Technology plays a tremendous role in community reintegration, employment, and health
promotion for people with disabilities and older adults. For technology to have optimal
effect, it must closely work with the person and have intuitive and flexible user interfaces.
People with disabilities and older adults have unique needs that may vary with diagnosis,
socio-economic status, living situation, support systems, age, and rate of progression.
Therefore, technology must accommodate different individuals, but also have the ability
to adapt over time. Several different technologies will be discussed: Personal Mobility
and Manipulation Appliance (PerMMA), Virtual Seating Coach, Strong-Arm, and the Cueing
Kitchen/Home. These technologies represent emerging intelligent systems that have the
potential to significantly impact the lives of people with disabilities and older adults.