ARATA 2012 Conference Presentation
MythBusters - are ECUs only gadgets or tools to independence?
Greg Killeen - AT Consumer and Advocate
Slide: 1
MythBusters - are ECUs only gadgets or tools to independence?
Greg Killeen - AT Consumer and Advocate
Slide: 2
Definitions:
Gadget -
"Any object that is interesting for its ingenuity or novelty rather than for its practical use",
or a;
"Gizmo , thingamejig, contraption or watchamacalllit"
Tool -
"Anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose", or;
"Something regarded as necessary to the carrying out of one's occupation or profession"
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Slide: 3
Question:
Are Environment Control Units (ECU) only gadgets or tools to independence?
Answer:
Well, the answer will be different depending on whether the person being asked has a
disability, is undertaking assessment and/or the prescription, is working for an insurance
company, is working for a government funded assistive technology program, and of
course it will depend on how much knowledge a person has about ECUs.
Presentation:
As a long-term user and advocate for the use of ECUs this presentation is aimed at
bridging the gap in the knowledge about ECUs for all stakeholders. I would like to share
with you my knowledge and experience of ECUs and how people with physical disability
can increase their autonomy, spontaneity and have greater independence through the
prescription, assessment, provision and use of Environment Control Units. And I aim to
bust the myth that ECUs are only gadgets and prove how ECUs are tools to
independence for people with disability.
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Firstly, I would like to assume that every person, regardless of whether they have a
disability or not, wants to have autonomy, spontaneity and be as independent as
possible. I believe most people want to live in the community and participate in society
as active citizens, and be able to fulfil their goals, reach their dreams and grasp the
opportunities that arise to enable them to have the best quality of life possible.
However, to achieve these wants and needs, people with physical disability will always
require physical assistance from support workers, and possibly from family members as
primary carers, to assist with physical tasks such as personal care, getting dressed,
moving between wheelchair and bed, cooking, meal preparations and possibly feeding
as well as domestic assistance such as cleaning, gardening, lawn mowing and shopping
etc. They will also need home modifications to improve access in and around the home
and various types of assistive technology for mobility such as wheelchairs, shower
chairs, electric high-low beds, lifting hoists & slings for mobility.
Although people with disability may have access to the above-mentioned personal
support, family assistance, home modifications and various types of assistive
technology, there are many people with physical disability that are unable to get simple
but essential tasks done when they want that people without a disability simply take for
granted.
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And even if a person with physical disability is assessed or categorised to require 24/7
support to live in the community, in reality, very few people have it, and not every person
will have family primary carers around 24/7 and probably would not want them around
24/7 anyway for various reasons. And having 24/7 support doesn't necessarily result in
people with physical disability having autonomy, spontaneity or being "independent".
So, what is in ECU?
Slide: 4
Question:
What is an ECU?
Answer:
An ECU is assistive technology (AT) that can enable people with disability, particularly
people with very limited mobility, to control lights/lamps and various types of products,
appliances (including computers) through different interfaces, such as the sound of the
user’s voice, eye gaze technology, any type of switch e.g. sip/puff, single switch or dual
switch, or possibly with the emerging 'mind switch'. With the use of timers, sensors
and/or a computer interface, the ECU can automate the home. Basically, an ECU can
enhance participation in a broad range of activities with many tangible and intangible
benefits at home, work, training, at school and higher education.
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Slide: 5
Different Types of ECU
Slide: 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10
What ECU & AT I use:

An ECU with voice control (although it can be operated with a switch)

Computer Interface (for home automation and direct control via PC keyboard)

An 8-1 infrared and radio frequency remote controller

Speech recognition software for a computer as well as a trackball

The ECU, 8-1 remote-control and computer interface control all of the same lights
and appliances

