If you were to envisage the NDIS landscape in ten years’ time, what would it look like? Maybe it’s a world where communication barriers crumble, daily tasks become a breeze, and independence flourishes. For many NDIS participants, this future is already taking shape thanks to the transformative power of assistive technology (AT).
At United for Care, we understand the profound impact technology can have on empowering people living with disabilities. United for Care’s Chief Strategy Officer, Karim Amin, says “The NDIS, with its focus on individual needs and capacity building, presents a unique opportunity to harness this tech revolution and redefine the nature of disability support.”
Let’s look at the latest assistive tech and some of the innovative projects United for Care are spearheading, offering us a glimpse into a brighter future.
The Power of Personalisation
The beauty of AT lies in its ability to be customised to individual needs and a range of disabilities. Take speech-generating devices for example. These devices give a voice to those who struggle with verbal communication, allowing them to express themselves freely.
People living with a speech impairment still feel the need to voice their thoughts and share responses and emotions in day-to-day life. Sip and puff technology makes this possible. It's a powerful tool that bridges the communication gap, allowing people to express their needs, or enjoy a casual conversation. Here’s how it works:
- By inhaling or exhaling on a sip and puff mouthpiece, users control a switch that generates messages on a speech device or computer software.
- They can choose letters, use predictive text, or select symbols for quick communication.
- Sip and puff switches can also be used to control electric wheelchairs and a range of other devices.
The independence this innovative tech solution brings about not only boosts confidence, but also opens a world of possibilities for education, social interaction, and self-expression.
Beyond Communication
The realm of assistive technology extends far beyond communication aids. Smart home devices with voice control, like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, allow people living with limited mobility to control lights, appliances, thermostats, and even doors, creating greater independence within their living space.
Imagine Sarah, who has a vision impairment, preparing a dinner party for friends. The latest tech makes it possible for Sarah to use voice commands to adjust the lighting in the kitchen and turn on her favorite music while cooking. Alexa can even read out a recipe for cocktails.
This level of environmental control enables people to participate fully in daily activities and promotes that all-important sense of self-reliance.
The Future of Fall Detection
United for Care is partnering with My Medic Watch, who have developed patented algorithms to immediately report falls and seizures. When a fall or a seizure occurs, My Medic Watch apps detect it using smartwatch sensors and a patented algorithm. The location is identified via GPS and a message is immediately sent to a nominated support worker.
United for Care is also helping pioneer a new touchless approach to fall prevention for people with disabilities. We've partnered with Vayyar Care, a company using innovative radar technology. This technology can analyse a person's walking gait and predict falls before they happen. Here's how it works:
- Sensors pick up on irregular movement patterns.
- If a potential fall is detected, an alert is sent to nearby support staff.
- Support staff can then intervene and prevent the accident.
Once rolled out with United for Care, this will be the first time Vayyar Care's technology has been used specifically for people living with disabilities, making it a groundbreaking advancement in disability support.
AI: The Ethical Frontier
The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in NDIS support is vast, from personalised learning tools to robotic assistants for daily tasks.
One way AI can be used for support is through chatbots. Chatbots are computer programs that can simulate a conversation with humans. They can be used to provide basic customer service support, answer frequently asked questions, and even schedule appointments. This can free up human staff to focus on more complex tasks and provide more personalised support.
However, as is often the case with AI, ethical concerns must be accounted for. Issues like data privacy, bias in algorithms, and the potential for job displacement for support workers need careful consideration.
Ultimately, AI should be a tool for empowerment, not exclusion, and human interaction remains crucial for offering quality support. The key lies in utilising AI to complement human support, not replace it.
AI is amazing for many things, but providing disability support requires emotional intelligence and the ability to build deep personal connections. These are areas where AI currently falls short, and even the most innovative tech is no substitute for human support workers.
Aiming to be at the forefront of ethical AI, which involves fair and transparent uses of AI that focus on improving human well-being, United for Care have led a grant bid to establish AI Adoption Centres across Australia. These centres will be used to upskill participants, their families and people working in the care sector in the use of AI.
This exciting initiative is in partnership with New South Wales Health, the University of Technology Sydney, Newcastle University, the University of New South Wales and other industry partners.
Accessibility Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite the incredible advancements, accessibility remains a hurdle. The cost of some AT can be prohibitively high, while the digital divide can leave some participants without access to the internet and the benefits it offers.
To bridge this gap, the NDIS community at large needs collaborative efforts from government agencies, technology providers, and support organisations. Streamlining the funding process for AT, promoting digital literacy, and ensuring affordability are all crucial steps towards inclusive access.
In this vein, United for Care has joined forces with the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Newcastle and Intelicare. This funded consortium is conducting practical research on how the latest technologies and the data they generate can be used to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
The consortium’s goal is to make sure that adopting these new technologies leads to better disability accommodation and ultimately, more effective support models.
The Future is Bright
The future of NDIS support is undoubtedly tech-driven. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative solutions that enhance independence, participation, and overall wellbeing for NDIS participants.
Karim believes “NDIS support providers should be at the forefront of this revolution. They should actively partner with AT providers, advocate for policy changes that promote accessibility, and educate both participants and support workers on the benefits and potential of assistive technologies.”
With NDIS support providers leading the way, we can create a future where participants are empowered by technology to reach their full potential and live a life without limits.
What Does Your Future Hold?
If you or somebody you work with is looking to build a brighter future, United for Care can help. Our industry expertise and deep understanding of living with disabilities make us a reliable choice for your NDIS support and accommodation. We don’t just offer you a roof over your head, we give you a place to call home.
We believe in creating a supportive, inclusive environment where you’re empowered to live your best life, giving you the perfect blend of support and freedom. We’ll make sure your SIL and SDA arrangements perfectly match your ideal lifestyle.
Ready to start your journey? Talk to one of our friendly experts today:
Email Us: info@unitedforcare.com.au
Call Us: 1300 405 260
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