New Home Has Everything to Make Life Easier for People with Disabilities

Two leaders in assisting people with disabilities have joined to provide a new service in Tuscarawas County. The Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Starlight Enterprises Incorporated recently opened a technology first home in Dover.

Article Source: The Tuscarawas County Bargain Hunter - Teri Stein 

“The state department of disabilities has really been trying to focus on this, especially with the workforce shortage of people to serve people with disabilities,” said Nate Kamban, superintendent of the TuscBDD.

Last fall the state department put out a request for proposal for an innovative technology grant.

“I heard about it and thought it would be an interesting opportunity for us to be able to not use local funds to try something new,” Kamban said.

He reached out to Starlight Enterprises Inc. because they own homes that are utilized by people with disabilities. Only one other tech home existed in the state at the time. The home was located in Bowling Green.

“It was sort of like an Airbnb where individuals with disabilities and maybe their loved ones or caregiver, they could come and spend the night and see what they liked and then fill out this list to then give to their caseworker or SSA,” Kamban said.

No one will live permanently in the new tech home; it will be a spot to visit to try different technologies to see what works for each visitor. Being able to try the technology before bringing it home gives people peace of mind.

“I think what we’ve noticed on our side with working with technology, there’s a little bit of a fear,” Kamban said.

Parents and caregivers especially want to know the technology will work for them and allow them to be able to leave home and know their loved one is safe.

“So we just wanted to find a way to allow people to really try some of these things,” Kamban said.

The types of technology range from low to high, from adaptive kitchen utensils that are easier to hold, grabbers/reachers and specially designed shoe horns to higher tech items like cameras, Vayaar fall detection, and a recliner and a television that can be controlled by voice commands.

Anyone receiving services from the TuscBDD may request an overnight stay so they can try the technology. Others in the county who may be caring for a disabled or elderly family member not served by the board can request a tour to view the resources.

There are two bedrooms, office space, and a full kitchen and living room. Donors who helped with putting the home together are Andreas Furniture, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, MEORC and Williams Furniture.

Artists at Starlight Enterprises created all the art for the home. Artist Kellie Baker even did some creative color blending to match the artwork of the living room to pieces in the room. Any of the artwork pieces can be recreated for those interested in purchasing them.

“If a person does want to stay here and they do have support staff, the staff is welcome to stay with them or a loved one, if they live with their family or prefer to have a family member with them,” said Ray Snyder, service and support administrative manager for the TuscBDD. “Otherwise, they’re welcome to stay here on their own, and we just set up supports in place, as long as they’re able to be here safely with just those supports.”

According to Synder, they are pleased to have two overnight stays scheduled for November. They also have conducted five tours of the home.

Tech can make a huge difference.

“Some people just need a little remote support, or some kind of check in on them a couple times,” said Lisa Sidoti, executive administrative director.

Once people see what technology works best for them, they can request a meeting with their service and support administrator for help obtaining the equipment for their home.

“It’s huge because then people don’t have to go out of their way to purchase it, and it doesn’t have to come through their waiver funds before they come here to try it first,” Snyder said.

The SSA department has already gotten a couple of checklists returned of tech items requested, but it does have to be an assessed need that addresses a need or promotes independence.

There are more than 80 items to try including remote support, smart sensors, trackers/wandering prevention, MedReady dispensers, bed shakers, Nest smart devices, smart plugs and more.

In collaboration with other organizations and grant funding, the TuscBDD also has other tech options available including kits featuring iPads and other items. They also have a lending library of specialty items people can borrow.

Finding new ways to serve people with developmental disabilities is critical.

“We try to look every year at how many people we’re serving, and that number is growing,” Kamban said.

There has been a 53% growth in the number of children served from 2020-24. Technology will be an important part of serving individuals.

“I think having opportunities like this will really speak to the younger generation of people with disabilities because they’re used to tech and we can really show them how they can use that to support themselves independently,” Kamban said.

To schedule a tour or overnight stay at the tech house, email the TuscBDD at remotesupport@tuscbdd.org.