Assistive Technology to Enhance Safety and Organization
Home safety is a concern for any individual (Bryant & Bryant, 2003), however, if an individual cannot hear a smoke alarm, call for help, or open a door for an emergency exit, an entirely different and magnified level of concern exists. To truly live independently, one needs to be able to maintain their safety within a home setting. Many buildings, as a requirement, now use universal design elements such as alarms that include both a visual (flashing strobe lights) and auditory (loud noise) signal and automatic door openers as part of their safety systems. Speed dial functions on phones, because they allow for quick emergency contact, can also be considered a safety adaptation that promotes safe independent living. These alarm and exit options can also be easily incorporated into the home to promote independent living for people with physical, visual, or hearing disabilities.
Safety is more than just staying safe in emergency situations. Safety is also being able to take proper precautions to avoid emergency situations. This includes operating appliances properly and creating a safe home environment. AT products are also available to help in this manner. For someone with a visual impairment, manuals for home appliances are available in large print or Braille. Intercoms systems can also be used by people with visual impairments to screen people at the door without opening the door, potentially letting in a stranger. Blinking strobe light doorbells can also be installed to alert people with hearing impairments when someone is at the door. These types of devices as well as the alert and exit options previously discussed are integral in creating a safe independent living environment for people with various disabilities.
Managing time and money are essential independent living skills (Bryant and Bryant, 2003). Having organization skills allows a person to be precise with managing a budget, taking medicine on time, keeping appointments, and having a functional social, academic, and work agenda. Individuals with disabilities, especially visual and cognitive impairments, may struggle with this type of organization. Their visual impairments can cause difficulty seeing clocks or calendars or differentiating between bills in a wallet. Cognitive disabilities can effect a person's memory, creating a scenario where a lack of organization can lead to easily forgotten appointments or placement of important item such as medication. There are many AT devices designed to aid people with various disabilities remain organized. Many everyday devices, also have the added benefit (often unintentional) of being able to aid people with disabilities in the area of organization. These AT devices include:
- Money clips and organizers
- Large numbered alarm clocks
- Large key calculators
- Overlays that line up with necessary lines for writing checks
- Talking calculators, clocks, and watches
- Large printed time management books (agendas)
- Electronic time management systems
- Electronic currency readers
- Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s) equipped with reminder alarms
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| Flashing and amplified alarms are one example of how AT devices allow people with disabilities to live safely in and manage their own homes. |