Oklahomans with Disabilities Can Access Free Smart Home Technology to Enhance Independence
– The Oklahoma Statewide Independent Living Council is offering free Smart Home technology to individuals with disabilities in Oklahoma. This includes voice-activated devices, remote-controlled appliances, mobility aids, medication dispensers, and seizure detection gadgets.
– The program aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities by providing state-of-the-art housing and assistive technologies. The cost of the enabling technology ranges from $30 to $4,000, and the agency used $125,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to create demonstration sites.
Elaboration:
The Oklahoma Statewide Independent Living Council is excited to introduce a program that offers free Smart Home technology to Oklahomans with disabilities. This initiative aims to enhance their independence and daily lives by providing them with cutting-edge assistive technologies.
The Smart Home technology includes a range of devices such as voice-activated assistants, remote-controlled appliances, and mechanisms to increase mobility. These tools enable individuals with limitations in their daily lives to perform various tasks independently and with ease. Additionally, the program offers gadgets that can dispense medications and detect seizures, providing crucial support for those with specific medical needs.
Sidna Trimmell, the executive director for the Oklahoma Statewide Independent Living Council, expressed her enthusiasm for the advancements in assistive technology. She believes that accessible and state-of-the-art housing is exciting for everyone dedicated to promoting independent living for people with disabilities.
The cost of the enabling technology varies, with prices ranging from $30 to $4,000. To fund this program, the agency utilized $125,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act. These funds were allocated to create demonstration sites where individuals can experience and benefit from the Smart Home technologies before making a decision.
This program comes at a crucial time as thousands of families in Oklahoma are on waiting lists for developmental disability support services. Some families have been waiting for over a decade to receive the necessary assistance. The Department of Human Services is working diligently to assist these families and aims to clear the waiting list within the next year.
Miranda Hutchison, a business analyst for Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Services, highlighted the significance of this program for individuals with limitations and their caregivers. By providing tools that streamline daily tasks and reduce caregiver burden, the program aims to improve the lives of families on the developmental disability support services waiting list. Hutchison emphasized that remote support and assistive technologies can be game-changing resources for all Oklahomans.
Residents who receive services through Developmental Disabilities Services or are on the waiting list may qualify for the free Smart Home technology. They are encouraged to contact their case managers for more information. Additionally, many of these technologies are available for private purchase, providing individuals with various options to access the assistive tools they need.
Overall, this program represents a significant step towards empowering individuals with disabilities in Oklahoma and ensuring they have access to the latest assistive technologies. By offering free Smart Home technology, the program aims to enhance independence and improve the quality of life for people with limitations in their daily lives.
Source: www.duncanbanner.com