Smart home technologies can be nearly magical at times. They let you turn on lights without touching a switch, answer the door from your bedroom (or a hotel room), and adjust the temperature with a simple voice command.
Those traits are a luxury or a convenience for many people. Smart home automation in Toronto, on the other hand, can be a powerful enabler for people with disabilities, allowing them to live a more empowered life.
Of course, covering all answers for every demand is difficult. However, after years of researching and testing smart-home gadgets, we’ve produced a list of what we believe are the greatest items for people with various accessibility needs—and perhaps their loved ones and caregivers.
Although accessibility requirements differ by age and disability type, internet-connected smart-home gadgets such as smart plugs, cameras, sensors, smoke alarms, and voice-activated speakers can make daily life more convenient, safer, and even more social.
Finally, custom smart homes assist people with disabilities in leading more autonomous lives.
Smart-home gadgets can send notifications when turned on, enable remote access control, and interface with other devices so they can be operated partially or completely without touching them.
All smart gadgets require a smartphone and an app for setup, but the process is usually straightforward. It also doesn’t matter if you have an Apple or Android phone; most gadgets are compatible with both.
Smart Homes for People with Disabilities and Mobility Needs
Every smart-home gadget has an app that, at the absolute least, allows for basic remote control. This allows folks with accessibility needs—or a caregiver or loved one—to access gadgets from any location, whether it’s another room or another city.
Wireless Networking
To work, most of these devices require a stable Wi-Fi connection. Consider investing in a wireless extender or Wi-Fi mesh-networking technology if your home network isn’t fast enough to accommodate the addition of several devices or streaming video or if you have poor reception in some locations.
Scheduling
Most smart-home gadgets allow you to program them to turn on and off at certain times throughout the day or week. This means you can set and forget it, eliminating the need to utilize the app or shout out voice commands constantly.
Smart-Home Integration
When someone approaches your front door, a sensor can switch on a smart lamp, which might bring the temperature down when someone leaves a room. We specifically state which platforms our recommendations are compatible with, so if you’re already a HomeKit and Siri user, you’ll want to check for goods that work with that system. If you have an Amazon Alexa speaker or plan to buy one, you’ll want to seek gadgets that operate with it.
Smart Screens, Smart Speakers, and Voice Control
You don’t necessarily need to carry a smartphone to control smart-home gadgets. Many support voice control, allowing you to use your voice to turn on lights and monitor camera feeds on a screen.
This control is possible with smart speakers, smart screens, and TV streamers. They can, however, serve as a hub, mixing products from several producers. So, for example, a security camera may activate a device like a smart plug, or a single voice command could turn off all of your smart lighting at night.
Voice Communication Devices and Smart Displays
Voice control of smart-home devices is simple with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri (through Apple HomeKit). They also offer fast access to vital information such as weather and news, as well as a diverse selection of music and podcast selections.
Voice control is the primary mode of operation for smart speakers like the Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod Mini, and Google Home.
Conclusion
Smart devices not only allow persons with impairments to manage their lives independently, but they also allow them to transition to a more luxurious lifestyle.
Many smart home companies in Toronto are now making a concerted effort to create smart devices specifically for disabled people, allowing them to perform all those non-disabled individuals can do.
The opportunities for clever innovation for impaired people are endless as the digital industry expands and grows.
Now all that remains is to raise awareness and encourage widespread acceptance of these smart gadgets to enable disabled people to live more positive lives by giving them more autonomy, security, and community participation.
Smart Homes Pro is a small, family-owned business that serves the Greater Toronto Area, and we put our consumers first. We are passionate about what we do at Smart Homes Pro and like assisting individuals. Everything is achievable, in our opinion, and the first step toward realizing your dreams is to listen to you, our customer. Contact us to learn more about smart home automation in Toronto.