Empowering independence for Pittsburgh’s elderly and disabled community with tech

Technology often makes lives better, faster, more convenient, safer — and more exciting. 

But there is also an entire population in our communities today that needs the same technology to simply make their lives possible. 

In Pittsburgh alone, that population includes an estimated 60,000 adults living with disabilities and a population of 44,500 adults over 65 years old. Expanding the local view to include all of Allegheny County, 378,500 people identify as having a disability, with  350,500 aged 65 and older. 

For these individuals, the eventual goal is for technology to also make their lives better, faster, more convenient and so on. But first, it needs to be put to work in a way that empowers them to live as independently as possible. 

From there, independence opens endless possibilities for utilizing technology to bring more into their lives, from greater convenience and fun to meaningful social interactions. This process is what assistive technology is all about. 

To understand the power of assistive technology, think of the process for a takeout dinner. You call or go online, place your order and wait for delivery. The driver rings your doorbell, you answer, pay them, take your food to the table and enjoy. 

It’s not that simple for someone who lacks the motor skills to dial a phone or use a computer keyboard. Answering the door can be challenging for people with limited mobility, or a senior unable to locate the hall light switch may fall before reaching the door. Even enjoying that food can be a struggle for someone lacking the adapted fork, bowl or spoon they may need to eat independently. 

However, assistive technology can break through these barriers and make life easier. From software enabling voice-activated website capabilities to 3D-printed utensils that operate on a pivot for people who cannot turn their wrists, anything is possible.

I experience these incredible possibilities becoming a reality almost daily as part of the team at Inglis Assistive Tech Solutions (IATS) where we work to support people with technology-based solutions for their everyday lives. 

Assistive technology for safety, independence and better health

Assistive technology has a vast scope in terms of what it can do and how, where, why and for whom.

Assistive technology is any low, mid, or high-tech tool, piece of equipment, software program, or system used to increase, maintain or improve a person’s ability to navigate their world. 

Take for example, Stephen, a 60-year-old Allegheny County resident our team recently engaged with and continues to support. 

Among his multiple diagnoses are cerebral palsy, dyslexia and visual impairment. Stephen shared that reading and typing have been some of his biggest issues. 

We introduced several pieces of tech into Stephen’s home to help:

• Dragon, a voice-to-text technology, so he no longer needs to rely on others to type his messages
• OrCam artificial vision devices to enable him to read
• And smart-home equipment operable by voice command. 

With the independence Stephen has gained through these devices and others, he can work toward post-secondary education or employment. 

Assistive technology takes many other shapes, too.

Smart lighting in hallways, vision magnifiers and voice-activated emergency calls can all make an environment safer. Increasing security in a living environment while also making it easier to navigate without accidents helps people maintain their independence. 

It can also decrease reliance on caregivers by enabling an individual to choose to do actions on their own, such as turning on music using voice recognition software or online grocery ordering.

In turn, assistive tech can lead to better physical and mental health outcomes. It lets people schedule appointments or make telehealth visits as needed, for their own physical and mental wellbeing. 

Beyond a healthcare setting, the tech allows people to connect with friends, family, support networks and even online gaming to help prevent isolation and depression and increase happiness and self-esteem. 

But affordability is key to assistive technology driving greater independence. 

Something as simple as enlarging the type on an iPad for someone with visual impairment, which has no cost other than time to educate, can make a major difference in a person’s life.

Future innovation relies on a proactive approach

Beyond equipping a home with tools and software, successful assistive technology must consider individual needs and longevity. 

The first step is to identify what individuals need and want to live their best life. Then, define what can be done most affordably and make it fit for the person, environment and goals. 

It’s important to toss aside any notion of a “one size fits all” approach. 

For example, in any given family, one grandmother may drive and take daily power walks, while the other needs a walker to get around. One grandfather may play the piano expertly while the other has such severe arthritis that he cannot even open a can of pop. Needs vary from person to person. 

Once a tailored plan is in place, training and supporting digital literacy allow the users to optimize devices and use them easily and safely. If a person is knowledgeable about and comfortable with technology in their home, they are more likely to use it and, in fact, embrace it as part of their everyday life.

Still, achieving all the goals of assistive technology takes a village. This should include families, caregivers, therapists and other professionals who offer their own unique set of skills, insights and client relationships to support each other’s mutual efforts

The support for assistive technology needs to be ongoing. In other words, we need to ensure that no person is left behind with technology. 

Pittsburgh is a hub of innovation driving rapid change and growth. Contact must be continual as updates or potentially new device options emerge to help ensure as their community grows, so do their capabilities.

Every person has parents or seniors they care about or know someone with a disability, which makes every person a resource for being a partner in the mission to support independence and dignity for people throughout the region. 

It starts with sharing your knowledge of just how much assistive technology can do to support greater freedom, safety and happiness, then encouraging the people you care about to embrace the possibilities.