Toby Tackles Broncos 7K

Charles Family SmartHome resident Toby and his good friends Donna and Gerald participated in the Broncos 7K Run/Walk on Sunday. Looks like they had a great time!

Technology Tuesday

Today I’d like to tell you about Telematics.

Telematics refers to the use of wireless devices and “black box” technologies to transmit data in real time back to an organization. Typically, it's used in the context of automobiles, whereby installed or after-factory boxes collect and transmit data on vehicle use, maintenance requirements or automotive servicing.

You may not be aware of this fact, but Imagine! has a rather large fleet of vehicles that we use to transport the individuals we serve to the various activities, like to job sites, or activities in the communities, or to medical appointments.

Our fleet is vital to our success, and we are embarking on a pilot project to test Telematics to identify how best to utilize those assets. It will also help determine which vehicles should be replaced and when.

We are starting the pilot out this month with a demo, which will include five vehicles from our CORE/Labor Source and Out & About departments. During this time, we will have a chance to test the product as well as familiarize ourselves with the program. If all goes well, we’ll place an additional 40 vehicles on the plan within these two groups. At the end of the first year we’ll determine the value of adding other parts of the fleet.

How It Will Work 
GPS units will be linked to each vehicle’s own computer. This provides live vehicle location (tracked on the web via computer or smart phone), as well as vehicle diagnostics, such as fuel consumption, speed/direction of travel/routes and stops, idle-time, etc.

Each department will be able to track their own specific fleet as well as see the entire Imagine! fleet for comparison purposes. Detailed data reporting in regards to specific vehicles or the whole fleet will be used to benchmark opportunities for improvements.

Results 
We are hoping to achieve/improve on the following:

Safety

• vehicles and their occupants will be visible 24/7 to supervisors. This is especially important during bad weather days or in the event of a breakdown 
• companies using Telematics report a reduction in their accident rates 
• this program comes with free 24/7 roadside services available to enrolled vehicles 
• vehicle alerts when seatbelts are not in use while moving 

Fuel Savings

• by monitoring idle times, monitoring driving habits (speeding, fast acceleration, harsh braking), and monitoring each vehicle's fuel efficiency 
• improved dispatching/routing leading to fewer miles traveled 

Maintenance 

• automated service alerts (oil changes, safety inspections, etc.) will help ensure services are done in a timely fashion 
• all Department of Transportation safety recall notices will be sent automatically 
• engine trouble codes will be transmitted for proactive mechanical attention 

We’re excited to embark on this project. Whenever we are able to be more efficient with the logistics of our work, it means we can focus more energy and resources on delivering great services and opening doors to community participation among individuals with intellectual disabilities.

A Night At 3 Margaritas

The Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome crew went out to dinner last weekend to their favorite place: 3 Margaritas! Rebecca was excited to get to wear a sombrero and Johnny very much enjoyed his dinner. Staff said it was a fun casual, night out. Thanks to Site Supervisor Shannon Bundy for sharing these pics!

Technology Tuesday

This week’s Technology Tuesday is another exciting edition of “Chris’s Corner,” featuring a communicative update from Chris Baumgart, Imagine!’s Assistive Technology Specialist.

Chris’s Corner 

Welcome back, fellow corner-ians!

This edition of Chris’s Corner takes us to a Balanced Living class at the Boulder Hub of Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source department. As we saw in the previous edition of Chris’s Corner, people are in full swing using iPads as communication devices. If you didn’t see that post, you can check it out here.

Today I’d like to show you another method of using these iPads for communication. Many people have challenges using a touch screen for communication, especially when it comes to fine motor control, and discriminating between several buttons on a screen. One of the work-arounds that we’ve begun implementing in Balanced Living is employing a separate iOS device as an individual switch.

It works like this: If the iPad you’re using is equipped with the GoTalkNow, and is connected to a WiFi network, a separate iOS device (for ease of access, a smaller device, such as an iPad mini, an iPhone, or an iPod Touch works best) can be equipped with the Attainment Switch app, and then you will be prompted to connect with the desired iPad, and voilà! You have a switch accessible iPad that can be customized to suit the user’s needs. Suddenly you have an accessible communication device without the hefty communication device price tag. Check out the pictures below!

That’s all for this week’s Corner! Stayed tuned for another edition!

Check Out The Latest SmartHomes Newsletter

Imagine!’s latest SmartHomes newsletter is available online.

Check it out here. 

Catching Up With Donna

Here’s a fun picture of Donna, a former resident of the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome who now lives in Imagine!’s Santa Fe Home, enjoying a game of Connect Four with her friend and housemate Jeanne.

Technology Tuesday

This week’s Technology Tuesday post is another edition of “AppAbility” - where Imagine!’s Technology Architect Alex Andrews provides short instructional videos and reviews of apps that may be beneficial for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or related conditions. Today's episode: a demonstration of Sign 4 Me.

Can’t see the video? Click here.