Research to find ‘missing link’ in home tech for people with disabilities

An innovative University of the Sunshine Coast study aims to find the "missing link" in home-based smart technologies to enable people with spinal cord and brain injuries to live more independently.

The researchers are investigating how people living with these injuries in their own homes can better integrate their specialist technologies with the plethora of smart and automated devices now becoming more available and affordable.

Associate Professor Michele Verdonck and a UniSC student demonstrate the occupational therapy facilities on campus at Sippy Downs

A UniSC team led by Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy Dr Michele Verdonck has received more than $150,000 in funding from the National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland (NIISQ Agency) towards the two-year project, now underway.

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Smart speaker, please integrate my devices

"I've spent more than a decade researching people's use of assistive technologies in their home environments and daily activities but recent improvements in mainstream access to smart tech and home automation is opening up exciting new options for quality of life," Associate Professor Verdonck said.

"Voice-controlled personal assistants like Alexa, Google Home, and Siri can be integrated with other smart technologies such as cameras, air conditioning, door openers, pet feeders and even sensors that monitor the health and wellbeing of the home occupant, remotely and unobtrusively.

"However, while people with disabilities are using mainstream home technologies for a variety of needs, little is known about the types of smart tech they're using, the barriers to integration, or how the combination can be more user friendly.

"Integrating different technologies from specialist to off-the-shelf is not simple. There are no best practice standards or evidence-based guidelines, and it can complicate funding supports." This is very topical at the moment with funding bodies like the NDIS no longer funding everyday technologies such as tablet computers when these are considered a lifestyle related day- to-day living cost.

Associate Professor Verdonck is co-leading the study with Professor Jacquie Ripat, based in Canada, and UniSC academics Dr Katharina Merollini (health economics), Dr Dana Dermody (nursing) and Dr Bridie Kean, a public health expert and former Paralympian in wheelchair basketball.

Inclusive research from co-design to results

"This study is innovative because people with disabilities are involved as researchers and as participants from start to finish, from co-design to sharing findings," Dr Verdonck said.

An initial UniSC study with 30 participants has grown into a community of practice including people with disabilities, families, equipment suppliers, occupational therapists and engineers.

"Our preliminary investigations show that people who have succeeded in combining both specialist assistive and everyday technologies for their individual circumstances are eager to share their insights to help others, and people who are newly injured want to know more about their options."

NIISQ General Manager Gaenor Walker reiterated the importance of the project to improve the independence of the assistive technology users.

"Having participants and people living with disability involved each step of the way means that not only are we understanding the different smart tech options available, we are also gaining excellent insight into what other people in the scheme will be able to use successfully in the future," Ms Walker said.

"It is our hope that by better understanding the features and benefits of available assistive and mainstream technologies, people living with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries will have improved wellbeing and quality of life."

Injured ex-teacher embraces latest tech mix

Joanna Fowler, a former school teacher who became a quadriplegic in a backyard fall in 2010, has joined the UniSC team as a research assistant.

Ms Fowler, who taught chemistry and always loved technology, has adopted as many devices as possible over the past 14 years to live independently with her husband Michael in their Brisbane home.

Research assistant and participant Joanna Fowler has combined latest technologies at her home

She became involved in the study to both share her experiences and help find new ways to improve technology adaptation and integration for the benefit of other people with disabilities.

"The iPad had just been invented when I had my accident, and the first time I used one was in hospital," she said.

"I was in a wheelchair trying to read books on the iPad but it was difficult to use the page turner with no feeling below my neck.

"Michael found screen mounts and sourced a mouth stylus and then, with the aid of occupational therapists and a handyman, we tailor-made bracket holders. Then I was finishing a book every two days!"

Next came smart phones with speakers, Control4 home automation and recently Google and Alexa connectivity.

"Voice control has made a massive difference to our lives," she said. "I can change TV channels, open and close curtains and blinds, turn lights on and off, and open, shut and lock doors.

"You don't think of the little things until you're in this position. Before, if I was lying in bed I'd have to make sure the door was ajar to shout to my husband or a carer if I needed something. Now I send a text. If I built a house from scratch and money was no object, I'd have it all hardwired to avoid the glitches."

Ms Fowler said she had been holidaying on the Sunshine Coast last year when she found out about the UniSC research and signed up.

"The study gives me a sense of purpose," she said. "It's important to let people know what technology is available. If they're scared to try new things, they may not realise the freedom it can bring. I forget how much more independence and confidence I have now compared to 10 years ago."

Dr Verdonck said the ultimate goal of the research was to produce key principles to inform a set of guidelines for technology-enabled homes to assist people with spinal cord and brain injuries.