When Colleen moved into a place of her own for the very first time, she was more prepared than many young adults who reach this milestone. From carefully saving her receipts and recording what she spends in her personal ledger to mastering the use of public transportation, Colleen has been working on multiple skill sets to prepare her for this day.
Read MoreWith the support of enabling technology, Brad has reached his goal of living on his own, while his parents were able to address their concerns about safety. The video features Brad’s story as well as Tennessee DIDD’s Enabling Technology pilot program.
Read MoreSo you’ve decided to be Technology First. Now what? This blog post suggests the first steps towards embracing Tech First for organizations – and for individuals.
Part 2 of our discussion on the Technology First movement.
Read MoreIn our work with organizations that provide services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are encountering the term “Technology First” more and more. It’s not just a slogan letting you know that a provider uses technology – it’s a movement!
Read MorePuzzled by Medicaid waivers? We totally get it. Every day at SimplyHome we work with clients who are navigating the complex world of Medicaid and reimbursement for services. It can get complicated!
Today on our blog, we are featuring a new infographic that gives a basic introduction to Medicaid waivers. There are some great links, too!
Read MoreTennessee resident Gerald seems pretty delighted with his new living situation. He cheerfully describes it in a new video from Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Read MoreA great introduction for anyone wanting to learn more about enabling technology. Takeaways from this insightful discussion include: real-life testimonials and success stories; shifting your focus onto outcomes, rather than gadgets; important industry terms like “dignity of risk” and “enabling technology”; insight into how technology and staff supports work together; how the SimplyHome process works.
Read MoreIn the last five years, especially with the arrival of the Amazon Echo in 2014, it has become increasingly obvious that Voice-First technology is going to change enabling technology completely. These speech-enabled interactions, designed for delivery through voice assistant software and voice-activated devices, have already begun to revolutionize care for people who are aging in place or living with disabilities.
Read MoreWe hope that a lack of funding for assistive technology never hinders people with developmental disabilities from leading full and independent lives in the community. The reality, of course, is that funding for people with disabilities can be very limited, and enabling technology can become an afterthought. What you may not know: You may have a right to assistive technology. When assistive technology is necessary for a person with a disability to be able to learn, live, have independence, or have a job, certain public programs may pay for that AT. Today on the blog, we feature three of those assistive technology programs here in our home state of North Carolina.
Read MoreIt’s the 21st century! Skip the pen and paper. With the Responder App, you’ll get an alert on your phone when a check-in is due or coming up, so you never forget a check-in again. Document your location with the touch of a button, using location-verification beacons. Crazy day? Change of schedule? Skip the check-in and leave a comment explaining what happened.
Read MoreFor Eric and his care team, technology is key to independence. When the 36-year-old moved out of a group home into an apartment of his own for the first time, Eric’s family was concerned that he wouldn’t be able to manage life on his own.
Read MoreAfter 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.
Read MoreCarl's story, which we have featured on our blog in a two-part blog post (Read Part I here and Part II here), was recently featured on News Channel 11 (WJHL) in Tennessee. Carl is a client with Core Services of Northeast Tennessee and the new Enabling Technology pilot program with TN DIDD uses SimplyHome technology. Carl is the first to use SimplyHome technology to live on his own with the pilot program.
Read MorePrior to using our SimplyHome Responder App, one New York City provider kept track of staff visits to client residences with pen and paper. This method often resulted in confusion and miscommunication, to say the least.
By using the SimplyHome Responder App on their smartphones, staff members are now able to document their check-ins, recording time- and check-ins to a geographical locations (client residences) by using our location verification beacons. Upon checking in, staff have immediate access to assigned tasks scheduled for that location and client (such as taking medications, preparing meals, or assisting with household tasks).
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