Road to Responsibility (RTR; http://roadtoresponsibility.org), one of the region’s largest and most successful nonprofit organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is putting the finishing touches on a “smart home” at one of their group homes in Norwell serving people with complex needs, where assistive technology will be implemented to promote client independence.
The home will be run primarily through Alexa products, including window blinds, lights, mirrors, appliances, televisions, robot vacuums, doorbell, automatic trash containers, iPads, and thermostat. Other mechanisms controlled by assistive technology will include mattress pads that monitor sleep, pens that read text aloud, a microwave braille overlay and a number of entertainment-related devices.
Installation of the devices is anticipated over the next several weeks, at which time Road to Responsibility will hold an open house at the group home.
This creative approach to support residential clients is made possible through funding by the Pilgrim Bank Foundation, the HarborOne Foundation and the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.
“Our ‘smart house’ is certain to promote residents’ independence tremendously,” said Christopher White, Ed.D., CEO of Road to Responsibility. “We are beyond grateful to our sponsors for providing the funding to make it all happen and look forward to seeing this amazing technology in use.”
About Road to Responsibility, Inc.
Celebrating over 30 years of making lives better, Road to Responsibility, Inc. (RTR) was established in 1988 with the overarching belief that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to have full, rich, and rewarding lives in the community, and therefore works to provide the means, the opportunity, and the support necessary to allow citizens with disabilities to take their place as productive members of the community. RTR offers residential, work/employment, day habilitation and other day supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. RTR supports individuals with very diverse needs, including those with significant challenges who would otherwise go unserved if not for RTR. It succeeds where other organizations often fail, through the use of an integrated clinical behavioral approach. This model has proven successful and yielded positive results for the organization and the individuals served.
Road to Responsibility offers services to almost all the towns and communities throughout the South Shore and South Coast of Massachusetts, operates 49 residences as well as co-operative and supportive living apartments, and manages nine day-service locations that focus on education, employment, and community enrichment. Road to Responsibility’s main office is located at 1831 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA. For more information, please visit www.roadtoresponsibility.org.
