After airing a feature focused on Carl's Story last week, Tennessee's WJHL (Channel 11) released a follow-up story focusing on the state's initiative to incorporate technology in supporting people with disabilities.

If you missed Carl's story on our blog, you can read Part I here and Part II here. We have included excerpts from the latest news segment below, and you can read the entire article here.

The news story aired July 17 on the station:

GREENEVILLE, TN (WJHL)- Facing challenges to find caregivers, the state is now turning to technology to support people with disabilities.

Last week we told you about Carl Lipford, a man with disabilities who is now living independently thanks to a new home equipped with supportive technology. Some of the features in his home include a video doorbell, a sensor that sends an alert if the stove or other appliances are left on, and a bracelet he wears that alerts staff with just the push of a button.

Lipford is the first to live on his own through the "Enabling Technology" program.

Cara Kumari with the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities said the DIDD has received a recurring amount of $500,000 to expand the program. [...]

"We had people who received services through the DIDD programs that can and want to be more independent. They don't want staff 24 hours they want to live by themselves and many people have the ability to do that with just a little bit of technological support," Kumari said.

Continue reading the full article here.