HomePortal – A Universal Home Environment for Individuals who are Blind or Have Visual Impairments.

Ironically people who are blind or have visual impairments that should benefit the most from technology, have great difficulty in interacting with modern home appliances and electronics. This is primarily due to a combination of a lack of accessible features, device complexity, or the lack of a centralized strategy. Current strategies do not incorporate reminders, the possible fixed income status of the individual, or warnings of potential safety issues, such as appliances may have been left on and unattended too long. Without the necessary supports, the growing aging in place trend could be compromised as age-related vision loss grows with the longer life expectancy and aging of the boomer generation. This project will demonstrate the technical merit, feasibility and cost effectiveness of combining commercially available modules, smartphone and tablet technology with an innovative approach and state-of-the-art software to deliver a universal console system. HomePortal will provide a seamless and interface to low cost modules and components and remove barriers in the home. Specific Phase I objectives include: 1) determine end user requirements, 2) develop a proof-of concept prototype of the system, and 3) evaluate of the utility of the prototype with actual elderly individuals who represent a cross-section of functional limitations.