Overview
In-home environmental control solutions have changed significantly since the introduction of the Amazon Alexa devices. What once was only possible through costly assistive technology systems is now easy to implement using simple smart home technology. This presentation will focus on the ins and outs of how to properly utilize the Alexa devices as an environmental control solution in the home. This includes considerations for what devices to choose for control of specific appliances in the home, along with how to optimize the Alexa devices to meet each person’s unique needs.
Content Disclosure: Alexa is a product manufactured by Amazon. This presentation will focus exclusively on Alexa and will not include information on other similar or related devices.Learning Objectives
- Define at least three benefits of using the Amazon Alexa devices for environmental controls in the home.
- Compare at least three different environmental control communication protocols and discuss the benefits of using each protocol.
- Describe at least three ways to maximize the effectiveness of the Amazon Alexa devices when they are implemented in the home environment.
Primary & Secondary Strand
Assistive Technology for Physical Access and Participation
Target Audience
- Accessibility Professional
- AT Specialists
- Caregivers
- Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities
- Consultants/Trainers
- Disability Services
- Occupational Therapists
- Paraprofessionals
- Rehab Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
Experience Level
Intermediate
Primary Life Cycle Addressed
Elementary - Secondary (K-12); Higher Education; Adult/Senior
Content Area
Related Area
Course Schedule
This course was included in the ATIA 2021: AT Connected virtual event education program.
Continuing Education Credits
For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs
This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.
ASHA CE Information: Recorded Session
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: March 11, 2021. This course was offered for 0.10 ASHA CEUs. (Intermediate level.)
End date of ASHA CEUs offering: April 30, 2023
This course was approved by CRCC for CRC CEUs and was included in the ATIA CRC AT for Physical Access and Participation Series (2023-2024). This series offering was available from March 20, 2023, through March 19, 2024.
Speaker/s:
Sue Redepenning, OTR/L, ATP
Technology for HOME, Program Director
Biography
Sue Redepenning is the owner of LiveLife Therapy Solutions, Inc. Her company received an Assistive Technology grant from the state of MN in March of 2013 the program is called Technology for HOME. Sue leads 14 Assistive Technology consultants for the Technology for HOME program with degrees in Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing or Engineering and office consultants. The AT consultants travel throughout MN to see people to meet their Assistive Technology needs so they can stay living in their own home or move to live in their own home. The program serves Minnesotans of all ages who have a disability and have MA along with a home care services or waivered services. Sue is an Occupational Therapist by background and has worked in the field of AT for over 20 years. She received her Assistive Technology Professional certification from the Rehabilitation Engineering AT Society of North America in 2013. Sue is an elected member of the RESNA board of directors and received the Emerging Leaders award at the end of June 2018 at the RESNA conference. Sue has presented both locally and nationally on the topic of Assistive Technology.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employment.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Member of the RESNA board of directors.
Drew Redepenning, ATP
Technology for HOME, Assistive Technology Specialist, Biomedical Engineer
Biography
Drew Redepenning is a Biomedical Engineer and Assistive Technology Practitioner who has over three years of experience in the field of assistive technology. He formerly worked as the Assistive Technology Specialist at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minnesota. He currently works as an Assistive Technology Specialist for Technology for HOME performing in-home assistive technology assessments. Drew also remains involved with Courage Kenny’s assistive technology department as a volunteer. In addition, Drew volunteers his time handling all assistive technology services for St. Margaret’s Center in Albany, New York and performs assistive technology services for Albany Medical Center. His primary focuses are in environmental access, adaptive gaming, device access, vocational technology, and developing custom assistive technology solutions. He has presented both locally and nationally on the topic of assistive technology. Drew is also currently an M.D. student at Albany Medical College in New York, hoping to pursue a future career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Relevant Financial Relationship: YesDrew Redepenning receives a salary from Technology for HOME, for whom he works as an Assistive Technology Specialist.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No