apartment. All of the sensors in his SimplyHome System would need to be transported and reinstalled, and some of his daily routines had changed, including what time he needs to go outside to wait for the transit bus.
For the SimplyHome team, this is a chance to re-engage in a person-centered conversation with and about the individual: What are their current goals? What are their priorities for their life right now? What are their concerns? Are there other concerns that technology can help address?
Read MoreWhen you meet Brian for the first time – and he has probably never met a stranger he couldn’t befriend – the first thing that strikes you is how much joy is radiating off a single human being. Clad in a bright American flag t-shirt, blue jeans, sneakers, and giving a very enthusiastic salute combined with a thumb’s up, Brian’s grin and laughter seem to leap off his face and onto the faces of everyone around him.
Read MoreToday we are going behind the scenes to see what a SimplyHome installation is really like.
Read MoreMeet David and Tony. They’ve been friends for a long time. Most recently, they had staff supports with them 24/7, but before that, they were able to live more independently with family members. The technology has enabled them to return to greater independence.
Read MoreOf all the milestones in a young adult’s life, moving out may be the most exciting one. Whether moving out means living with a roommate or by themselves, most young adults are anxious to have a place of their own. Parents of young adults with I/DD often have big questions about this milestone: Will their adult children be safe? Will they take their medications? Will they need a roommate? Will they be able to handle independence? This is where enabling technology (ET) comes in to address these understandable concerns.
Read MoreCollege programs for young adults with I/DD measure their success by whether their graduates find good jobs. But what if students don’t attend a program like this – or even if they do – what then? Today on our blog we want to celebrate three creative paths people with I/DD take to competitive employment.
Read MoreFor many young adults, the transition to adulthood is filled with anticipation. Dreams of college, full-time employment, and living away from home can be both exciting and intimidating for any teenager. Youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) have additional considerations that impact this transition. Thankfully, the availability of college education for students with I/DD is on the rise.
Read MoreRecently we got to take a field trip to see David Maennle and his mother Becky give a talk to a room full of educators at Western Carolina (Biltmore Park Campus). They talked about David's plan for his life and the SimplyHome technology that has enabled David to become more independent. They also shared big news: they have a plan to build the log cabin David envisions!
Read MoreThis year’s Tennessee Disability MegaConference will feature an engaging presentation with real-life stories of how technology has impacted lives of Tennesseans, with contributions by Jason Ray of SimplyHome, Audria Frattini of Prospect, Inc., and Nick Filarelli of Core Services of Northeast Tennessee.
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