Home Automation + Disability Access
= Environmental Control
An Environmental Control Unit (ECU) is an electronic device that assists a person with a significant disability to control their surroundings. It helps them perform many daily tasks and make choices independently. It provides a “technical bridge” which gives users independent and spontaneous control of devices such as television, telephone, heating and cooling, computer/tablets and lights. Many electrical devices can be operated ‘out of the box’, while some can be controlled with a small amount of additional equipment. The user of an ECU controls the system by operating a switch or screen (including smartphones) matched to their physical ability. Speech recognition and other input methods are also available. The benefits of an Environmental Control Unit impact more than the individual user. These systems can help relieve the pressure of providing constant care to a loved one by passing control of many activities back to the individual. Users can switch on a light, change television channels, adjust the bed, make a phone call, send an email when they want to, instead of waiting for a carer to operate equipment for them.
HouseMate Accessible Mobile Phone with ECU
We are proud to be the sole Australian importers of the HouseMate which recently won the ATAAC Professional Jury award for Best Product in 2018. ATAAC is the international forum for assistive technology (AT) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).HouseMate allows a user to independently control their smartphone/tablet and use it to operate appliances at work or home. It can be used with Android or IOS devices. It can be operated with its built-in switch, or you can connect up to five external switches. HouseMate also integrates with the phone or tablet’s Siri or Google Voice control