WEYMOUTH – For William Paul Rafferty, it's a technology upgrade at the group home where he lives that makes all the difference in helping him live independently.
Owned by Arc of the South Shore, the home on Broad Street in Weymouth features live-feed cameras that residents can view, voice-activated lighting, hands-free faucets and high-speed internet.
Rafferty and the four other men who live there say the technology has given them greater independence, safety and quality of life.
“It's a beautiful house,” said Mr. Lafferty, 68. “It's very nice.”
Arc of the South Shore provides housing and programs for people with a variety of intellectual disabilities, including those like Lafferty who has autism. The nonprofit recently renovated its group homes to incorporate “smart technology” to help residents live more independently with the help of technology. The Weymouth home will open in 2023, and homes in Braintree and Hingham are currently being renovated.
Abigail Parrilla, CEO of Arc of the South Shore, said smart technology is especially helpful for people with autism, many of whom are facing what's known as “turning 22.” For people with autism and intellectual disabilities, turning 22 is a significant milestone that marks the transition from child services to adult services. Without the services provided by public schools, many local families and individuals are in need of support.
“We want to invest in building an inclusive society, and that includes exclusively renovating 22 group homes to provide safe, beautiful housing with smart technology that supports the decisions parents make and addresses their unique needs,” she said.
Arc of the South Shore is renovating a group home on Drinkwater Avenue in Braintree with smart technology designed specifically for the autism community ages 22 and older, and is building a home on Rose Circle in Hingham. Parrilla said the organization hopes to open five more smart homes over the next five years.
“This technology will allow robots to become more autonomous and become part of the innovation we all experience,” she said. “We want robots to have the same capabilities that everyone else has.”
Christopher Mitchell, program manager for Arc of the South Shore, said the technology has made life easier for residents.
“For example, we have a Ring doorbell so staff can see who's coming to the house and can check their screen while they're waiting for a car to pick them up,” he says. “The Wi-Fi system has also been helpful, as staff use laptops and iPads and have had issues with slow Wi-Fi.”
The group receives funding from the state Department of Developmental Services, but raises its own funds to renovate and upgrade the homes, Parrilla said, adding that each home costs about $600,000 to renovate and upgrade technology.