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MassMATCH Quarterly News: Winter 2017

In This Edition:

Considering Amazon Echo or Google Home? Remember to Consider the Person!

By now, you’ve probably heard the news: Google has stepped into the “smart speaker” market with Google Home, a direct rival to Amazon’s Echo (aka “Alexa”). For the past two years, Echo users have been “asking Alexa” for the weather, setting reminders, playing Amazon music or Audible books, and searching for information online. Now, with Google Home, we can also say “OK Google” to access the web.

Priced under $200, both the Amazon Echo and Google Home offer exciting possibilities for individuals with disabilities. These devices provide hands-free, always-on access to internet-based services and information. Just as important, they can serve as the centerpiece of a voice-controlled smart home—“OK Google, turn on the fan!”

So how do you decide which one is right?

First, the basic principles of assistive technology (AT) still apply. Are these devices a good fit for the user? While the Echo and Home have impressive capabilities, their access methods are limited. “Voice control doesn’t work for everyone,” reminds Cathy Bly, Coordinator of the MassMATCH AT Regional Center in Boston.

MassMATCH Quarterly spoke with Cathy Bly about these new smart speaker assistants, as well as Eric Oddleifson, Assistant Vice President of Assistive Technology and Community Support Services at Easter Seals–MA, which operates the Boston AT Regional Center (ATRC). MassMATCH funds two ATRCs in Massachusetts that support individuals with disabilities, family members, educators, therapists, and others in making informed decisions about assistive technology. While the centers don’t yet have Google Home available for loan or demonstration, Cathy and Eric offered insight into this emerging consumer tech and reminded us to focus on real-world usability.

The excitement around Echo—and now potentially Home—reminds Eric of the moment the iPad was introduced and how it changed the conversation around AAC (speech-generating devices). “Before tablets and smartphones, AAC meant standalone communication devices. Then mobile devices arrived, loaded with apps, and suddenly everyone—especially schools—thought they could be used for everything. But that just isn’t the case.”

With smart speakers, a user’s speech must be loud and clear enough for Echo or Home to respond. Echo doesn’t work if Alexa doesn’t understand you. In this video demonstrating the hearing limitations of Amazon Echo and Google Home, the reviewer notes that if you ask the speaker to play music and the volume is loud, it may not hear your request to shut off!

So far, the Echo seems to be a favorite among individuals with visual impairments, notes Cathy Bly, who is visually impaired herself. “I have friends who have Amazon Echo Dots throughout their homes [the $50 version of the Echo]. They love them,” she says. “They’re also popular with some people who have physical disabilities.”

In fact, one longtime MassMATCH supporter recently overheard her husband—who has a spinal cord injury—talking to someone in another room. When she asked who he was speaking with, she was surprised to learn it was his new Echo Dot reading him a book. “I didn’t even know he had it,” she said with a laugh. “He set it up all by himself!”

Not everyone finds setup so simple, though. Eric points out that while connecting an Echo to your Amazon Audible account or a streaming music service is one thing, configuring it for environmental control is something else entirely. “It can be pretty involved,” he explains. With years of experience as an AT specialist at Easter Seals, Eric is no stranger to configuring environmental control solutions. “Older Environmental Control Units could cost thousands of dollars. Now, consumer products are making this kind of access more attainable. But there are still trade-offs.”

The commercials, of course, make it look effortless. “OK Google, turn on the lights!” But neither Google Home nor Amazon Echo comes with these abilities out of the box. They require setup with additional “third-party hardware” like Philips Hue or Insteon. To get a smart speaker to control your Philips Hue lights, for instance, users must first create light groups and assign them to specific voice commands. If just hearing “Xbox” makes you cringe, this setup process might not be for you (unless you can delegate it to someone who enjoys that kind of thing).

Each of these third-party devices must be configured through its own app to communicate with Home or Echo, which can clutter your smartphone experience. And voice commands are limited—you’ll need to say “trigger” if you want to use Philips Hue with Echo, for example.

That’s why traditional Environmental Control Units (ECUs), like non-tablet AAC devices, will always have a place, Eric reminds us. “They’re built to be customized around the needs of individuals with disabilities.”

Cathy Bly agrees. “It’s important that people know we offer a wide range of environmental control options at the ATRC. We have switch access for those who can’t use voice, including sip-and-puff switches. These can be connected to a computer for appliance control or used with a Samsung tablet and the Anymote app to control a TV. There are also other voice control options. We’re here to help people explore what works best for their unique abilities, needs, and goals.”

Interested in exploring Amazon Echo for environmental control? The ATRC in Boston has the Insteon Hub starter kit available for demonstration with Amazon Echo. Insteon expands Echo’s capabilities, offering potential voice control of lights, thermostats, fans, security cameras, and more. (It can also enable motion-sensor control without Echo.)

