REMOTE SUPPORT RESEARCH STUDY

USING REMOTE SUPPORT SERVICES TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE INDEPENDENT LIVING

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center

NIDILRR Field Initiated Projects Program Research Study

Aim: The aim of this 3-year research study is to assess the effectiveness of using remote support services technologies in the home on enhancing independent living, participation, self-determination, and quality of life. Here are a few examples of remote support services technologies: door safety sensors; motion sensors, two-way video communication devices; and safety cameras.

Objectives: Recruit N=250 adults with ID/DD, including n=100 adults in our Intervention Group who will be adults who use (a) same-as-usual ID/DD waiver services in the community PLUS also use (b) remote supports services technologies (a defined Home and Community-Based Services waiver service) and n=150 adults in our Control Group who will use only (a) same-as-usual ID/DD waiver services in the community. We will use the National Core Indicators (NCI) In-Person survey (IPS) to assess and compare relevant outcomes of the participants in our Intervention Group to that of the participants in our Control Group.

Outcomes: The anticipated outcomes for adults with ID/DD in our Intervention Group (i.e., using remotes support services technologies) will have measurably increased or higher: (a) independence, (b) privacy, (c) home-living autonomy, (d) participation, (e) satisfaction with supports/services, and (f) overall quality of life.

Products: The expected products from this research study include the empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of remote support services technologies, preparation of outreach materials, and information dissemination to stakeholders in “plain language,” stakeholder presentations of findings, conference presentations, and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

RESEARCH QUESTION:

What is the effectiveness of remote support services technologies when used by adult Ohioans with ID/DD with respect to enhancing community living and participation outcomes, including:
• independent living,
• safety,
• participation,
• self-determination,
• social life,
• satisfaction with services, and
• overall quality of life.

PARTICIPANTS:

1. Intervention Group will consist of 100 adults with ID/DD who use same-as-usual HCBS waiver services PLUS also are using remote support services in their home and have done so for at least one year. We will first identify and recruit individuals to be part of the Intervention Group (n=100) from the universe of individuals who are currently using remote support services and have been doing so for at last 1 year.
2. Control Group will consist of 150 adults with ID/DD who use same-as-usual HCBS waiver services but do not use remote support services technologies. We will draw our Control Group (n=150) from the existing Ohio NCI adult in-person survey dataset collected during the most recent year of NCI data collection (2021-2022: total of N~500) as follows:
   1. we will select this group to be comparable to the Intervention Group on chronological age (mean & standard deviation).
   2. type of residential home (e.g., individual/family home, 2 or 3-person group home, > 3-person group home).
   3. severity level of disability (e.g., mild, moderate, severe, and profound ID) and/or level of care/acuity.

RESEARCH TEAM:

Marc J. Tassé, PhD (Principal Investigator)
Rebecca R. Andridge, PhD (Co-Investigator)
Jordan B. Wagner, BA (Project Manager)
Christine Brown (Clinical Research Assistant)
John L. Martin, MA (Consultant)

For more information, contact:

Jordan B. Wagner
Project Manager, Technology Projects

Email: Jordan.Wagner@osumc.edu

Tel: (614) 688-3155

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), as part of the Field Initiated Projects with a financial assistance award totaling $600,000 over 3 years with 100% of the study funding coming from ACL/NIDILRR. The comments of the author(s) and project team members do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/NIDILRR, or the U.S. Government.

REMOTE SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY

There cannot be an exhaustive list of possible technology used for remote support. The technology used is unique for each individual and can be customized. Below we have included 4 technologies that are commonly included for remote support services.

To be eligible to participate in this study, at least 2-way video communication must be included in remote support services.

2-way video communication: 2-way video communication provides the ability to communicate with remote support staff face to face over a screen.

Motion detectors: A motion detector may be used to notify remote support staff when someone has entered an area where support may be needed.

Window and door sensors: Sometimes referred to as open/close sensors, this technology will identify when a window or door has been opened or closed which can help identify whether someone has entered or exited the home.

Camera: Cameras can help by providing visual information to a remote support staff who may use the video to help identify who is entering and exiting the home, help someone read their mail, or confirm which medication is being taken.

RESOURCES

Links

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities – Memo Monday: DODD and OSU Nisonger Center Joint Research project

Technology Project Publications

Expanding the Use of Remote Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: An Interdisciplinary Working Group Report (2023)

Implementation of remote support services Pre‐COVID‐19 – JPPID (2022)

Using Technology and Remote Support Services to Promote Independent Living of Adults with Intellectual Disability and Related Developmental Disabilities (2020)

Technology Tools: Increasing Our Reach in National Surveillance of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2019)

White Paper: Use of Remote Support in Ohio and Emerging Technologies on the Horizon (2018)