Public Call for Evidence: how can smart home technologies enhance independent living?

Policy Connect's Smart Homes and Independent Living Commission invites all stakeholders to respond to its public call for evidence, looking at:

  1. Local authority and Clinical Commissioning Group adult social care commissioning policies and practices;
  2. Using the Disabled Facilities Grant to access technology;
  3. Health and social care services delivery and workforce development;
  4. The role of local and national government in shaping the market; and
  5. Coproducing products and services with disabled and older people.

Responses can be submitted to all or some sections as desired. The deadline for this call for evidence is Wednesday 20th October 2021

Respond to the call for evidence online.

If you have any questions or would like our survey in an alternative accessible format, please contact clive.gilbert [at] policyconnect.org.uk (Clive Gilbert).

The Commission will examine and make recommendations on how smart home technologies can be used by disabled and older people to enhance independent living.

Chaired by the former leader of Kent County Council Sir Paul Carter CBE and supported by Liz Twist MP and other leading voices in social care and technology, the Commission’s aim is to ensure that disabled and older people can make use of smart home technology to lead healthy, independent and socially rewarding domestic lives.

Smart home technology is the application of interconnected products, systems and services to living spaces. These tools have the potential to offer disabled and older people unprecedented control over their environment and the ability to connect more easily with family and friends as well as public and private services. However, these opportunities have yet to be fully realised for either disabled or older people or the services that support them.

The Commission will produce a policy report with recommendations for policy makers, care organisations and the technology sector on how technology can help disabled and older people pursue their aspirations, interests and preferred lifestyles.

The Commission is sponsored by Bournemouth University and Coventry University.