If you’d like to try the Echo on its own, Boston offers it through the loan program for up to four weeks. (Pittsfield has Echo available for demonstration only.) Google Home is currently on the ATRC wish list.

For a side-by-side comparison of Amazon Echo and Google Home features and “skills,” check out this detailed CNET review. (Spoiler: Echo comes out ahead on environmental control; Google Home takes the lead for entertainment.)

Reminder: MassMATCH does not endorse, represent, or guarantee any product, device, or information mentioned in this email or on its website. MassMATCH has not reviewed, tested, or evaluated any product or device referenced here.

Amazon Echo as Assistive Technology

by Daniel Mayo, Director of the MassMATCH AT Regional Center in Pittsfield (operated by UCP-Berkshire)

The Amazon Echo is a great example of a consumer product with real assistive technology potential. The Echo is a stationary speaker and virtual assistant that responds to voice commands. By default, it answers to the name “Alexa.” To activate it, users must say “Alexa” before asking a question.

You can ask Alexa things like “What time is it?” “What’s today’s date?” or “What’s the weather like today?” Alexa can also help users manage their day by adding events to a calendar, setting reminders, and keeping a to-do list. If you’re running low on something, just ask Alexa to add it to your shopping list. When you’re at the store, open the Echo app to access your list. You’ll never forget the milk again.

For some users, Alexa’s ability to play music or audiobooks is one of its most valuable features. Playing music throughout a room can be soothing and provide a sense of calm. For users who can no longer read printed material, access to audiobooks or news and weather updates might be exactly what they need.

Alexa truly becomes assistive technology when paired with smart devices like Belkin WeMo or Philips Hue. With just their voice, users in bed or a wheelchair can control various elements in their environment. Lights can be turned on or off, and a fan or air conditioner can be operated independently. Smart switches and thermostats can also be added and controlled by voice.

Alexa can even be used to place orders from Amazon.com using voice commands. For users with mobility limitations, this is often much easier than going to the store or waiting on a family member or caregiver. It restores a measure of independence.

The Amazon Echo was designed to make life easier for everyone. But for assistive technology professionals, it’s a powerful example of how a mainstream product can be adapted to support individuals with disabilities. The Echo offers a path to greater independence for many users—and at a fraction of the cost of traditional Environmental Control Units.

For comments or questions please email the author, Daniel Mayo, at dmayo@ucpberkshire.org.

This article was first published March 18th, 2017 at the UCP-Berkshire Assistive Technology Blogs

Borrow What You Need!

How the AT Regional Center in Pittsfield helped Andrew find his voice

Andrew Pellerin enjoying his TouchChat communication device

It’s not uncommon for insurance providers to take months approving assistive technology for their members, and those delays often create serious setbacks for individuals who rely on that equipment. But what happens when the recipient is a two-year-old with language delays and every month matters? That was the situation last year when Andrew Pellerin was prescribed a communication device by the Speech-Language Pathology Program at Boston Children’s Hospital.

His mother, Jill, was grateful to have found the speech program at Children’s. A neurologist at Baystate Medical Center had referred them after an MRI revealed Andrew had suffered a pediatric stroke. At Children’s, Andrew was evaluated for AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), and TouchChat was prescribed and provided on a one-month loan. With the device, Andrew could begin developing communication skills, find new ways to express himself, and give his parents a better understanding of what he knew and how he felt.

Learning to use TouchChat, however, was understandably slow for a two-year-old. At first, Andrew didn’t see it as a communication tool—just another iPad to play with. To figure out what he wanted for a snack, Jill often had to line up different options and have him choose, a process she was eager to move beyond. But a single month with the device wasn’t enough for Andrew to learn how to use it or for insurance to approve the purchase.

In fact, Jill’s insurer required Andrew to “show progress” using the loaned TouchChat before they would authorize coverage. “It was ridiculous,” Jill says. “He was supposed to go up to the device and make a request before they’d approve it! There were so many layers of understanding he needed to get there. And he was two!”

Jill was devastated. Andrew was about to lose access to his communication device. All toddlers need continuity in their language and social-emotional development—but for a child recovering from a stroke, it’s especially critical. Children’s Hospital needed their device back, but losing ground wasn’t an option.

It took more than eight months, but Jill eventually got Andrew approved for his own AAC device. She knew how much was at stake and refused to give up. When her sister suggested she contact United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County, she didn’t hesitate.

UCP-Berkshire partners with MassMATCH to run an AT Regional Center (ATRC), where anyone can explore and borrow assistive technology—including AAC systems. “We were happy to set up a loan of TouchChat tailored to Andrew’s needs,” says Dan. “That’s what we’re here for.”

