Maria had always been fiercely independent, but her progressive multiple sclerosis was making simple daily tasks increasingly difficult. Reaching light switches, adjusting the thermostat, and answering the door had become exhausting challenges. Today, from her wheelchair or bed, she controls her entire home environment with voice commands and her smartphone. "Good morning," she says to her smart speaker, and the house responds by gradually brightening the lights, adjusting the temperature, playing her favorite news podcast, and starting the coffee maker. "It's like having the perfect personal assistant," she laughs, "except it never takes sick days."
Smart home technology has emerged as a powerful tool for individuals with disabilities, offering unprecedented control over living environments through voice commands, mobile apps, and adaptive switches. These interconnected systems enable users to manage lighting, temperature, security, entertainment, and appliance control with minimal physical effort, dramatically increasing independence and quality of life for people facing mobility, sensory, or cognitive challenges.