Assistive technology has become one of the most transformative forces in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It empowers people to make choices, live more independently, stay connected, and safely navigate their daily routines.
At KenCrest, we’ve seen firsthand that technology becomes truly life-changing when it’s customized around what people want, not what a program assumes they need. That philosophy is the heart of KenCrest’s Enabling Technology approach, which sets us apart from many organizations by centering personal goals before ever selecting a device or system. Our team begins every journey with a conversation: What would you like to do more easily or more independently? What feels challenging? What skills do you want to build? And from there, we tailor the tools to the person, not the person to the tools.
Here are six assistive technologies that are not just changing lives, they’re helping people build independence, confidence, and autonomy in ways that are meaningful to them.
1. Voice-Activated Devices Smart Home Automation
Voice-activated devices like Alexa or Google Assistant are often the first tools KenCrest introduces because they’re simple, approachable, and make everyday tasks more intuitive. These devices allow people to use natural conversation to check the weather, search for information, review calendars, set reminders, play music, or control smart home features, especially helpful for those who benefit from hands-free interaction. Our Enabling Technology team introduces these tools through hands-on demonstrations, starting with small, confidence-boosting tasks and gradually adding features based on the person’s goals. We personalize each device with customized reminders, routines, and preferences, and we provide ongoing support to ensure the technology feels comfortable, empowering, and truly useful in daily life.
2. IoT (Internet of Things) Smart Devices
Smart devices like automated lights, thermostats, appliances, sensors, and health-tracking tools can make daily routines easier by operating independently or being controlled from a phone or tablet. These technologies help people stay safe, maintain healthy habits, and receive helpful reminders, and some even use AI to recognize patterns that support independence. At KenCrest, our Enabling Technology team introduces these tools through hands-on practice and customizes each setup to the person’s preferences and goals, ensuring the technology adds meaningful support rather than unnecessary complexity.
3. Medication Management Tools
Medication adherence can be challenging, but adaptive medication tools—smart dispensers, timed reminders, visual prompts, and automated alarms—help people manage their health consistently and confidently. KenCrest integrates these tools into a person’s daily rhythm, using them not as monitoring devices but as confidence-builders. For many individuals, using a medication management system is a major step toward taking ownership of their health, and KenCrest’s team supports that journey through coaching, reassurance, and celebration of each milestone.
4. Safety Sensors
Technology like stove monitors, door sensors, fall detection tools, and emergency alert systems help people live more independently while maintaining safety and peace of mind. KenCrest uses these technologies to remove barriers rather than impose restrictions. For example, someone who wants to cook independently may use a sensor that automatically shuts off a stove if left unattended; rather than limiting the person’s access, the tool expands it. This philosophy—technology as a gateway, not a gatekeeper—is one of the key elements that differentiates KenCrest’s Enabling Technology program from more traditional models.
5. Assistive Apps for Daily Living
Smartphone and tablet apps for budgeting, scheduling, emotional regulation, learning skills, or navigating transportation offer endless opportunities for independence. KenCrest doesn’t rely on preset app lists; instead, we explore tools based on what the person wants to achieve. Someone learning a new job task may benefit from a video modeling app; someone working toward financial independence may use a budgeting app; someone managing anxiety may use a grounding or breathing app. The flexibility of assistive apps makes them powerful, but the personalization is what makes them transformational, and that’s where KenCrest’s approach excels.
Assistive technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, but the real transformation happens when it’s used with purpose, intention, and person-centered creativity. At KenCrest, our Enabling Technology program isn’t just about giving people devices; it’s about giving people options. It’s about expanding independence, building confidence, and empowering individuals to live the lives they choose. When technology is introduced thoughtfully and collaboratively, it doesn’t just change tasks; it changes possibilities. And for the people we support, those possibilities are growing every day.
Technology is opening new doors every day, and we want to open them with you. Connect with our Enabling Technology team to learn more, explore options, or partner with us to support someone’s journey toward greater independence.
