National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

Technology8.35 Technology has a potentially increasing role to play in enabling independent living forpeople with disabilities and can be used in all forms of housing tenure. Assistive technologycan be used in conjunction with physical adaptations to adapt dwellings to suit changingneeds. Such technology includes environmental controls such as intercom systems,electronic control of doors, televisions, curtains, lights, entertainment systems, telephoneand communication systems, electric appliances, etc 60 . For example, it is estimated 61 thatthere are up to 40,000 people in the country who have a significant hearing loss, many ofwhom do not have an adequate fire safety device in their home. Most of these people usehearing aids during the day. However, at night, when they remove their hearing aids tosleep, they are unlikely to be woken by a conventional smoke alarm. Adapted smoke alarmswith a vibrating pad are available for people with sensory disabilities.8.36 While assistive technologies can enable a high degree of independence, systemssuch as telecare 62 can further support independent living by providing remote (passivemonitoring) and more active care where a person communicates directly with a health careprovider using real time telecommunication interactions. In addition, technology can assistpeople with dementia, in association with safe and well designed living spaces, to live asindependently as possible.Nestling Project8.37 The Nestling Project is a collaborative initiative between the Louth local authorities,Dundalk Town Council, HSE (North East Area), and Dundalk Institute of Technology. Thesponsors are joined in the initiative by the University of Ulster and the National Centre forSensor Research at Dublin City University. Significant funding has been also been providedby Atlantic Philanthropies. The project’s goal is the development of a centre of excellencefor the promotion of community-oriented models for independent living and ‘ageing inplace’. It aims to provide environments that promote and sustain independence and wellbeingfor older people through the fusion of innovative spatial, technology and integratedcommunity care-based approaches. This will be achieved through the following objectives:60Assist Ireland, www.assistireland.ie, is a website which is provided by the Citizens Information Board andprovides information on assistive technology and a directory of products available from Irish suppliers to meetthe needs of people with disabilities and older people. The database also provides information on howassistive technology can be used in daily living situations.61Estimated by DeafHear (formerly the National Association for Deaf People).62Telecare is a term given to offering remote care of older and vulnerable people, providing the care andreassurance needed to allow them to remain living in their own homes.95 95