Voice-controlled lighting that works for the whole family

Situation

Esther is a 45-year-old mother of two children. She has post-polio syndrome and recently experienced a change in mobility. As a long-term user of elbow crutches, Esther has experienced overuse of her upper limbs and has required surgery to address the pain and discomfort that this has caused. She has recently been advised that elbow crutches are no longer a viable option for her, and she now uses a powered wheelchair for all indoor and outdoor mobility. This change in mobility has had a significant impact on her function and has meant she needs to adapt the way she carries out parenting, work and life roles.

Esther is independent in most daily activities and can drive an adapted vehicle. Since starting to mobilise in her powered wheelchair, Esther has found it difficult to open and close her front door to enter and exit the house independently. She has also found it difficult to control her environment and access light switches that are not easily accessible from a seated position in her powered wheelchair.

Solution

Following an occupational therapy (OT) assessment, a Stretchy Tech OT worked with our electrician to refine recommendations for door and lighting automation.

Automation of the front door was considered necessary to allow Esther to continue entering and exiting her property independently. With a main door and separate security door in situ, recommendations were made to replace both with a new combi 'Airflow' door that combines the two doors in one. The combi door has a screen panel set within the main door and is often required to maintain effective door automation while retaining the features of a security door. Recommendations were also made for door access via a fob, wall mounted switch and keypad for the exterior side.

Many of Esther’s existing light switches were either out of reach or situated behind furniture, so smart lighting was also recommended. Different models of smart lighting and access methods were considered before recommending Phillips Hue smart lighting to be controlled primarily through voice control.

Esther’s daughters live with her, so it was important that the selected lighting could be accessed by her children through a wall mounted switch as they normally would. The availability of wireless wall switches, as part of the Phillips Hue range, guided this choice.

Outcome

Two different funding pathways were navigated to obtain the best outcome for Esther. At this stage, we have successfully installed the smart lighting but are still awaiting funding for the door automation.

Esther is now able to control the lights in her bedroom and family room using her voice. This has enabled her to independently, and comfortably, control them from anywhere within the house.

Esther’s children can control the lights using the Phillips Hue wall mounted switches. Esther has reported that the wireless wall switches are in a more accessible position than the original switches and, at times, she can use these switches to operate the lights as well. The voice-controlled lighting is the first opportunity that Esther has had to control her environment using her voice. We look forward to installing the door automation soon.

Was there anything that didn't go to plan? How was this overcome?

The lighting installation went to plan. We are currently still waiting on funding for the door automation by the NDIA.

Summary pointers for OTs technicians, and the intended user (person with disability)

1. The technology described above has worked well for Esther and her family, so we think it’s worth consideration by OTs, technicians, and persons with disability, in similar situations.
2. When there are multiple people living in the household it is important to consider how all members of the household will use the technology. Most smart bulbs require the physical switch to be left in the ON position for app and voice control to work.