by AbilityNet
AbilityNet is a UK charity providing free technology support and digital accessibility guidance for disabled and older people. Its freely available library of factsheets covers assistive technology topics for a global audience, written in plain language without requiring technical expertise. The smart home factsheet is one of the most widely shared in the collection.
The guide walks readers through choosing a smart speaker, pairing it with smart lighting, heating, door locks, and entertainment systems, and setting up voice routines for daily living tasks. It covers both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant ecosystems and addresses common accessibility considerations such as speech recognition accuracy for users with atypical speech patterns. Linked companion factsheets cover voice recognition software in greater depth and individual smart home device categories including smart TVs and environment controls.
Disabled people and older adults who want to control their home environment independently using voice — particularly people with limited mobility, low vision, or upper-limb impairments for whom traditional switches, remotes, and controls are difficult or impossible to use.
The Urban Xplorer is a lightweight, adjustable folding white cane made from aerospace aluminium, designed for blind and low-vision users navigating city environments. It comes in four sizes (Small through X-Large) and features a redesigned dome tip, hardened aluminium joints, and a foam grip. The cane is built to handle common urban obstacles such as cobblestones, sewer grates, and uneven sidewalks.
Awarewolf
TAMI is a wearable assistive device designed for blind and vision-impaired users that integrates obstacle detection technology into a modern glasses frame. It uses haptic vibrations to alert wearers to upper-body-level obstacles that a white cane cannot detect. The device aims to increase independent mobility and confidence during travel.
Lighthouse Tech
The Awarewolf All Terrain Cane is a titanium folding mobility cane designed for blind and low-vision hikers navigating rugged outdoor terrain. It features an adjustable foam grip handle, a rolling ball tip, and a reinforced stainless-steel folding joint capable of bearing the user's weight. The cane retains the familiar form factor of a traditional red-and-white mobility cane while providing enhanced stability on uneven ground.
Awarewolf
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