Frequently Asked Questions
What is AT (Assistive Technology)?
Assistive Technology is any kind of tool, device or piece of equipment that is used to enhance the capabilities and independence of individuals with disabilities. These technologies can help individuals perform tasks that they might otherwise find challenging or impossible to do on their own, thereby improving their quality of life and enabling greater participation in various aspects of life such as daily living, school, work and recreation.
Assistive technology encompasses everything from items that have been specifically designed or modified for people with disabilities, such as a thick handled spoon or an electric wheelchair, to everyday things that can be utilised in particular ways, like smart speakers, computers and phones.
Assistive technology can also include smart home modifications such as auto door openers and smart lighting.
What kind of NDIS plan do I need?
Do I need to be an NDIS participant to get AT (Assistive Technology)?
Your Smart Life is currently in the process of becoming a registered NDIS provider. Until this is finalised, we can only work with participants who are either Plan Managed or Self Managed.
How do I use my funding to pay for smart home modifications or AT (Assistive technology)?
No. If you don't have an NDIS plan, it simply means you will have to pay for the devices yourself.
How much can I spend on AT (Assistive Technology) and smart home modifications?
If you are Self Managed, you will be sent a quote to your email address for approval, then an invoice, which you can use to claim the funding from your Plan.
If you are Plan Managed, the invoice will be sent to your nominated plan manager who will pay us directly.
I already have a phone, smart speaker and computer but I don't know what I can do with them
The NDIS allows participants to spent up to $1500 on low cost items from their existing budget. Anything over this amount will likely require an application made by an Occupational Therapist to the NDIS.
for more information about this go to:
https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/supports-you-can-access-menu/equipment-and-technology/assistive-technology/how-do-we-fund-assistive-technology
We can offer you a service agreement for a number of hours that can be paid under a number of codes depending on where you have funding available and what it is you want help with. There are options in Core, Capital and Capacity Building.
With these hours we can help you with anything such as teaching you how to best utilise your current devices or software, setting up new devices or finding a solution to whatever AT problem you might have.
What is Assistive Technology for someone who has an intellectual disability?
Assistive Technology for people with intellectual disabilities can include setting up routines and automations with smart devices so that if someone says "Hey Siri, TV time" the blinds will close, the lights will go down and the TV will turn."
It may include setting reminders for things like medication, meals or activities, or setting timers for a smart speaker to tell jokes, teach little lessons or give positive reinforcement.
Intellectual disability encompasses a vast range of conditions on varying scales of severity. We have found that each of our clients characterised as having an intellectual disability is entirely unique. We specialise in learning about what their personal challenges, passions and hobbies are so that we can help create a bespoke system or solution that makes it easier for them to accomplish their objectives.
Marty's Story:
Marty has cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability. he has limited mobility, cannot use touchscreens and cannot read.
When Marty moved into his new SDA house, he wanted to be able to call his family without asking for help so we devised a special communication system.
we set up wireless Bluetooth buttons that allows him to make phone calls with a simple tactile button press. the buttons are then stuck onto photos of his family members so, to call mum, he presses the button on the picture of mum.
Marty is a Google user, so we also created a 'household' on his Google account for his Nest Hub Max so that when he says "Hey Google, call Dad", the screen automatically makes a video call to dad.
What is Assistive Technology for someone who is blind or has low vision?
There have been many developments made recently by the large tech companies with regards to AT for people who are blind or have low vision. It could be as simple as being made aware of the new accessibility features on your iPhone, or it could be installing a smart doorbell with facial recognition that announces who is at the door. There are a multitude of possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.
Angie's Story:
Angie is legally blind and had contacted us to teach her how to use the screen reading software on her new computer. While we were there, was also helped set up her Google Home Mini and showed her some extra features she didn’t know about, set up her printer and her webcam, and diagnosed her Wi-Fi issues. In getting to know Angie, we learned she had recently had a less than amicable brake up, her kids had moved out and she no longer felt safe at night, even sleeping with a pair of scissors. We installed a smart lock on her door that she could open with either a key, a code, a fob or her phone. We helped her create separate entry codes for her kids, herself, her dog walker and her guests that she can change or delete at anytime. She now feels safe in her home.
What is Assistive Technology for someone who is deaf or hearing impaired?
When it comes to assistive tech for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, the most significant assistance can be achieved with smart lighting. Smart lighting can be configured to alert you of nearly any situation like someone at the door, phone ringing, smoke alarm, appliances or when cat wants to come in. most smart devices can also be connected to Cochlear implants so that music, phone calls, doorbells and alarms can come through the implant.
