From Smart Wheelchairs to Smart Homes: Updating Your Home Assessments for New Mobility Tech

This episode is an audio version of our blog, “From Smart Wheelchairs to Smart Homes: Updating Your Home Assessments for New Mobility Technology.” Sue Doyle, PhD, OTR/L walks through how rapidly evolving mobility and smart home technologies are reshaping real-world function so you can update your home assessment process to look beyond “does it fit?” and truly evaluate compatibility, safety, and daily routines.

In this episode, we cover:

• What’s changing in mobility technology—from smart wheelchairs with obstacle detection and app-based controls to more complex charging needs and environmental control systems—and why traditional tape-measure assessments are no longer enough.
• How to apply a compatibility lens in your home visits, including what to observe with smart wheelchairs (sensor behavior, mirrors and glass, lighting, tight turns), how to document technology–environment mismatches, and the specific questions to add to your assessments.
• Practical ways to assess batteries, charging routines, and smart home systems (Wi‑Fi, apps, voice assistants, backup options, client cognitive/tech capacity), so you can recommend sustainable layouts, safer charging setups, and realistic automation that truly supports independence and reduces fall and caregiver burden.

Read the full blog and see visuals:

• Read the article: https://thehomeaccessibilitytherapist.blog/2026/02/17/integrating-mobility-technology-trends-into-home-assessments/
• View any photos, diagrams, or checklists mentioned in this episode on the blog.
  FREE Assessment Checklist Mobility Technology Home Assessment Checklist

Related trainings and courses:

• Certified Home Accessibility Therapist (CHAT): https://www.thehomeaccessibilitytherapist.com/CHAT
• All Courses: https://www.thehomeaccessibilitytherapist.com/courses

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