Smart Tech Integration in Inpatient and Community Settings: Strategies for Effective Implementation 1205

Mainstream smart home technologies (MSHT), such as smart speakers and home automation devices, offer great potential as assistive technologies (AT) to support independence and participation among individuals with disabilities. However, effective implementation requires personalized support due to the complexity of device selection and integration. This symposium presents insights from two MSHT interventions. The first was implemented in community settings and used structured assessments, user-centered goals, and personalized training to match individuals with appropriate MSHT. Tools like the ASSIST Functional Performance Index and a smart tech demo station helped clients identify priorities and trial devices, resulting in significant gains in independence and satisfaction. The second project explores retrofitting inpatient units with MSHT to improve patient experience and build readiness for home use. Together, these studies demonstrate how mainstream technologies, when adapted through user-centered design and integrated into care workflows, can be reimagined as effective AT solutions.