Rebecca's Story:
Rebecca uses a Cochlear implant and without it she is completely deaf. She wanted a way to know when someone was at the door, or if the smoke alarm was going off, or if the cat was at the door wanting to come in when she wasn't wearing her implant.
we installed smart lighting, a smart doorbell and lock and a motion sensor camera out the back for the cat. Now, when someone rings the doorbell, her light turns blue, when the cat is at the door, the light turns green, when the fire alarm is going off, the lights turn red.
We also connected her Cochlear implant to her phone so she can listen to music and receive calls and alerts directly.
What is Assistive Technology for someone who has limited mobility?
Automation has been a game changer for people with limited mobility. everything smart home can dramatically change the life of someone who struggles to open doors or raise the blinds or use a remote. these things can now all be automated and controlled with your voice, motion sensors, special switches or your phone.
Luke's Story:
Luke has Cerebral palsy, is in a wheelchair and is non-verbal. He has limited mobility in his hands and struggles to use touchscreens. Luke wanted a way to communicate with his family via video calls, as he communicates with facial expressions, eye movements and pictures from his communication book.
To achieve this, we installed special software on his computer and created macros the ran a series of clicks to open and initiate a skype call. We then paired some tactile clicking Bluetooth buttons with each of the macros so when he wants to call his brother, he pushes that button. when he wants to answer a call, he pushes another button.
We also installed automatic door openers and motion sensors for all the internal doors in his house so that he can move more freely though his home.
What is Assistive Technology for someone who has an advancing condition?
The beauty of the Matter standard is that all the biggest tech companies are now making their devices compatible with each other, which means whether you prefer an Apple, Google or Alexa environment, you can continue to add and adapt different devices in your smart home as your condition changes.
Carol's Story:
Carol has MS. She is in a wheelchair and is on a respirator some days. Carol enters and exits her home via the sliding door around the side of her home, as there are steps at the front. Some days she finds it difficult to open and close the door, and worries that if there were to be a fire, she would struggle to get out of the house.
We installed an automatic door opener for her sliding door that can be controlled with her phone, her voice, a pin code or a fob. It is also connected to Bluetooth buttons that she has stuck on her wheelchair so she can push it as she approaches and the door will open for her.
What is Assistive Technology for the elderly or someone who is older?
Technology can be particularly terrifying for some people, which can mean many missed opportunities to maintain your lifestyle for longer. Things like a smart watch that monitors your heart rate, oxygen levels and blood pressure and sends an alert to a relative or local doctor in the event of an emergency, smart pill dispensers that remind them to take your medications and can alert caregivers if a dose is missed, automations for video calling the grandkids and so much more.
Joan's Story:
Joan's husband has recently passed. She lives alone and her children were worried about her, as they are not able to visit as often as they would like to. To avoid moving from her home into a retirement facility, we put in place a number of system that gave her family peace of mind knowing that in an emergency someone could be there.
We setup 3 google hub max's with motion detection in the main rooms so the family could check in on her. We set up all her vital monitoring on her google watch as well as the fall detection that sent prewritten messages to her family and to her doctors in an emergency.
We set up her 'Google Household' so that all she needed to do is say to her Hub Max "Hey Google, Call Jade" and it would automatically videocall her granddaughter.
We also installed smart irrigation that checks the type of soil and the weather forecast to ensure the garden is watered accordingly, since her husband was no longer around to tend their garden.
Still need answers? please don't hesitate to contact us with any of your questions (03) 9381 2104 or email us at support@yoursmartlife.com.au
Keep Your Independence
A Smart Home will enhance all aspects of your life, and allow you more independence than ever before.
- Control all parts of your home from your smartphone
- Create pre-set 'scenes' which you can summon with your voice, such as a 'nighttime' scene:
Simply say: "hey siri, nighttime" and
- all lights turn off
- TV turns off
- Doors lock
and whatever else you pre-set.
Keep Your Family & Property Safe
Smart Security is one of the best investments anyone can make for their home.
The ability to
- Monitor your home from anywhere, at anytime with your smartphone
- Be notified when anyone steps onto your property
- Lower insurance premiums
.png)
OUR PROMISE
START TO FINISH
We will guide you every step of the way. From understanding how your life can benefit from home automation to the final installed product ready to use
SAFETY
All of our installers are licensed by Victoria Police, ensuring you and your family are kept safe.
(Reg 982-439-80S)
.png)
100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
Every YourSmartLife review is 5 stars! We are sure to leave you satisfied. Find out why today.