Belinda and Daniel's Dream
Written with the assistance of Bham Now and United Ability
The Situation
Belinda’s smile lights up the room as she discusses her love for her husband, Daniel, and her advocacy journey for people with disabilities in Birmingham and beyond.
Belinda and Daniel
The couple met nearly five years ago at the United Ability LINCPoint Adult Day Program for adults with disabilities. Both have cerebral palsy and spend most of their time in wheelchairs.
They use speech-generating communication devices to talk with each other, friends, family, and staff. At his job, Daniel greets visitors and opens the doors at LINCPoint with technologies developed by Smart Solutions using his communications device.
“Before we got married, our case managers began looking for us an apartment together," said Belinda. "After we got married, we believed that we would move in together. Case managers made us promises but nothing happened. We even visited several apartments. When we thought we were getting close, something would fall apart. It would have been easy for us to give up. But we didn't.”
— Belinda Dorough
The Solution
Smart Solutions has been working with Belinda and Daniel to identify waiver benefits that cover home automation technologies such as Simply Smart for their new apartment.
Daniel uses a Tobii Dynavox I-Series communications device with eye tracking to serve his needs. Belinda uses an Accent 1400 from PRC-Saltillo with an adapted switch for communications.
With the installation of Simply Smart, Belinda and Daniel now have control of their apartment’s lights, HVAC, door locks, and more using their communications devices. As a result, they are now able to significantly reduce their reliance on caregiver staff.
