APPGAT has played host to a roundtable discussion on the impact of smart home technology on disabled and older people living with care and support needs.  The meeting marked the launch of our new workstream on social care and independent living which will explore how policymakers, industry and wider society can encourage the development of new technologies and services for the domestic realm that offer disabled and older people genuine choice and independence.

Chaired by Barry Sheerman MP, the roundtable brought together officials from local authorities, care providers, smart home technology suppliers and other experts to examine how public policy and everyday practice can be reshaped to realise the potential of smart technologies to transform people's lives. Participants discussed the importance of conducting holistic assessments of clients’ requirements, the need for professionals to have the appropriate mix of knowledge and skills to help people to access technology and the blurring of the boundaries between specialist and mainstream technologies. 

The findings and recommendations from the discussion will be used to inform the APPGAT response to the government’s forthcoming green paper on adult social care, and help to set the direction of the new workstream.

Click here to read a summary of the key findings from the meeting.