This Ohio house lets people try accessible technology before bringing it home
Screenshot: Sunshine Communities
Sunshine Communities has opened a new Tech House in Maumee, Ohio, where people with developmental disabilities, families, caregivers, therapists, and other professionals can explore assistive technology in a realistic home environment.
Visitors can try smart-home and voice-activated devices, medication-management tools, safety supports, adaptive kitchen equipment, accessible computers, sensory supports, switches, and other technology for daily living.
The hands-on approach is important because assistive technology is rarely one-size-fits-all. A device that works beautifully for one person may be confusing, uncomfortable, or completely impractical for someone else. Letting people test tools in an actual kitchen, bedroom, or living area can help them make better decisions before spending money or changing their homes.
Sunshine can also bring selected demonstrations into the community for people who cannot visit the Tech House in person.
Brain-computer interface gives a man with ALS more control over communication
A brain-computer interface developed by researchers at UC Davis is allowing a man with ALS to communicate and operate a computer independently from home.
Casey Harrell has used the investigational system for more than 3,800 hours over nearly two years. The technology translates brain activity associated with attempted speech into text while also giving him control of a computer cursor.
Harrell has used it to communicate nearly two million words, send emails and messages, browse the internet, stay connected with family and friends, and continue working. In controlled testing, the system achieved more than 99% word accuracy, with an average communication speed of 56 words per minute.
The impressive accuracy matters, but the biggest advance may be independence. Harrell can use the system for hours without researchers being present to set it up or keep it running. That moves brain-computer interfaces closer to becoming practical assistive technology rather than something that works only during a carefully managed laboratory demonstration.
Custom orthotics could soon be made during a single appointment
Researchers in Wales have evaluated a new system that can produce custom foot orthotics during one clinical visit.
Kaydiar’s PROmorph technology uses a thermal-moulding process that forms the orthotic directly in a clinic. Traditional custom orthotics can require foot impressions, plaster casts, several manufacturing steps, and a return appointment weeks later. Waiting is rarely anyone’s favorite treatment plan.
During an independent study involving healthy participants, the PROmorph orthotics redistributed pressure across the foot while allowing natural walking patterns. Participants also rated them as more comfortable than traditional custom orthotics and standard insoles.
Faster, less expensive custom orthotics could eventually benefit people with chronic foot pain, mobility limitations, orthopedic conditions, diabetes-related pressure concerns, and other disabilities that affect walking or standing. However, the technology is still moving through evaluation, and more testing with clinical populations will be important before its full impact is known.
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