TechSummit 2024: Tech Towards Tomorrow. SAVE THE DATE: August 16, 2024, 8:00am-4:00pm. Location: Marriott Columbus OSU. Keynote presenter: Stephen Sutter, President, Create Ability Concepts, Inc. Website: Go.osu.edu/TechSummit. Planned in partnership with The Ohio State University College of Engineering Assistive Technology of Ohio, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and The Ohio State University Nisonger Center.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT REMOTE SUPPORT, CLICK HERE
Smart Home Discovery Place
Remote Support
TechSummit

Technology Projects

For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        – IBM, 1991; p. 2

Source:  International Business Machines. (1991). Technology and persons with disabilities. Atlanta, GA: IBM Support Programs


The Technology Projects aim to promote and investigate technology solutions that enhance independence for people with developmental disabilities and related services. Technology Projects include:

Smart Home Discovery Place: A home-like environment provides individuals with developmental disabilities, their family members, and professionals an opportunity to experience technology and learn about ways that it might enhance one’s independence.

Annual TechSummit: The TechSummit is an annual one-day conference with a focus on technology use to promote independence for adults with developmental disabilities.

Research: Research interests include technology that enhances independence for people with developmental disabilities and related services, such as remote support or telehealth. Products resulting from this research include published journal articles, conference presentations and white papers. Publications can be found in the Resources tab above. To see information about our current research projects, follow the links below.

Using Remote Support Services Technology to Enhance Independent Living

Evaluation of Outcomes of the StationMD Pilot Study

 

PARTNERS

The Columbus FoundationColeman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities

 

 

Ohio DD Council Logo

 

For more information contact:

Jordan B. Wagner
Project Manager, Technology Projects
Tel: (614-688-3155)
Introduction

Fox and Boyles conducted a study in which they discovered only 54% of individuals with a disability use the internet compared with 81% of individuals who do not identify having a disability (Fox & Boyles, 2012). What this illustrates is that having a disability may be a contributing factor that prevents one from having access to technology. It reveals a need to involve those with disabilities in navigating technological advancement for their own advantage.

Technology has influenced the lives of nearly everyone in one manner or another. Most of us take it for granted, perhaps not even noticing the extent to which our everyday activities are either completely reliant upon technological advancement or have just been made significantly easier. Often, technology is developed in a way in which persons with developmental disabilities are excluded from the digital environment. In an age where every year we are more integrated into a global digital society, it is imperative that people with developmental disabilities are not left behind. If people with disabilities cannot utilize the technology others take for granted then they will be left disenfranchised from the way in which society will operate in the future.

Not only is there a need for technology to become more accessible and available for those who have a disability, there is an opportunity to use technology to help promote a more inclusive and independent life for people with developmental disabilities. Currently, in Ohio alone, over 90,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive supports from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). In recent years, technological advancement has provided an opportunity for supported living services to become, in many ways, less intrusive and promote independence.

One such advance is the use of remote support to provide similar services to those offered by direct support professionals from a distance through the use of technology. Rather than receiving support from someone in the home, a comparable assistance is provided from someone at a different location outside of the home. The remote support rule defines this as the monitoring of an individual in his or her home by using one or more of the following systems: live audio feed, sensor technology, radio frequency identification, web-based monitoring system, video feed, or other devices. The system includes devices to engage in live two-way communication with the individual receiving services as described in the Individual Service Plan. While remote support is available as an alternative to having staff in the home for many people, at present only a small fraction of those who qualify take advantage of this service.

What is the Technology Project?

The Technology Project aims to investigate technology solutions, including remote support, to promote independence for people with developmental disabilities and their families, create a vision for how the use of technology may be improved and expanded upon, and identify technological advances that might benefit people with developmental disabilities by increasing their independence.

Activities

Research: The Technology Project has contributed to published journal articles and a white paper.

Smart Home Discovery Place: A replica one-bedroom apartment provides individuals with developmental disabilities, their family members, and professionals an opportunity to experience technology and learn about ways that it might enhance one’s independence before purchasing.

Annual TechSummit: The TechSummit is an annual one-day conference with a focus on technology use to promote independence for adults with developmental disabilities.

What are examples of independence promoting technologies?

