Assistive Technology Improves the Lives of People with MS

By Mitch Sturgeon

1 min read

Who’s old enough to remember the Saturday morning cartoon The Jetsons?

For you youngsters, The Jetsons depicted a future world where humans are no smarter, but everything around us from our houses to our modes of transportation are.

Has the future arrived?

Sort of. And, for those of us living with disabilities, it’s here just in time.

Smart home devices are a type of assistive technology, or AT. As an engineer, I have the skills to work with all sorts of AT. As a person with a significant disability, I have the need. For me, creating a smart home is both life-enhancing and good clean fun.

I’ve put together a video with a mere sampling of the technology I employ in my home. Enjoy.

Technology in the home

Exploring assistive technology

I wish I could help everyone set up their smart home, but of course, I can’t. Today, however, there are resources to assist people with disabilities as they explore assistive technology. In my state, we have an organization called Maine CITE, which is a great place to start your AT journey. I bet your region has something similar.

Talk to experts about funding opportunities

These enhancements can be expensive. But, again, talk to the experts in your part of the world about both the technology and funding opportunities. Prioritize the AT that will make the most significant difference in your life, and start there.

Good luck!

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busker46 Member
This is so cool, Mitch! It drives me nuts that I can’t open my front door by myself if somebody knocks on it. I’m excited to do some exploring as to how I can make it open automatically with a voice command. Thanks for showing us what’s possible!
1. Mitch Sturgeon Contributor
 Deborah, the ability to open and close your door by pushing a button or issuing a command is so liberating. One thing you'll want to ask each vendor is whether the door opens and closes easily for people who use the knob. Some of these door openers put a real drag on the door for all the other people in your household who don't use the button or the voice command. Good luck!
2. busker46 Member
 Thanks for the tip, Mitch. I have shared your video with all my family, and they’re excited about helping me through the process. Unfortunately, I guess it’s all going to have to wait until after we get the “all clear” re CoVid19. I live in a small community in Alberta, Canada and we’re all in isolation, too. I hope you and your family are all well and staying safe. xo
Kim Dolce Moderator & Contributor
Mitch! Very impressive 😀 What happens during a power outage? Would you be stranded inside the house with no means of escape? Also, can you operate the stove with voice commands? And smaller appliances such as a blender, toaster oven, food processor, vacuum cleaner, microwave . . . ?
f5hwo4 Member
My Roomba's and Dreametech mopper can be voice commanded, I have them schedule so they clean on their own. Some new cooks tops are voiced command, when I remodeled our kitchen the top I bought had the set up on it. The only problem was it was gas not electric, they told us if we had bought the $1,200 hood vent for it we could turn the vent on and off with Alexis. Power outage is something to consider, we had a tornado go by our house a couple of years ago. We were downstairs in our powered recliners. The tornado takes out the power it is pitch black and I am struggling, trying to get out of the recliner. I finally rolled out, next time I hide from a tornado I am not reclining. When you lose your electricity you lose your WiFi, we were lucky only a little roof damage and no electricity for a couple of days. Potter
1. Mitch Sturgeon Contributor
 <inline-mention username="f5hwo4" user-id="3977349"/> , excellent examples of appliances that are smart. You are so right about power outages. I'd never thought about the power recliners. My power wheelchair operates on a battery, of course, so I am never stuck in the recline mode, tornado or not! I am working on a public housing project where we are making all the apartments accessible, and we are adding Roomba and cooktop controls like you have. 
2. Erin Rush Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="f5hwo4" user-id="3977349"/>, thanks for sharing! And, yikes! Sorry about the near miss with the tornado and being stuck in the recliner (in the dark)! Well, now you know what to do differently the next time a tornado blows through your neck of the woods! Best, Erin, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member.
RestonVAmom Member
Setting up a smart home isn’t hard. I have the Echo smart speakers in every room or within hearing distance on the same floor which is where to start. She controls devices, can make calls, stream music. First smart device for me: Smart thermostat. That way no matter my abilities that day I can control the ac (or heat but that’s rarely on IYKYK). Next all lamps are on plugs, as is my dehumidifier. I have keypad door locks so family and friends could come help if needed (can also give code to first responders). Doorbell camera so I can see who’s there without having to get up if that’s hard. A recent luxury spend was a smart stove. It won’t turn on the oven for you, but it will let you remote turn off, again if your legs aren’t cooperating that moment. You can also set an e-reader or tablet up with voice commands to turn book pages, launch apps. If I had to have MS, I’m sure glad it’s at a time with tech to help!
1. Erin Rush Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="RestonVAmom" user-id="4681388"/>, thanks for sharing these tips for setting up a smart home! I have to admit, I am easily intimidated be technology, so I appreciate you demystiying the process a bit. Best, Erin, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member.
f5hwo4 Member
A couple of weeks ago I saw story on the news about a new house keeping robot that is suppose to be for sale in about 5 years. The cost will be around 10,000 dollars, my sister said who would buy something like that and I said I would. I know it sounds expensive, compare it to the fees it takes to hire people to do the work for you for a year. We had some remodeling done last summer and hired a company to clean the house of sheet rock dust and sawdust. They only sent one person that needed a bath, a swiffer and a vac. They were suppose to send a crew, she cleaned all day but didn't do a good job. We had paid 600 dollars in advance, put us off on hiring cleaning help Potter.
1. Erin Rush Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="f5hwo4" user-id="3977349"/> (Potter), that would put me off hiring a cleaning team/person, too! It is hard to find a good cleaning team. So, yes, investing your money in a housekeeping robot doesn't sound that far fetched. Best, Erin, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member.