Systems Unlimited prides itself on providing individualized services that help people live their most independent and fulfilling lives. Often this leads to exploring new types of services to better support the people we serve. One such service is the use of assistive technology.
With a constant awareness of the growing need for technology in our services, Systems Unlimited created a Technology Integration Specialist position. While the necessity of this position is great, it took a few key events to lead to the lightbulb moment of creating this role.
Prior to the pandemic, the Coleman Institute from The University of Colorado visited Systems Unlimited to interview people within our services about technology and how it impacts their lives. During this process, everyone interviewed was asked if they had a cell phone. If the person responded no, they were asked if they wanted a cell phone. These simple questions made us realize that something needs to be in place to ensure the people we serve have access to the same day-to-day technologies as anyone else in the community.
While brainstorming solutions to this problem, the Covid 19 Pandemic made its way to Iowa. As we all remember, this was a time when nearly everyone was scrambling to upgrade their technology to persevere through a time of isolation. As this was happening, the Muscatine school district shifted one of its teachers into a Technology Strategist role. The purpose of this role was to work with fellow teachers to set up and learn the technology needed to best teach virtually.
These two instances gave Systems the idea to create a technology strategist to help people in our services
have access to technology that improves their independence and quality of life. In late 2020, Systems Unlimited was awarded a grant that allowed this new role to become a reality. Shortly after, Paul Mosely assumed the title of Technology Integration Specialist.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Paul to learn more about his role and how it assists the people we serve to live their best lives.
“The standard IT Department’s role is to support staff with their technological needs. Be its cyber security, learning new software, or fixing miscellaneous glitches,” Paul explained, “My position mimics this, but for the people we serve.”
Paul aims to help people gain a higher level of independence and quality of life primarily through assistive technology. There is often confusion about what assistive technology is and how it is used. When asked, Paul explained that most people think solely of electronics when they hear the word assistive technology. However, assistive technology can be any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system used to increase or maintain a person’s independence and the ability to do things they enjoy.
The way this technology looks can vary dramatically from person to person. Here are a few examples of people that Paul has helped during his time in this role:
Communication is an incredibly important part of our lives. If we want or need something, we simply talk to someone about it. For those who are considered non-verbal, expressing their needs is not as easy.
In these cases, electronic communication boards can help significantly. Paul has worked with several teams by introducing this technology and helping teach the people we serve and staff how to use it.
Most recently, Paul worked with Darren and his team to introduce an electronic communication board programmed with the correct vocabulary that met Darren’s needs.
Many will say the ability to choose where we live and who we live with is incredibly important. Losing that ability and being moved somewhere with more assistance and supervision is something we all typically think about with weary apprehension. This couldn’t be truer for Olivia.
Successfully living in our hourly services without roommates is very important to Olivia. As time passes, Olivia’s support needs are continually increasing due to a progressing diagnosis. When staff talk with Olivia about this increased need for staff support, Olivia adamantly states that she is strongly against moving into 24-hour site services or having roommates. This is a big concern for Olivia’s staff as she has been falling at night when staff is not present. At that point, Paul was brought into the team to see if anything could be done.
After some discussion, the team discovered that Olivia forgets to grab her walker at night when she gets up to use the restroom or grab a beverage. No walker, low vision, and slippery socks can be a very dangerous combination. To help Olivia remember her walker, Paul set up motion-activated sensors with pre-recorded prompts at her bedside. Prior to leaving at night, Olivia’s staff turn these motion sensors on. Then, if Olivia gets out of bed, the motion sensor is triggered and reminds her to grab her walker.
This technology has made it so that Olivia can maintain her independence for a while longer.
Video gaming is a huge joy to so many. However, there are times when people can no longer play the games they love due to limitations in mobility. With adaptive technology, people can find ways to play games using adaptive controllers and joysticks.
“Microsoft has been at the forefront of adaptive technology in gaming. Adaptive controllers are truly incredible. Map any function within the game. The options are limitless”.
Systems is currently collecting different types of adaptive gaming technology for people in our services to try out before committing to purchase their setup.
With the Technology Integration Specialist position still relatively new, Systems Unlimited is in what Paul refers to as a ‘discovery phase’. Paul works creatively to find solutions for people with limited resources. Looking to grow this program, Paul is communicating with several organizations throughout the U.S., specifically in states where assistive technology is a state-wide push, to learn what they have tried and find successful.
With the insights gained from talking with other organizations, Systems Unlimited is in the process of obtaining the funding that will allow us to partner with an external provider whose entire purpose is remote support technology. With such a partnership, Systems Unlimited will be able to provide custom-built and tailored technology that promotes independence for people with disabilities.
Learning about and providing the best services possible for people with disabilities is of extreme importance. Everyone deserves to live their best life.
“My favorite part of my job has always been talking and working with the people in our services,” Paul says, “Helping them learn how to problem solve and gain independence. Telling them that it is perfectly okay to be in control of this. To be able to do this in their own living space.”
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