The technology sought by the Technology Project does NOT include ALL assistive technology. The technologies of interest help someone with a developmental disability to experience greater independence and do more on their own, often reducing one’s reliance on the need for direct-support staff. Some examples include, but are not limited to:

Home safety:

  • Connected technology that will deactivate (range when smoke is detected) or activate (engaging a locking mechanism when one leaves the house) to reduce risk of fires or burglary
  • Sensors that can identify when a meal has cooled to an appropriate temperature; etc.
  • If This Then That technologies that will engage lights when someone exits their bed at night

Health technology:

  • Medication dispensers;
  • Telehealth;
  • Technologies that gather health data for better communication with caregivers and physicians

Independent travel solutions:

  • Travel applications that prompt someone when to get off of the bus;
  • Watches that will send GPS coordinates to a trusted contact;
  • Cars that drive themselves;

Independent task completion

  • Voice assistants;
  • Image and video supported guided direction applications;
  • Reminder Applications

There are many more examples of technologies that would fit this category.

Conclusion

Technology has already shaped the way we communicate and live. With the rapid introduction of autonomous cars, the internet of things, virtual and augmented reality, and wearable technology, the digital landscape is frequently changing and technology is increasingly incorporated into aspect of our daily activities. The new landscape has potential to be a practical and beneficial alteration. It is an exciting time – one in which people with developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to live more independent and socially engaged lives.

The Ohio State University is a leader in technological innovation and research and is well equipped to research the benefits of technology use for people with developmental disabilities.

Partners

  • The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
  • Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
  • Assistive Technology of Ohio
  • The Ohio State University, Nisonger Center – University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Project Team

Jordan Wagner, Technology Project Coordinator.

Marc J. Tassé, Ph.D., Project PI.

References

Fox, Susannah, and Jan Lauren Boyles. 2012. Disability in the Digital Age. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center. http://www.pewinternet.org/2012/08/06/disability-in-the-digital-age/.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Jordan B. Wagner
Coordinator, Technology Project
Tel.: (614) 688-3155 Office

Technology Project resources

Podcasts

ACCESS division 33: Episode about remote support research conducted at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center

Listen here: http://www.division33.org/podcast


Videos

BridgingApps video series Personal Wellness & Self-Care Apps includes 20 apps that can help care for your physical health by providing user-friendly ways to things like track activity and nutrition intake, connect you to friends to be challenged and stay motivated, organize and manage your medications, and even journal your progress; whether your goal is to maintain or improve your physical health.

Thanks to supportive technology throughout her apartment, Elizabeth from Franklin County doesn’t always need a provider around to support her. She uses different types of Assistive Technology, such as a stove that turns off by itself and a keyless entry device to get inside, which allows her to feel safe and in control of what she does at home.

Renee Wood uses technology to assist her with everyday tasks such as turning the lights on and off and creating a grocery list. Watch the video below to hear her perspective on technology use!

The Coleman Institute of Cognitive disabilities created the Declaration of Rights of People with Cognitive Disabilities to Technology and Information Access. The video below details this declaration. The declaration can be signed by following this link: https://www.colemaninstitute.org/declaration/.

Todd Stabelfeldt uses technology to increase independence in and out of the home. Watch this video to see how Todd uses everything from voice control to a connected home to promote independence in his own life.

Originally for the 2008 Coleman Conference on Smart Home technology and personal support technology, this video, released before the iPad was introduced, is often cited as a positive vision for the way in which technology could be used to promote independence for individuals with developmental disabilities. While not all of the technology existed at the time, nearly all of it exists today. Here is a breakdown of the technology in the film and what some examples may be: http://www.ablelinktech.com.* 

SOCOG’s Mobile Smart Home


Website Links

BridgingApps: A resource to find and learn how to use apps

DODD services: Assistive Technology

DODD services: Waiver Remote Support


Documents

2018 Technology Project: Scope of Work

Executive Summary – White Paper: Use of Remote Support in Ohio and Emerging Technologies on the Horizon

Remote Support

Remote Support fact sheet

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities One-Page guide to remote support

Transportation Technology

MI-DDI Autonomous Vehicle Project White Paper

The Ruderman White Paper: Self-Driving Cars: The Impact on People with Disabilities


Publications

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)

Remote Support

Electronic Video Monitoring in Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waivers for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2017)

The arguments against camera and closed-circuit television surveillance in the homes of people with disabilities to protect from abuse and neglect (2017)

The Experiences of people with dementia and intellectual disabilities with serveillance technologies in residential care (2015)

