Data Says: It's Working!

A couple of weeks ago, members of Imagine!’s SmartHomes team met with researchers from Colorado WIN Partners to discuss some of their findings from their year-long study involving residents of the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder. The researchers were looking at how the technology in the SmartHome was impacting the residents’ lives, and recently they presented some of their preliminary findings.

The overall findings matched well with the goal of our SmartHomes project. For instance, the research showed a large increase in residents’ perception of their control over their own lives. One of the key reasons for using technology was to provide the individuals served in the home the opportunity to become more independent, so we were very pleased to see this result.

Other areas where the research showed positive increases among residents included: feeling safer in their new home, feeling respected by others around them, number of personal relationships, and access to resources the residents felt they needed.

Another interesting finding, one that fits well with our goal of delivering services in a more cost effective manner, was that the increases above were noted while residents also reported a decrease in the number of services and staff interactions. Given the current state of the developmental disabilities service delivery and provision system in Colorado and the nation, that is exactly the result we are hoping for, as it demonstrates that it is possible to provide quality services even as the resources available for providing those services continue to dwindle.

The research data showed us that we still have some things to work on, though. For example, the data showed little change in how involved residents felt they were in their community. Community involvement is the cornerstone of Imagine!’s mission, and we believe that technology provides an opportunity for increasing such involvement. As more technologies go online at the SmartHome, we feel we will start seeing an increase in community involvement. But seeing the current data reminds us we still have a way to go and encourages us to redouble our efforts.

We’d like to thank the researchers from Colorado WIN Partners for their hard work and dedication. Danette Muselman and Elizabeth Woodruff, along with their research mentor Yvonne Kellar-Guenther, have provided us with a great deal of actionable data. Thanks also to I.B.M., who provided a $10,000 grant to support the research.

The researchers will be creating a white paper detailing the results of the study, and we will share that with you when that is complete.

SmartHomes Featured at Technology Conferences

Last week, the Coleman Institute hosted its 10th Annual Conference. The title of the conference was The Power of Partnerships In Cognitive Disability & Technology.

In conjunction with the Coleman Conference, the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), along with the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, hosted the 2nd Annual Technology Leadership Summit.

Since these two events were located right here in our neck of the woods, it provided a great opportunity to share the story of our SmartHomes project. And share we did!

Representatives from several organizations attending the conferences took tours of the Bob and Judy SmartHome in Boulder, including folks from Maine-based OHI, Connecticut-based Ability Beyond Disability, New York-based Westchester Arc, and Alliance, located right here in Colorado.

But the SmartHome tours weren’t the only way our SmartHomes were represented at the two conferences. SmartHome PR guy Fred Hobbs presented on Social Media (see the presentation slide show below) and hosted a round table on the subject, and SmartHome guru Greg Wellems hosted a roundtable discussion on business leadership.

Getting Social: One Organization's Successes

View more presentations from Fred Hobbs.

It is becoming abundantly clear that more and more organizations are looking to Imagine!’s SmartHomes and SmartSupports projects to serve as blueprints for their own future plans for serving some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens. We are happy to share what we know, what we’ve learned, and what we don’t yet know – we think that approach will ultimately serve all of us better!

More Of Mandy On The Radio

Members of Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source radio class, including Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Mandy, recently had another radio piece they created air on KGNU radio in Boulder. The piece is about the documentary “The Kids of Widney High Story.” What’s the movie about?

Listen to the piece to find out.

Sarah At Home

Nice picture of Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont resident Sarah having a little fun at home!

Hanging Out At The Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome

Some nice pictures of the residents at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome just relaxing and enjoying each other’s company.

Now We're Cooking!

Simple technologies can help SmartHome residents take more control over their lives. In the picture below, Anthony is using an adjustable stovetop to cook a meal. The stovetop adjustability means he can easily access the stove in his wheelchair, thus increasing his independence.

Help Gerald Make It To Vegas!

SmartHome resident Gerald is planning on taking a Vegas vacation, and a local company is helping out!

On Monday, October 18th, from 3pm to 9pm Twisted Pine Brewery in Boulder will be donating $1 for every pint sold to go to Gerald’s vacation fund. This is extremely helpful, as Gerald’s limited funds means it is difficult, if not impossible, for him to travel. But with a little assistance, Gerald will be enjoy the sights and sounds of Las Vegas for the first time!

So if you are free, come on down to the Twisted Pine (3201 Walnut St) on the 18th, watch a little Monday Night Football, and support a good cause.

Upcoming Presentation

Members of Imagine!’s SmartHomes team continue to be in demand, making presentations across the country about this ambitious project and how technology can be used to improve the lives of those with developmental disabilities and related conditions.

Here’s one example: SmartHome PR guy Fred Hobbs will be presenting at the ANCOR 2nd Annual Technology Leadership Summit October 22. The title of his presentation is: Getting Social: One Organization’s Success.

To see other presentations scheduled for SmartHome team members, click here.

No On 60, 61, and 101

Imagine! started its SmartHomes and SmartSupports projects to create more opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently in natural settings.

A spate of initiatives on the ballot for Colorado’s upcoming election threatens our ability to provide those opportunities in the future.

Imagine!’s Board of Directors has voted to oppose Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 on Colorado’s ballot this November. Watch the video below to learn why.

Employee Spotlight

The story below is from Imagine!’s most recent employee newsletter. It highlights one of our many dedicated employees, Meagan Witt, and her work with SmartHome resident Gerald.

Enjoy!

“I love the challenge and the fact that no two days are alike,” Meagan Witt, a Communication Teacher with C.O.R.E./Labor Source, told us as she discussed her job. “I love building good rapport and relationships with the amazing people we serve, as well as working alongside such dedicated and compassionate teachers and staff. Most importantly, I think it is so valuable to help give our consumers a voice, and help improve their ability to communicate, whether that be through sign language, a device, or verbally.

“One major highlight for me right now is helping Gerald Stopa use his device to increase his sound and symbol recognition, beginning the foundation of literacy. When Gerald finds the right letter for a sound, he seems so proud of himself, and being part of that process, for me, is second to none. In the last three months, Gerald has gone from recognizing only a few sounds and letters to being able to sound out ten words, and I cannot wait to see what he will accomplish next. These are only a few of the things that make my job so great.”

Meagan’s supervisors, Jeri Kofoed and Nicole Linke, sent us the following comments about why they value and appreciate Meagan. “Meagan does excellent work with all our consumers and continues to have a positive impact on their lives and our department. She provides the consumers in her classes with the tools they need to be heard by working to improve their communication skills in speech, sign language, Dynavox, and Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS). Meagan is professional, creative, and engaging in each one of her classes. She takes the time to connect with each of our consumers and understand what their needs are before creating a plan. She ensures her classes are individualized and are meeting the goals of each person. Meagan has quickly become an integral part of the C.O.R.E./Labor Source team and we are so thankful to have such a dedicated and caring employee.”