AT devices are loaned free of charge through the ATRCs, typically for two to four weeks. When no one else is waiting, loans are often extended. In Andrew’s case, the TouchChat stayed with him until his own device was finally approved by insurance. “I honestly don’t know what we would’ve done without Dan Mayo,” Jill says. “If it weren’t for UCP, Andrew wouldn’t be where he is now with his language.”

Today, Andrew is three and attending preschool. “He’s become so independent with his device—his teachers are thrilled,” Jill says. “He uses it to pick out his snacks and meals. And he uses it to tell me ‘NO!’ like any three-year-old. I worked with him nonstop, and having that device the whole time made all the difference. Without the TouchChat, I don’t think we’d realize how much Andrew understands and can learn. Watching him grow has been incredible.”

Listening to Persons with Paralysis

Regional Focus Groups Identify the Need for a Surprising New Initiative

This winter, MassMATCH had the opportunity to apply for a grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The Foundation’s “High Impact Innovative Technology Assistance Grants” offer up to $75,000 to state AT Act programs—such as MassMATCH in Massachusetts—to support projects that enhance quality of life for individuals living with paralysis. For most of us, “innovative technology” typically brings to mind cutting-edge tools like robotic arms, exoskeletons, or smart homes. So imagine our surprise when focus groups in Central and Western Massachusetts pointed to something far more basic: access to wheelchair accessible scales and digital pressure mapping.

To identify community needs and shape the grant proposal, MassMATCH began by meeting with its AT Advisory Committee, which includes individuals with disabilities, family members, professionals, and agency representatives. Then, in collaboration with the Greater Boston Spinal Cord Injury Association, the Center for Living and Working in Worcester (an Independent Living Center), and United Cerebral Palsy-Berkshire, MassMATCH held a series of focus groups across the state. During these sessions, care was taken not to introduce pre-conceived ideas. Instead, participants were asked open-ended questions to surface genuine regional priorities.

Initial brainstorming with the AT Advisory Committee had suggested improving access to mobile technologies, such as tablets, for fostering social connections. That theme was echoed in the first focus group, held at Spaulding Rehabilitation in Boston, along with interest in voice-activated environmental controls. But as the team moved west, the message changed significantly. Participants at both the Worcester and Pittsfield focus groups raised a recurring frustration: “It’s been 25 years since the ADA passed, and I still have nowhere to get weighed!” said one Worcester participant. Others shared similar stories: “I use the scrap metal yard to weigh myself” (Pittsfield), and “My doctor can’t weigh me, so I go to the post office or UPS” (both cities).

In Pittsfield, the need for digital pressure mapping emerged alongside the need for accessible scales. Two participants had spent weeks at home or in hospitals recovering from pressure ulcers. Their message was clear: monitoring weight, seating, and positioning was essential to their health, independence, and participation in the community. But they lacked access to the tools that make that possible.

To better assess this regional access gap, MassMATCH conducted a follow-up survey with spinal cord injury support group members. Among 21 respondents from Pittsfield and Springfield, many reported limited or no access to wheelchair-accessible scales or digital pressure mapping. Forty-two percent said they do not get weighed at all, and 21% do so less than once per year. Thirty-one percent had never used digital pressure mapping, while 47% had only used it once in their lives. Strikingly, 94.7% expressed a desire for improved access to both resources.

“It’s about how much time you can stay sitting upright during the day,” a Worcester participant explained. “We’ve had to hold birthday parties in our bedroom when my husband couldn’t sit up. Good seating and positioning keep you out in the world longer. That’s why I want to use a pressure map at home—to figure out what works.”

Another Pittsfield participant said he needed his weight to properly calibrate his wheelchair cushion and avoid exceeding equipment limits. One needed it for sizing adaptive recreation gear like skis and handcycles. Another hoped pressure mapping could help him understand how various activities affect his body and explore better positioning for longer participation.

In response to this input, MassMATCH proposed the Weight and Seating Independence Project. If funded, the initiative will place wheelchair-accessible scales in Independent Living Centers throughout Central and Western Massachusetts. It will also add portable scales to the MassMATCH Device Loan Program and offer digital pressure mapping equipment for loan to individuals, families, and clinicians. During the grant period, trainings will be held on using the technology, and long-term device demonstrations and loans will continue beyond the grant term at UCP-Berkshire.

The Reeve Foundation is clear that “innovation” doesn’t have to mean high-tech. It can mean using existing tools in new ways or introducing effective methods in underserved regions. In Central and Western Massachusetts, individuals with spinal cord injuries are calling for something fundamental: more control over their bodies, their health, and their ability to solve problems independently. MassMATCH’s proposed solution aims to deliver just that—by providing access to equipment on the user’s terms and in their own environment.

Cross your fingers. Grant awards will be announced February 14, 2017.

