BOULDER, CO, Jul 06 (MARKET WIRE) --
A special group of individuals with developmental disabilities will be
celebrating their independence this July in a unique way -- by moving
into a home that uses technology to allow them to live fuller and more
independent lives.
In May, Imagine!, a private, not-for-profit corporation that has been
providing supports for people who have developmental disabilities in order
for them to lead fulfilling lives since 1963, completed construction on
one of its most ambitious projects ever -- the development of the Bob and
Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder, CO. The Charles SmartHome provides
permanent affordable housing for eight individuals with physical,
cognitive, and developmental disabilities, and incorporates cutting edge
technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of services and
supports for the residents.
As the first such home in the nation, the Charles SmartHome will serve as
a model for the future of residential care for people with cognitive
disabilities. It will enhance the lives and independence of residents,
augment the effectiveness of staff as caregivers, and provide cost and
energy savings to Imagine!.
In addition, the SmartHome model has enormous potential to impact groups
of people with related concerns (dementia, autism, chronic mental
illness, and Alzheimer's), as the home will provide a testing ground for
"SmartSupports" -- assistive technologies that can be used in family
homes to keep individuals with developmental and cognitive disabilities
living in their own homes for as long as possible.
The Charles SmartHome is the culmination of Imagine!'s years of research
in the field of assistive technology, visits to demonstration sites in
Oregon, Florida and Indiana, and extensive interface with the University
of Colorado's Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities.
Construction on the Charles SmartHome was completed on May 15, and
residents began moving in July 1. All eight residents will be moved in by
the end of the month.
You can learn more about the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome by visiting
www.imaginesmarthomes.org.
The SmartHome project was created and implemented by Imagine!, which
provides support services to more than 2,500 Boulder and Broomfield County
citizens of all ages with developmental delays and cognitive disabilities
including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and mental retardation.
Learn more at www.imaginecolorado.org.
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Contact:
Fred Hobbs
(720) 274-2249
Email Contact
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