11 Helpful Smart Home Devices For People With Disability
2023-08-25
Smart home technology has revolutionized the way we interact with our living spaces, allowing better control over devices, thus enhance convenience and improve the quality of life. When setting up a smart home for disabled people, improving accessibility and independence are prioritized. With that in mind, we will look into 11 must-have smart home devices designed specifically for people with disabilities, addressing their challenges faced at home.
Challenges Faced By Disabled Individuals
Living with disabilities presents different challenges on a daily basis, thus many need constant support and care from caregivers, family and friends. Common disabilities include learning difficulties, hearing impairments and limited mobility, all of which required customized solutions. For example, people with limited eyesight may have difficulty in using home appliances like upright vacuums, leading to safety concern as they may trip over objects or bump into furniture and walls. With the help of smart vacuums, which can navigate the room, vacuum and mop the floor automatically, users can enjoy an enhanced living environment.
Smart home technology assists people with physical challenges in many ways, from improving safety, accessibility and overall quality of life, organizing daily activities to keeping in touch with their loved ones. Mostly importantly, it empowers them to be more self-sufficient.
Smart Vacuum Cleaners For Disabled
As one of the most popular smart home appliances, robotic vacuum cleaners are particularly user-friendly for people with disabilities for the following reasons.
Smart Navigation
Robot floor cleaners use different methods to navigate, including optical cameras and laser sensors. This allows them to plan the most efficient cleaning route, avoid obstacles and recognize debris for thorough cleaning. While some models that take a bump-and-turn method may cause damage to furniture and walls, premier models like our DEEBOT series utilize TrueMapping system to navigate with precision and prevent potential damages.
Voice Control
Simply use voice control to activate the cleaning procedure is very helpful especially for those with limited mobility. This feature can be used when you would like to clean the floor outside the preset cleaning schedules, such as after someone has visited.
Self-operating
Robotic vacuum cleaners are designed to work independently with minimal manual help. They can navigate the space, clean the floor and return to the docking station all by themselves. A vacuum and mop combo is highly recommended for people with mobility challenges since they can do dual tasks at once. Some advanced models even came with auto-empty stations that can empty the debris into a large dustbin, reducing the need for frequent emptying.
Set Cleaning Schedules
To maintain a clean floor at home, you can prescribe cleaning schedules on automatic vacuums. This feature enhances safety for those using wheelchairs or crutches by preventing them from tripping over objects and slipping on slippery floor. Automatic vacuum cleaners with quiet mode and laser navigation, such as our DEEBOT T20 OMNI and X1 OMNI, can operate in low-light conditions, perfect for regular nighttime cleaning.
Efficient Filtration System
Smart vacuum cleaners often feature advanced filtration systems that efficiently improve air quality by capturing dust, allergens, and pet hair.
Automatic Charging
After completing the cleaning procedure, robot floor cleaners will return to the docking station for automatic charging, ensuring they are ready for the next cleaning session.
Multifunctional Cleaning
A vacuum and mop combo allows the robot vacuum to vacuum and mop in one go, further deep cleaning the floor and automating one more house chores.
Lightweight And Wireless Design
Smart vacuums are usually lightweight, making it easy to pick them up if they get stuck. Their wireless design also prevents accidents such as tripping over cables around the house.
Other Smart Home Devices For Individuals With Disabilities
Individuals with disabilities can benefit from smart home devices in many ways. Whether you are a caregiver, health professional, or simply looking to improve your loved one’s quality of life, here are 11 helpful smart home devices to create an automated home system.
Smart Voice Assistants:
People with limited mobility and eyesight rely on others on daily tasks like turning on/off lights and answering the door. With smart speakers like Amazon Echo with Alexa and Google Home with Google Assistant, they can now give voice commands to perform such tasks independently. These smart speakers also help on other tasks such as setting reminders and making calls.
Smart Hubs:
A smart hub, typically an app, acts as a control center for smart homes. When connected to smart devices like smart bulbs and AC systems, people with special needs can remotely control and monitor them through a single interface without help from others.
Smart Smoke Detector:
Sensors such as smart smoke detectors can monitor smoke and carbon monoxide levels, addressing safety concern. In case of emergency, they will automatically trigger sirens and voice alerts, while notifying the caregivers on the phone. They also allow users to disable the alert on the app, if all you were doing was simply cooking steaks.
Smart Lighting with Motion Sensors:
Another helpful sensor is smart lighting with motion sensors. Especially when you need to use the bathroom at night, motion sensors reduce the need for physical switches. They also save on energy bill, as they automatically turn off when no activity is detected.
Motorized Blinds & Curtains:
Similar to smart lighting, motorized blinds and curtains can be controlled easily via an app or voice control, making it much easier for those with limited mobility or dexterity to use. Not only does it reduce their reliance on others, but it also helps protect privacy.
Smart Door Locks With Keyless Entry:
Answering the door can be a challenge for people with limited mobility. With smart locks, their built-in cameras allow users to see who’s at the door before answering, and they can unlock the door remotely, increasing security and convenience around the house. Most smart locks also feature keyless entry, using passcodes or fingerprint/face recognition instead, therefore caregivers and family members can check on them without needing a physical key.
Smart Door Sensors:
On top of smart locks, smart door sensors can be placed around the house to promote security and save energy. When a door, window, or cabinet is opened, the sensors will trigger a phone alert. This is particularly helpful for people with limited hearing ability as the alerts can be displayed on phones or tablets. These sensors also remind you when the fridge door was not closed properly.
Smart Thermostats:
Before implementing smart technology, temperature was mostly controlled manually with a remote, which could be difficult to reach at times for people with limited mobility. With smart thermostats, they can now use an app or voice control to manage the temperature remotely. Users can also set schedules according to their daily routines. Moreover, they use sensors to adjust the temperature, ensuring the house always stays at a comfortable level regardless of the weather outside.
Smart Home Cameras:
Smart home cameras are important safety measures. Not only can users monitor the situation around the house, but caregivers can also check on people with disabilities when they are away, giving a peace of mind to both disable people and their caregivers.
Smart Appliance Attachments:
Devices like smart plugs and smart outlets with voice control compatibility can upgrade conventional appliances such as fans and toasters into voice-controlled ones. This helps you to manage power usage and switch off appliances that may be consuming electricity while on standby.
Smart Medical Alerts:
Smart medical alerts can be life-saving for individual with disabilities. Common features such as fall detectors can alert caregivers or emergency services when the user falls. Voice assistants can also recognize phrases like “I need help” and contact emergency services immediately.
One pro-tip when creating a smart home for disabled individuals, especially those with limited mobility, is to consider using smart home installation services. Most reputable retailers provide such services, ensuring proper installation. They offer aftercare services in case of any issues as well.
FAQ
What is essential smart home technology for disabled people?
People with mobility challenges struggle with simple tasks that require physical reach, such as turning lights on/off. With smart home technology, they are able to manage and control smart devices remotely via an app or voice control.
How does home automation help people with disabilities?
Home automation automates tasks like vacuuming and gives people with special needs better control over smart home appliances, therefore a cleaner and safer living environment. It also significantly reduces the needs to rely on others, promoting independence, accessibility and meanwhile, keeping them connected with their caregivers and family. Smart home technology can be integrated with healthcare systems and emergency services in case of emergencies.
How do I turn a home into an accessible smart home?
Start by setting up a secured Wi-Fi network, then connect all your smart devices into a central control hub, usually an app or voice assistant, allowing you to manage them remotely on your phone or tablets. If you have any issues installing smart devices, it is always recommended to seek installation services from reputable retailers.
