By Marcus Cook
Assistive technology is constantly evolving to assist people with disabilities but a lot of the technology is not necessarily easy to access.
Currently, providers of assistive technology have to bring equipment to a clients home and set them up in their lounge rooms so they can be trialled for suitability; a process which can take hours.
So, what if assistive technology could come to you faster, easier, and stress-free?
In a recent episode of the Outreach podcast on Westsider Radio, host Brian Peel explores initiatives that are having a huge impact for people living with disability.
Hal Zhou, Owner and Director of Able Living shares a game-changing approach that transforms ex-ambulance vehicles into fully equipped mobile showrooms.
Able Living has purchased a range of former ambulance vehicles and converted them into showrooms with beds, recliners and wheelchairs. The equipment can be trialled in the ambulance, eliminating the need to remove them and set them up in the client’s home.
Ambulances are an ideal vehicle as they have a large wheel base making it easier for them to accommodate this type of equipment.
So a process which used to take up to three hours now only takes 20 minutes which is far less disruptive. A huge win for Aged Care clients, NDIS participants, and the teams supporting them.
For folks living in bushfire affected regions the CFA has introduced technology improving fire safety for people with hearing loss.
Tim Marchinton from the CFA says specialised smoke alarms are being installed to alert people of fire. He says the devices are designed to slide under pillows so they work even when people are asleep.
“We’ve got access now to some wonderful smoke detectors that actually work for people who have hearing loss and so they vibrate under the pillow and flash a strobe light which will help alert you if you’re slumber[ing] when there’s smoke detected.”
He says the devices are available with subsidies via the Victorian Smoke Alarm Scheme for eligible Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. You can contact Expression Audiology for more information.
Outreach is a show dedicated to aged care, disability, and the power of community connection proudly brought to you by Westsider Radio.
Watch or listen back to the full episode on Youtube or Mixcloud:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cySm6Mp03I
MixCloud:https://www.mixcloud.com/WestsiderRadio/outreach-episode-3/
If you would like to share your story, send through an expression of interest to Marcus or Brian on:
Marcus@ihds.com.au
Brian@gihc.com.au