The place of surveillance technology in residential care for people with intellectual disabilities: is there an ideal model of application (2013)

Ethics of using assistive technology in the care for community-dwelling elderly people: An overview of the literature (2011)

Standard care and telecare services: comparing the effectiveness of two service systems with consumers with intellectual disabilities (2010)

Safety assessment of a home-based telecare system for adults with developmental disabilities in Indiana: a multi-stakeholder perspective (2010)

Health technology

BridgingApps: Personal Wellness & Self-Care Apps

Wearable Technology

Designing a Wearable Technology Intervention to Support Young Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Inclusive Postsecondary Academic Environments (2018)

Transportation Technology

Technology to Support Transportation Needs Assessment , Training, and Pre-Trip Planning by People with Intellectual Disability (2019)

Miscellaneous 

Self-Report Computer-Based Survey of Technology Use by People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2012)


*The Ohio State University Nisonger Center does not endorse any specific company or organization*

Technology First
On May 24th, Governor Kasich signed an executive order to make Ohio a Technology First state. Modeled after Employment First, a Technology First state is dedicated to the adoption and promotion of technology options that may be used to better someone’s life.
As a part of this executive order, a Technology Fist Council was created. After 6 monthly meetings, a Final Report was created with Benchmarks. That document can be found below along with a couple related videos.
Image Ohio Technology First Council

Videos of the Technology First Council sessions can be found below.

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Other Technology First States

March 28, 2019

Ohio was the first Technology First state. Other states have also shown interest in becoming a Technology First State. Read about the Technology First trend in the U.S. here: Are you in a ‘Technology First’ State? What Does That Mean?

Smart Homes
Often, technology can assist someone to live with greater independence. However, without personally experiencing the technology, it can be hard to find the right equipment or imagine how these technologies could affect one’s life. Throughout Ohio, organizations have developed smart homes to increase the awareness and understanding of individuals with developmental disabilities, their family members as well as providers who support them about smart home technologies and other related resources that may be a viable solution for their everyday support needs and might help them to live with greater independence. 
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center’s Smart Home Discovery Place is an example of one of these environments; located in Columbus, Ohio, on Ohio State’s campus someone can experience technology BEFORE it’s purchased or used in the home.
Smart Homes around Ohio:
News

Current Events

0702/2023: Podcast episode about remote support research

ACCESS Division 33 is the official podcast of Division 33 of the American Psychological Association. In each episode, a member of our Division is interviewed, discussing their work and why it is important to the lives of individuals with IDD and ASD and those who support them. In this episode, Dr. Marc. J Tassé (Ohio State University) discusses his research on remote support services and the benefits of technology for promoting independence in community living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (12m)

Division 33 Websitehttp://www.division33.org/podcast

Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e13-remote-support-services-with-dr-marc-j-tass%C3%A9/id1458775076?i=1000619086588

ACCESS Division 33 podcast is also available wherever you usually get your podcasts.

 

05/01/2023: Registration opens for TechSummit 2023

Register hereTechsummit Information, boy with VR headset image

03/01/2023: Expanding the Use of Remote Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: An Interdisciplinary Working Group Report

Recognizing the potential of accelerating widespread adoption of remote support services, an expert working group consisting of academic researchers, the president of a large disability rights advocacy organization, and a senior executive of an organization that advocates for service providers, was invited to evaluate the role of remote support services in serving those with intellectual disability and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) and their families. Read the whole White Paper here: expanding-the-use-of-remote-supports-whitepaper

02/20/2023: SAVE THE DATE: TechSummit 2023

08/02/2022: New ‘smart’ apartments give people with disabilities ability to live independently

North Coast Community Homes and Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities provide a venue to test smart home equipment in Lakewood, OH. Watch the ABC new story here: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/new-smart-apartments-give-people-with-disabilities-ability-to-live-independently

06/02/2022:  TechSummit 2022: Registration opens & Keynote speaker announced

KEYNOTE

Tom Keating, PhD: Founder & CEO of Cognitopia

Cognitopia Suite of Applications For Support at Work, at Home, & in the Community

From smart home and assistive technologies to independent transportation options, this event offers attendees a chance to learn about different kinds of current and emerging technology options to support people with developmental disabilities who want more independence in their lives.

04/12/2022: SAVE THE DATE: TechSummit 2022

TechSummit is an annual conference with a focus on technology as it relates to developmental disabilities.

