3 Ways to Fund Assistive Technology in North Carolina

We 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.

A Portrait of Independence with the SimplyHome Responder App

For 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.

Enabling Technology Initiative Featured on Tennessee's WJHL

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.

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Carl's Story and SimplyHome Technology Featured on Tennessee's WJHL

Carl'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.

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SimplyHome Website Wins 2018 Caregiver Friendly Award

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - July 18, 2018 - PRLog -- SimplyHome, leading provider of innovative and affordable technology solutions for aging and disabled populations, announced today that the SimplyHome website, www.simply-home.com, was named a Today’s Caregiver Magazine Caregiver Friendly® Award winner. The SimplyHome website was honored in the Media category of the Caregiver Friendly awards, which are designed to celebrate products, services, books and media created with caregivers in mind.

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Meet the Responder App: A Provider’s Story

Prior 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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Press Release: SimplyHome Launches Check-in Service and Responder App

PR Newswire, Asheville, NC (July 16, 2018) – SimplyHome, LLC, announces the debut of the Check-in Service and Responder App for iOS and Android mobile devices. The latest addition to SimplyHome’s suite of enabling technology, the Check-in Service and Responder App allow provider organizations to verify care and easily manage a client’s circle of support.

Top 5 Ways Enabling Technology Reaches Beyond Remote Monitoring

It's often the first conversation we have with people who are new to SimplyHome: Why do you call it enabling technology? You use sensors in your systems, so isn't this the same as remote monitoring, or monitoring technology? And adding to that confusion, sometimes the same devices – such as cameras or sensors – can be used for remote monitoring OR enabling technology. So how do we define enabling technology?

Carl's Story: One Month Later

One month in, Carl is loving life on his own. His transition to his own home has worked out so well that Core Services now has a long list of people they support who could benefit from enabling technology. SimplyHome is honored to partner with Core Services and we look forward to partnering in more amazing outcomes for the people they support.

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Does My State Have Funding for Enabling Technology? (Updated)

Note: The original version of this post was published in November. But we have some additional resources to share with you, so we thought we'd update it and share it again!

It’s a question we hear often: Does my state cover assistive technology?

It’s not a surprising question: Working through pages and pages of waivers and other documents can make you feel like you are working in the dark.

As we work with providers, clients, families, and loved ones, most want to know if Medicaid funding can be used to implement assistive technology – and specifically, to use that technology to promote independence as a part of a life in the community. This is what we call enabling technology.

What's Your Why?

Recently SimplyHome’s Allen and Drue Ray attended the 2018 Ohio Tech Summit, a one-day event focused on technology that enables independence for people with disabilities.

Allen led a session where he spoke about SimplyHome’s enabling technology products and services, but as usual, he reminded the audience not to focus on the newest technology for its own sake, on “Final Rules” or on EVV, but to focus instead on their why.

Allen asked each audience member to write down their own why for wanting to use technology to support people with disabilities. SimplyHome was so inspired by the audience’s responses that we wanted to share some of these! Thanks to these awesome audience members for sharing their why.

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Carl's Story: A Portrait of Independence with Enabling Technology

The Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (TN DIDD) recently released a video that is a moving portrait of how enabling technology helped Carl (who receives services via one of our partners, Core Services of Northeast Tennessee) finally achieve his dream of living on his own.

Sandra's Story - In Recognition of Mental Health Month

With changes in Medicaid funding as a result of the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) final rule, states are developing waivers to support the transition of people with mental health issues into more independent community living. With these waivers, individuals can access enabling technology that supports health and wellbeing without the need for 24/7 staffing in the home environment.

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An Update on David's Vision

David Maennle, whom we have previously featured on the SimplyHome blog, continues to distinguish himself as an outstanding young man working towards his goals. David has Down syndrome and uses SimplyHome technology to live in his own apartment in the community.

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Using technology as a natural support, Bryan Leonard hones his skills

Today on our blog, in support of the upcoming event #InclusionSaturday, we feature our employee Bryan Leonard, who also happens to be celebrating a birthday this week. Happy Birthday, Bryan!!!!

For Individuals, Independent Living, Individuals with Disab...SimplyHomeMarch 22, 2018Comment

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