VA Awards $200,000 Assistive Technology Grant to SimplyHome, LLC, to Empower Independent Living for Veterans and Servicemembers
SimplyHome will develop a platform bridging the gap between voice controls and a wide range of assistive technology in the home
ASHEVILLE, N.C., Aug. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SimplyHome, LLC, a leader in the field of customized assistive technology, is pleased to announce that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded them a $200,000 Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology (SAHAT) Grant to develop a new platform simplifying the user experience of voice commands to control assistive technology in the home environment of Veterans and Servicemembers.
The purpose of the SAHAT Grant Program, authorized by Congress, is to expand home modification options for Veterans who apply for VA's Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) benefit, and to augment their options for living independently in their own homes.
When using the new SimplyHome platform, Veterans and Servicemembers with physical disabilities will be able to issue single voice commands to accomplish complex sequences of pre-customized actions. A single command such as "time to go to bed" can lock doors, set the thermostat, and turn off lights in the home.
"Empowering our Veterans to control their home environments is important not only for the quality of life of the individual Veteran and his/her family, but also vital to maintaining the fabric of our communities that depend on these Servicemembers," says Jason Ray, Vice President of Business Development at SimplyHome.
While the platform that will be developed through the VA Grant is new, SimplyHome has been providing innovative in-home assistive technology solutions since 2004. These solutions address a broad range of concerns, including the management of an individual's medication, home environment, and health, and can provide immediate notifications to family members or caregivers of the individual.
North Carolina State Senator Thom Tillis and State Representative Mark Meadows recently expressed their support of the VA grant. Tillis attested, "As our communities face an increasing demand for this technology, I believe that SimplyHome will help meet the technological advancements needed."
In a recent Benefits and Services report published by the VA, more than 4,000,000 Veterans received Disability Compensation in 2015. The SAHAT Grant project, totaling $783,421, will be in effect through September 30, 2017.
About SimplyHome:
SimplyHome designs and installs wireless technology products and related care-focused services. The company is committed to providing affordable and dignified solutions for independent living – specifically to aging and disabled populations nationwide. SimplyHome is known for its highly customizable systems that are tailored to meet each individual's specific needs.
To learn more about SimplyHome, visit our website or email [email protected].
This article was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Media Contact: Kristen Suttles, 1-828-684-8441, [email protected]
SOURCE SimplyHome, LLC
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