The House of the Future!
Or Today?
By Jeni Mundl and Trish Reinke
Once upon a time in
a land far, far away, there stood a house that one could turn on
the outdoor lights with a remote control, open and lock the door
with the push of a button, open the windows with the same remote
used to turn on the TV, and move around the house on a chair hanging
from a motorized track. Wait a minute, this isn’t
a fairytale–this is real! Welcome to some of the many environmental
controls that are part of a Smart Home.
A home that uses technology
to control devices and systems may be termed a Smart Home. The
level of control within the house is determined by the preferences
of the resident, the cost of the technology, and the type of building
for the controls installation. The assistive devices and environmental
controls utilized in someone’s home
can range from Good Grip utensils, plate guards, and shower/toilet
bars to automatic doors, lights, and faucets, electric beds, and
tracking systems.
To look at some of the
many, many assistive devices and environmental controls, let’s
take a tour through our Smart Home, pausing in each room to discuss
some of the options available.
The Exterior of the House
Motion
sensored lights: These lights can be mounted on the exterior of
your house and will turn on when triggered by nearby motion. The
lighting, while providing the means to see your way into the house,
will also alert you to the presence of others.
Remote-control lights: In addition to opening your garage with a
remote control, you can now turn on your exterior and even interior
lights as you pull-up to your house.
Lever door handles:
Try replacing your standard doorknob with a lever knob. The lever
doesn’t require grip, just a downward
pushing motion. It’s great for when your hands are full or
if you have difficulty grasping objects.
Portable ramps: With a portable ramp, you will never have to worry
about stairs again!
Automatic door openers:
With the push of a button, your front door will unlock and open – no messing around with doorknobs! And
don’t worry, many doors have battery back-ups in the case of
a power outage.
The Living Room
Front door
lock: Lock your front door using a remote control or a code. Control
your entire home with the touch of a button. With “Active
Home” from Smart Home, your whole home can be controlled
through a computer-based system. Put your lights on a timer, automate
your thermostat, it’s up to you!
Easy lift chairs: Do you have trouble getting out of your recliner?
The easy lift chair tilts forward and gives you the extra help that
you need to stand after watching the game.
Scanning Relax III: >From
Tash, the Relax 3 interfaces with your regular remote control,
allowing you to control 30 infrared functions, such as your TV,
VCR, DVD and stereo, as well as 10 X-10 functions.
Thermostat Controls: Control the temperature of your house from
your bedside! The thermostat has both a local and remote control
that responds to and receives X-10 commands. Check out www. smarthome.com.
Touch Lamps: With a single touch to the lamp, the light will go
on. No more messing around with tiny, twisting switches buried high
in the lampshade!
Kitchen
The Talking Microwave:
This microwave from AbleData uses voice output to confirm the selected
times and functions of the user. The user can press a button at
any part of the cooking time to find out how much time is left. When
the function is completed, the microwave uses voice-output to let
the user know.
Oxo Good Grips Utensils: These sturdy utensils have a wider, padded
grip designed to make the handle easier for the user to hold as well
as absorb some of the pressure created during use.
Plate guards: These guards wrap around the edge of your plate, either
all or half way around. They give you a raised edge to press your
utensil against to get the food onto your fork or spoon without assistance.
Recipes: Rather than turn the pages in a book, try out www.allrecipes.com.
This site has a plethora of recipes without the hassle of the cookbook.
Electronic Lazy Susan:
Not only does a Lazy Susan maximize space but it also provides
easier access because it’s lower to the
ground. The remote control allows you to turn the shelves at the
touch of a button.
Kitchen cabinets: Rather
than swing the doors open, pull the cabinet down to you. These
cabinets pull down to the counter and automatically close once
you let the “handle” go.
Adjustable stove top:
With the flip of a switch, move your stovetop up or down to the
appropriate cooking height that’s easiest
for you when preparing hot foods.
Bathroom
Bathtub: Want to take
a bath but have difficulty climbing over the side of the tub? Try
out a bathtub that has a swinging door, allowing you to walk straight
in and enjoy your bath—don’t forget
to close the door behind you!
Automatic faucets and
soap dispensers: You’ve probably seen
these at restaurants and shopping centers. Rather than turn on the
water or get soap with a handle, use the motion of your hands to
activate the faucet and soap dispenser.
Shower heads: To avoid getting the water too hot or too cold, use
a showerhead with an automatic temperature control. This safety feature
will keep your shower at the perfect temperature. Also, try using
a shower with a detachable head. This will allow you to control the
direction of the water without having to change your position.
Shower/Toilet rails: To aid in balance and safety, mount rails in
your shower and next to your toilet.
Heating lights: These automatic lights are great for people that
are frequently cold.
Bedroom
Electric bed: A control
allows you to raise and lower the height of your bed, making it
easier for you to get in and out.
Security system: The alarm will alert you to danger or problems
within your house or in the exterior of your home.
Heated mattress pads:
Rather than use an electric blanket, the heated mattress pad will
keep you nice and warm. And, it’s safer!
Rotating clothes hangers:
Not only will you be able to maximize your closet space, you’ll
also be able to access your clothes easier. With the push of a
button, your clothes rack rotates, allowing you to stay in one
spot.
Clothes tags for colors: These are great for people with vision
impairments. Each tag represents a different color and allows the
person to differentiate between articles of clothing.
Shure Hands Tracking System: This system allows for a person with
little to no independent mobility to move from one area of the house
to another without the use of a wheelchair. This track system carries
a hanging chair for the person to sit in and can go throughout the
entire house. It can raise and lower the person to and from different
rooms.
Wow, what a tour! And this
is only the surface of all of the environmental controls available!
The important thing to remember when choosing a device is your own
needs. You should choose the device that meets your needs, is within
your price range, and will function appropriately within your house.
Good luck and happy shopping!
Technology Resources
Able Data: www.AbleData.com
Tash: www.tashinc.com
Freedom of Speech: www.freedomofspeech.com
Smart home: www.SmartHome.com
X10: www.X10.com
Home Automation: www.makoa.org/ecu.htm
Dynamic Living: www.dynamic-living.com
Maxiaids: www.maxiaids.com
Private Door: www.privatedoor.com/ad/ad_overture.html
