The Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) has launched a new website, "Smart Homes Made Simple," positioned as a hub of information where members of the disability and aging communities, as well as service providers, housing professionals, and technology consultants, can learn how to integrate smart home technology into the homes of people with disabilities and older adults for greater independence, autonomy, safety, and accessibility.

"We are aware that many people with disabilities and older adults who could benefit from smart home technology are still not acquiring it," said PATF’s CEO, Susan Tachau. "If there’s one thing we hope people will take away from this website, it’s that you don’t have to do this alone and you don’t have to do it all at once. New technology can be scary and overwhelming. Build your team for support, explore what devices may be able to help with your goals, and start small. There’s always room for growth."

The site is easy to navigate and offers robust resources. Users are invited to "choose your goal" from among seven broad categories: communication, entertainment, remote supports from a caregiver, telehealth/health monitoring, controlling the environment, personal assistant/organization/productivity, and safety/security. Those unsure of how they would use the technology can take a self-assessment.

The site also provides "success stories" that users may relate to and an overview of common uses of smart home devices. 

To access the new website, visit https://smarthomesmadesimple.org/

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