Happy tears in the laundry room: York Region initiative brings technology to seniors and disabled

'Be My Eyes' one of several tablet apps in pioneering program by Human Endeavour

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 13, 2022
Kim Zarzour

Tears of joy rolled down Ray Jackson’s face.

The Sutton man had just moved out of supportive housing and was finally living on his own.

That, in itself, was reason for happiness.

But now, for the first time in years, the visually impaired man was able to do his own laundry, thanks to innovative technology and an app called Be My Eyes.

When you can’t see, how do you figure out how to use new appliances?

You use someone else’s eyes, of course.

Jackson spoke into the device and connected with an online volunteer on the other side of the world who used the tablet's camera to look at the washer and dryer and guide him through the steps.

It was a joyful moment --he was independently washing his own clothes.

And for Noor Din, founder of the social enterprise that created this unique tablet application, it was proof that technology can keep seniors and disabled people safe, connected and empowered.

Din is the founder of Human Endeavour, a charity based in Vaughan. He is also a computer engineer and, with help from United Way funding and several other agencies, pioneered Technology Access and Support for Seniors (TASS).

He recently introduced this new initiative at the Aging and Social Change conference in Poland.

The idea was born in the early days of the pandemic when the lockdown blocked seniors from in-person social programs, thrusting many into deep social isolation and creating fear, anxiety and depression.

At the same time, the pandemic revealed widespread digital illiteracy among seniors. Few had access to the internet, and existing technology was not designed for them, Din said.

Human Endeavour came up with a plug-and-play solution, a way to simplify technology to an extreme to help those who don’t speak English or aren’t tech-savvy to take advantage of technology.

Human Endeavour and community partners obtained grants to purchase more than 400 easy-to-use android tablets preloaded with apps and data and distribute them, free, to vulnerable seniors.

Each came with an internet connection, cybersecurity software and an easy-to-follow illustrated instruction book. A phone helpline in multiple languages showed them how to use the device, join virtual programs, even access their health care providers. Remote access allowed real-time tech support when seniors ran into difficulties.

The concept caught on quickly and expanded to 30 non-profit groups in urban, rural and remote communities.

Hearing from agencies that disabled people were also interested, Human Endeavour modified the tablets with accessibility features to provide internet access for those with physical challenges: voice-activated devices for the visually impaired, close-captioning and text-based devices for those with hearing loss and voice and text-based apps for people with fine motor difficulties.

Catherine Peever says it "opened up the world" to her.

Because of her visual impairment, she couldn’t use smartphones or iPads.

Through the Rexdale Community Health Centre, she obtained one of the Human Endeavour devices. Brightly lit so it’s easy to find, its tactile guides, locked screen, sound notifications and voice-activated emails opened up a whole new world to her, she said.

“It’s made me feel a lot more positive, a lot more confident and I’m a lot more healthy because of it.”

An impact study found the vast majority of seniors wanted to continue using their devices even after the pandemic lockdown was lifted, Lois Kamenitz, external research associate at York University, told the conference.

One user, aged 71 and deaf, had never owned a computer or smartphone.

“Now I’m wondering, how did I get along without it?”

Another user described participating in a Zoom session with her brother for the first time. "I got to see inside his house. He just bought a house, and I was crying. It felt like I was actually there.”

Now Din is looking to expand the project elsewhere and adapt it for use by those with early stages of dementia.

He is convinced the initiative is one of the pandemic’s silver linings, a way to find connection and hope in the midst of despair and “ensure the most vulnerable who don’t have access to technology are not left alone.”