Technology First - Setting the standard for use of technology for in-home support

We all should have that opportunity to make choices for our lives, and we all should have the opportunity to advocate for our preferences in our lives. In this episode, Cameron Kempson, the co-founder, and director of education for Shift talks about the organization's focus on technology's first best practices and the importance of dignity of risk. She discusses how accessible housing matters by providing opportunities for people with disabilities to make choices for themselves and learn from their mistakes. He also discusses the importance of smart home capability, which can help to ensure that people with disabilities are safe and have access to necessary resources. Let’s dig into technology first: setting the standard for the use of technology for in-home support!

Key Highlights:

[00:01 - 04:54] Opening Segment

An overview of Tech First Shift

How technology can be used to create opportunities for independence

Providing accessible education and certification for people with disabilities

[04:55 - 16:25] Using Technology in A Safe and Secure Way

How to apply best practices when implementing technology

Cameron shares how they have been educating providers and state entities about technology first 

What the Shift program offers to organizations that meet the best practice standards 

[16:26 - 28:37] Dignity Risk And Self-Determination

How to use technology in a way that is respectful and promotes dignity, risk, and self-determination

How Shift educates people with disabilities to provide services that are culturally relevant and applicable

There is a need to reach out to marginalized populations and technology can be used to facilitate this

[28:38 - 30:28] Closing Segment

If you want to connect with Cameron, head to Tech First Shift, advancing the technology first movement within the IDD support community to create new opportunities for natural support!

Key Quotes:

“We wanted to be assured that people who were including technology in their homes, um, were educated on how to implement it, integrate it, um, and understand what's out there.” - Cameron Kempson

“We're creating this opportunity for the dignity of risk. Or the capacity to make choices for yourself and then learn from those choices.” - Cameron Kempson

“Technology has this great capacity to be discreet and to really serve people with disabilities.” - Cameron Kempson 

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