Compatible integrated system using x-10 modules

operate: air-conditioning, electric bed, television, VCR, Pay TV, door operators,
curtains, lights, radio and fan

computer interface automates the home products
Slide: 11 Run Video
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Slide: 12
The Benefits of ECUs
Think about what it is like to have to ask another person to do absolutely every basic
task all day−everyday. Such as turn the television on or off, change the station and/or
volume, turn lights or lamps on or off, close or open the curtains, open or close a door,
turn on or off the heating or cooling system or a fan, adjust the electric bed to relieve
pressure and/or for comfort as well as to answer or make or answer a telephone call just
to name a few. And often family, friends or a primary carer aren't always around, or they
could be busy, resting or in bed, when simple tasks are needed or wanted.
Furthermore, although ECUs can't replace the role of the support workers and primary
carers, ECUs can certainly help utilise a support worker's time better. An ECU can also
improve a person with disability's confidence, self-esteem as well as provide peace of
mind for family and friends when they know that the person with disability is able to
control of the lights, products and appliances and the telephone, particularly in
emergency situations.
And personally speaking, although I am totally reliant on my power wheelchair for my
total mobility, and while I'm in it can access remote controls, light switches, cordless and
mobile telephones, I still use my ECU for convenience and I am totally reliant on my
voice controlled ECU when lying down. And I can truly say that I value my ECU and
other controllers equally, if not greater than, than my power wheelchair.
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Although I am presenting with an emphasis on my own personal experience as a longterm AT consumer and advocate, the purpose of this presentation is not specifically
about a particular make, model or features of one ECU, switch or controller and/or the
products and appliances that can be controlled. The purpose is to influence all
stakeholders to be switched on and to understand how and why ECUs can increase
independence, spontaneity, autonomy and provide a greater quality of life for people
with disability.
I also believe the family and friends of a person with disability would have peace of mind
knowing that the person is able to live in the community with greater independence.
Knowing the person can stay at home alone and not being reliant on other people to do
basic tasks such as turning on lights when it gets dark, change television or radio
channels, operate heating and cooling systems, control and electric bed for comfort,
operate curtains, blinds or a front door as well as make a telephone call in the event of
an emergency.
Slide: 13
ECU Considerations:

What to control—TV, lights, appliances, telephone, bed, doors, curtains and
blinds etc?

Where to mount the ECU—wheelchair, bed, desk?
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
How to access/control the ECU—direct, external switch or switches, scanning,
voice?

Is the ECU consumer friendly and easily programmable/reprogrammable?

Is the ECU expandable to include extra or new products and devices?

Are there any cognitive issues limiting choices?

Will physical and cognitive abilities be changing over time?

Is the ECU available in Australia with appropriate technical support and backup?
Slide: 14
Government Funded AT Programs
I am aware that historically, people with disability who are totally reliant on state and
territory government funded assistive technology programs may have experienced
difficulty being provided with, or funded for, ECUs.
•
ECUs not being funded due to:
–
Lack of funding
–
Given low priority amongst other AT
–
Not being prescribed
–
Lack of knowledge or understanding of the benefits
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Slide: 15
Conclusion:
Disability doesn't discriminate! It can happen to anyone, any time and any place and it is
not 9 AM-5 PM Monday-Friday. It is 24/7 and there is no time off for weekends or public
holidays.
Every person with a disability is a unique individual, and their ability live in the
community and quality of life will be directly affected by the type and level of support
they have access to.
Regardless of the type and level of assistance provided by support workers and/or
primary carers, they don't provide people with disability autonomy, spontaneity or
independence. However, I believe the assessment, prescription, provision and use of
ECUs can definitely provide and increase each of these areas.
With the pending introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the
National Injury Insurance Scheme, I believe all stakeholders have the opportunity, and I
believe the responsibility, to ensure that the most appropriate types of assistive
technology, particularly ECUs, are not considered to be recreational or gadgets by the
NDIS.
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I hope this presentation has been able to bridge the gap in your knowledge about the
ECUs and the long-term positive outcomes for people with disability, their family and
carers and has busted the myth that ECUs are only gadgets and proves they are in fact
essential tools to independence.
Think you
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