Job Announcement: REquipment Program Director

REquipment, Inc. announces the departure of Chuck Smith, and the position of Program Director is now open.

REquipment Program Director – Job Description

The Program Director oversees operations for REquipment, a durable medical equipment (DME) and assistive technology (AT) reuse initiative serving people with disabilities and seniors throughout Massachusetts. This leadership role is responsible for managing program operations, marketing and outreach, staff training, and ensuring high program quality and user satisfaction. The Program Director is part of the senior management team and supervises both direct and partner staff to meet performance and service goals.

This position is based in the Worcester area and requires travel across the state. Ideal candidates will hold a bachelor’s degree in a human services field, along with 5–10 years of experience in program implementation and staff management. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to the program mission, outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, and deep knowledge of disability services. A consumer-driven mindset is essential. Personal or professional familiarity with DME and/or AT is preferred.

For the complete job description and to apply, please contact Karen Langley, klangley@dmereuse.org.

REquipment Inventory Highlights

REquipment: Choose to Reuse your DME

REquipment provides refurbished, gently-used medical equipment to adults, children and seniors throughout Massachusetts. Devices are provided free of charge. As of this writing, items available at the REquipment inventory include:

  • 1 Pediatric walker by Guardian in Worcester
  • 1 Rolling Activity Chair (for a child) in Worcester
  • 1 Gait trainer by Rifton (for a child) in Worcester
  • 4 Manual lifts (for adults) in Worcester
  • 1 Heavy duty Trapeze (for bariatric adult) in Canton
  • 2 Trapeze lifts (for adults) in Worcester
  • 1 Hemi walker by Guardian (for an adult) in Worcester
  • 1 Jenx Giraffe (for a child) in Worcester
  • 1 Winnie Walker Go-Lite by Drive Medical (for an adult) in Worcester
  • 1 Rolling shower chair (for an adult) in Worcester
  • 1 Sliding shower chair with back (for an adult) in Canton
  • 1 Transfer shower/tub bench by Carex (for an adult) in Worcester
  • 1 Prone stander by Lecky (for a child) in Canton
  • 3 Lecky prone standers (size 2 for teen/small adult) in Worcester
  • 1 Stander with Tray (Marvel Free Stander) by Drive Medical (for child) in Worcester
  • 1 Tumble Forms Tri-Stander by Tumbleform (for a child) in Worcester
  • 1 Invacare Hemi Height manual wheelchair (for an adult) in Worcester
  • 1 Invacare Hemi Height folding wheelchair (for an adult) in Worcester
  • 1 Pediatric Wheelchair (TriPod LT) in Pittsfield
  • 1 Quantum Tilt in Space Wheelchair (for an adult) in Amherst
  • 1 Quickie2 Wheelchair (for an adult) in Canton
  • 1 Quickie Tilt (Zippie Tilt) for a child in Canton
  • 1 Tracer SX5 Reclining Manual Wheelchair (for an adult) in Canton
  • 2 Iris Tilt-in-space manual wheelchairs (for adults) in Worcester and Canton
  • 1 Solara 3G Tilting Manual Wheelchair (for adult) in Worcester
  • 2 Transport Wheelchairs (for an adults) in Worcester
  • 1 Jazzy 600 power wheelchairs in Amherst
  • 1 Jazzy basic power wheelchair (for an adult) in Worcester
  • 1 Hoveround MPV5 power wheelchair (for an adult) in Worcester

Have equipment to donate? Learn more at this REquipment webpage.

GetATStuff Highlights

Get A.T. Stuff logo: Assistive Technology Exchange in New England and New York. Shows recycling arrows around the states.

The Assistive Technology Exchange in New England and New York is the “Craig’s List” for AT. Currently there are dozens of items posted for sale or free.

As of this writing, GetATStuff highlights include:

  • 3 Vision-related items, including a Juliet Pro Braille Embosser for $1,500 OBO in Providence, RI.
  • 1 Hearing-related item: a Superprint 4425 TTY for $300 OBO in North Providence, RI.
  • 1 Servox talking device for $280 OBO in Delanson, NY.
  • 50 Mobility, Seating, and Positioning related items, including a FREE ceiling lift system in Waltham, MA.
  • 10 Daily Living related items, including a XL Pivot Bath Chair for FREE in Charlestown, MA.
  • 5 Environmental Adaptation related items including an electric sit to stand for $600 OBO in Norwich, CT.
  • 11 Transportation and Vehicle Modification related items, including the PHC-3 Portable Hand Controls for $200 OBO in Pepperell, MA.
  • 4 Computer-related items, including a Footime Foot Mouse with programmable pedal for $75 OBO in North Providence, RI.

Go to GetATStuff to search items by category or geography or to list what you need.
Learn about additional AT reuse sites.