For more than five years, Imagine! collaborated with the University of Colorado's College of Engineering and Applied Science to create a variety of assistive technology projects for the people we serve. Here’s a fun retrospective video with more details and which highlights some of the many amazing projects.
Team members at the Charles Family SmartHome have been busy training new staff members on everything from resident care routines to operating an accessible van. In this picture, Isaac takes advantage of a nice and sunny day to orient Page, Jamie, and Victoria on how to assist residents who utilize a wheelchair with safe loading and unloading procedures.
Touring Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont this past Monday: Lea Anne Paskvalich, Director of Public Relations and Admissions, Temple Grandin School; Joan Peck, Longmont City Council; Mohammad Mahoor, Associate Professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Denver, whose research focuses on visual pattern recognition, social robot design, and bioengineering; and Lee Berg, St. Vrain Valley School District Education Foundation Director. Thanks to SmartHomes ambassador extraordinaire Leona Stoecker for helping to arrange the tour.
Today we’d like to share an update on Imagine!’s Tuneberg Remote Supports Project.
We’ve written about this project severaltimesbefore. The goal of the project is to help individuals in the community live safe and productive lives with the assistance of technology. Today’s edition of The Daily Camera has a story about how the project is moving forward.
"We're looking at new ways to keep people in the community in a safe and secure setting that also supports independence," said Greg Wellems, the manager of the project and the chief operating officer at Imagine! "The idea is to use technology in a community-based setting that will allow people to be monitored remotely and will allow their loved ones or caregivers to know when they are home, what area of the apartment or living space they are accessing, remotely lock doors, remotely let people know what facilities they are using, and support them with medication."
Stacey, who lives at Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome, shared a photo of her preparing a delicious and nutritious meal with Leah for her housemates and guests.
DECLARATION IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS (DIGS)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities Request for Proposals for Advancing and Promoting:
The Rights of People with Cognitive Disabilities to Technology and Information Access
DUE: Friday, April 22, 2016
The Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities was established in 2001 by the Regents of the University of Colorado. A private endowment and sustained annual contributions by our funding donors, William T. and Claudia L., Coleman, support the Institute's activities to catalyze and integrate advances in technology to promote the quality of life for people with cognitive disabilities.
The Institute supports research, development, dissemination, and education in the area of cognitive disabilities.
Technology is a ubiquitous and valuable tool for billions of people worldwide, yet many people with cognitive disabilities have limited access to these tools for everyday living. As a means to address this inequality, The Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities along with a coalition of disability organizations and individuals have asserted The Rights of People with Cognitive Disabilities to Technology and Information Access.
This statement of principles, commonly referred to as the "Declaration," outlines what it means for the estimated 29 million Americans with cognitive disabilities to be meaningfully included in our technologically-driven society. To date, over 1,380 individuals and organizations have endorsed the Declaration. Colorado and Maine have also enacted state legislative initiatives supporting the principles outlined in the Declaration.
The purpose of the Request for Proposals is to further advance the Declaration through local and statewide implementation grants. Specifically, The Coleman Institute seeks creative and effective approaches to increase awareness and demonstrate effective implementation of the principles outlined in the Declaration.
For more information about the DIGS, please visit: www.colemaninstitute.org
The gang from the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome had a fantastic outing on Saturday. All staff members and residents were invited to go to Gateway Fun Park in Boulder. They played mini golf, went through a maze, did some go cart racing, and played arcade games. Johnny really enjoyed the mini golf and ended up being really good at it! Rebecca was laughing so hard when she rode the go carts! She said she had so much fun! And all of the residents and staff members really enjoyed playing arcade games and winning prizes.
Chris DiRosa, Site Supervisor at Imagine!’s Santa Fe Home, discusses how he and his staff members are using technology at the home to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their services.
Imagine! has built two SmartHomes which incorporate the latest technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of service and supports for people with disabilities.