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, in partnership with Assistive Technology of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, present TechSummit 2022 – an in-person event conveniently held in central Ohio. At this event attendees can hear from experts, hear from individuals who have adopted technology solutions, and explore technology solutions for themselves. We encourage you to mark your calendars for this exciting event

SAVE THE DATE Event: TechSummit 2022: Embracing the future. Date: August 12, 2022 Venue: Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel Address: 409 Altair Pkwy, Westerville, OH 43082 Time: 8:00AM-4:00PM. Conducted in partnership with Assistive Technology of Ohio, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, and The Ohio State University Nisonger Center. Hear from families, Hear from experts, explore technology solutions. embrace the future. For the most up to date information visit: go.osu.edu/nisongertech

02/16/2022: Director Kim Hauck and Deputy Director Steve Beha tour technology solutions at Smart Home Discovery Place

The Smart Home Discovery Place at Nisonger Center offers tours of technology solutions that are either tailored to the tour participants or generalized for group tours. on February 16, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities’ Director Kim Hauck and Deputy Director Steve Beha participated in a tour at the Smart Home Discovery Place.

06/02/2021: Autonomous Vehicle Project releases White Paper

A study was conducted by the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute (MI-DDI) to gain a better understanding of how Autonomous Vehicles (AV) can be used to meet the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities. More about this study and the related White Paper can be found here: https://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=15441&id=17

09/09/2020: AIDD adopts statement about internet access and technology 

On September 9, 2020, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) adopted a position statement about internet access and technology. The statement details several reasons why internet access and technology are important for all people, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The statement cites benefits including vocational trainings and opportunities, access to safety notifications, and enhanced health and independence resulting from health monitoring and access to support when needed. Many barriers have served to reduce internet access, including prohibitive costs for people with IDD, whose income often falls below the poverty line. Additionally, access to fast and consistent internet remains unavailable in many parts of the country.

The statement proposes 11 best practice considerations for promoting technology use and internet access. Read the statement here: https://www.aaidd.org/news-policy/policy/position-statements/technology-and-internet-access.

9/9/2020

On September 9, 2020, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) adopted a position statement about internet access and technology. The statement details several reasons why internet access and technology are important for all people, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The statement cites benefits including vocational trainings and opportunities, access to safety notifications, and enhanced health and independence resulting from health monitoring and access to support when needed. Many barriers have served to reduce internet access, including prohibitive costs for people with IDD, whose income often falls below the poverty line. Additionally, access to fast and consistent internet remains unavailable in many parts of the country.

The statement proposes 11 best practice considerations for promoting technology use and internet access. Read the statement here: https://www.aaidd.org/news-policy/policy/position-statements/technology-and-internet-access.

6/23/2020

The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) web article, Remote Support For People With Disabilities, offers an introduction to remote support and proposes some considerations when deciding whether remote support is right for you or a loved one. Read the post here: Remote Support For People With Disabilities: Inside the implementation of technologies and the ethical implications for people receiving services.

6/12/2020

“The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 13… that helps expand broadband across Ohio… Nearly one million Ohioans lack a reliable internet connection and about 300,000 households have no broadband options whatsoever.” Read about the bill here: Ohio House passes broadband expansion legislation

5/20/2020

“For many people, voice assistants… offer [ease]. For people with Down syndrome, it can be life-changing technology.” Canadian Down Syndrome society initiated a collaboration with Google to train their voice assist to better understand the speech of individuals with down syndrome: CNET – Tech Enabled

11/1/2019

Tennessee resident, Anita, uses technology to help her work and live independently. Read about her story here: Breaking Ground 99: More Independence at Work for Anita Through Technology. Tennessee is one of many States to follow Ohio’s lead to become a Technology First State.

9/18/2019

A lack of internet access means a lack of access to job applications, resources, and services that can help to promote independence, like remote support. For individuals with disabilities, Comcast is pursuing some creative solutions to this difficulty: CNET – Tech Enabled

Technology First Announcement

ABC 6 | NBC4i | CW Channel 2 | Columbus Dispatch | Toledo Blade | Cleveland.com

Remote Support News

From ‘remote’ to realistic shot – Sandusky Register

http://fox8.com/2017/04/27/ohio-one-of-first-states-to-experiment-with-video-monitoring-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities/

 

 
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