Smart Homes for People with Disabilities: Integrating Assistive Technology into Interior Design
Keywords:
smart homes, assistive technology, interior design, accessibility, inclusive designAbstract
This paper explores the integration of assistive technologies into smart home interior design to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. It discusses how intelligent systems—such as voice-controlled devices, automated lighting, smart furniture, and environmental control units—can be harmoniously incorporated into interior design without compromising aesthetic and functional values. The study emphasizes the importance of inclusive design principles that prioritize accessibility, independence, and comfort. Furthermore, it highlights case studies and innovative approaches where interior spaces are customized to meet the physical, sensory, and cognitive needs of individuals with various types of disabilities. By bridging technology and design, smart homes can create a safer, more empowering environment for all users.
Downloads
References
1. Yogesh K. Dwivedi, Nir Kshetri, Laurie Hughes, Emma Slade, Anand Jeyaraj, Arpan Kumar Kar, Abdullah M. Baabdullah, et al.. "Opinion Paper: “So what if ChatGPT wrote it?” Multidisciplinary perspectives on opportunities, challenges and implications of generative conversational AI for research, practice and policy" International Journal of Information Management, 2023, 102642-102642. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102642
2. Wenzheng Heng, Samuel A. Solomon, Wei Gao. "Flexible Electronics and Devices as Human–Machine Interfaces for Medical Robotics" Advanced Materials, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202107902
3. Kangyang Ji. "A Study of Accessibility Improvement on Android IoT System" Proceedings of the 2024 4th International Conference on Internet of Things and Machine Learning, 2024, doi: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/03ac6202724d8fc76b0091a83f9dbefdde89e37f
4. Andy Berres, Y. Ye. "2022 Building Performance Analysis Conference and SimBuild – Special Issue" Science and Technology for the Built Environment, 2024, 285 - 286. doi: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/3367073f29888fc428c161428aace4b6a113c4fa
5. Dan Ding, Lindsey Morris, Gina Novario, Andrea Fairman, Kacey Roehrich, Palma Foschi Walko, Jessica Boateng. "Mainstream Smart Home Technology–Based Intervention to Enhance Functional Independence in Individuals With Complex Physical Disabilities: Single-Group Pre-Post Feasibility Study" JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 2025, doi: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/2aa14181099ee5af945a73413879c2846a6aae09
6. Manoon Nasri Abdalla, M. A. Falasi, Haythem El-Messiry. "Empower Hub: Sustainable Innovative Navigation and Smart Interior Design" 2024 Third International Conference on Sustainable Mobility Applications, Renewables and Technology (SMART), 2024, 1-10. doi: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/198b0e7fbee033dc0262a25883bedef319e11822
7. Bichard, Jo-Anne. "Include 2011 : The role of inclusive design in making social innovation happen." Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, 2011, doi: https://core.ac.uk/download/12820443.pdf
8. Hooper, Clare. "Pervasive Technologies and Support for Independent Living" s.n., 2025,
9. Kwangtae Mun, Jongbae Kim. "Survey on demand for smart home technology as assistive technology for people with physical disabilities in Korea." Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, 2025, 1-10 . doi: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/faebfdfb6954d46a52fa8d041877cf590aa1b990
10. Dan Ding, Lindsey Morris, Gina Novario, Andrea Fairman, Kacey Roehrich, Palma Foschi Walko, Jessica Boateng. "Mainstream Smart Home Technology–Based Intervention to Enhance Functional Independence in Individuals With Complex Physical Disabilities: Single-Group Pre-Post Feasibility Study" JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 2025, doi: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/2aa14181099ee5af945a73413879c2846a6aae09
11. Bichard, Jo-Anne. "Include 2011 : The role of inclusive design in making social innovation happen." Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, 2011, doi: https://core.ac.uk/download/12820443.pdf
12. Center for Human Development, University of Alaska Anchorage. "The Future of Disability in Alaska Summit & Follow-up Survey" Center for Human Development, University of Alaska Anchorage, 2013, doi: https://core.ac.uk/download/162576609.pdf
13. Marko Periša, Petra Teskera, Ivan Cvitić, I. Grgurević. "Empowering People with Disabilities in Smart Homes Using Predictive Informing" Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 2025, doi: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/f0714d86043a96ac9b57408f8577d545aef878f2
14. Silvia Albano, Gianmarco Longo. "Integrating Generative AI in Design Education: A Structured Approach to Client-Centered Interior Design Visualization" AHFE International, 2025, doi: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/57a91a81abc9e4934dfe7006cace5e842a45f60d
15. Dimitris Mourtzis, John Angelopoulos, Nikos Panopoulos. "The Future of the Human–Machine Interface (HMI) in Society 5.0" Future Internet, 2023, 162-162. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/fi15050162
16. Y.K. Smirnova. "APPLICATION OF EYE-TRACKING TECHNOLOGY DUAL EYE TRACKING (DUET) IN THE STUDY OF COOPERATION BETWEEN CHILDREN WITH ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ADULTS IN THE LEARNING PROCESS" 2023, 98-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.61365/forum.2023.078
17. Alex Koohang, Jeretta Horn Nord, Keng‐Boon Ooi, Garry Wei‐Han Tan, Mostafa Al‐Emran, Eugene Cheng-Xi Aw, Abdullah M. Baabdullah, et al.. "Shaping the Metaverse into Reality: A Holistic Multidisciplinary Understanding of Opportunities, Challenges, and Avenues for Future Investigation" Journal of Computer Information Systems, 2023, 735-765. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2023.2165197
18. Y.K. Smirnova. "APPLICATION OF EYE-TRACKING TECHNOLOGY DUAL EYE TRACKING (DUET) IN THE STUDY OF COOPERATION BETWEEN CHILDREN WITH ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ADULTS IN THE LEARNING PROCESS" 2023, 98-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.61365/forum.2023.078
19. Alex Koohang, Jeretta Horn Nord, Keng‐Boon Ooi, Garry Wei‐Han Tan, Mostafa Al‐Emran, Eugene Cheng-Xi Aw, Abdullah M. Baabdullah, et al.. "Shaping the Metaverse into Reality: A Holistic Multidisciplinary Understanding of Opportunities, Challenges, and Avenues for Future Investigation" Journal of Computer Information Systems, 2023, 735-765. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2023.2165197
20. Y.K. Smirnova. "APPLICATION OF EYE-TRACKING TECHNOLOGY DUAL EYE TRACKING (DUET) IN THE STUDY OF COOPERATION BETWEEN CHILDREN WITH ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ADULTS IN THE LEARNING PROCESS" 2023, 98-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.61365/forum.2023.078
21. Alex Koohang, Jeretta Horn Nord, Keng‐Boon Ooi, Garry Wei‐Han Tan, Mostafa Al‐Emran, Eugene Cheng-Xi Aw, Abdullah M. Baabdullah, et al.. "Shaping the Metaverse into Reality: A Holistic Multidisciplinary Understanding of Opportunities, Challenges, and Avenues for Future Investigation" Journal of Computer Information Systems, 2023, 735-765. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2023.2165197
22. Y.K. Smirnova. "APPLICATION OF EYE-TRACKING TECHNOLOGY DUAL EYE TRACKING (DUET) IN THE STUDY OF COOPERATION BETWEEN CHILDREN WITH ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ADULTS IN THE LEARNING PROCESS" 2023, 98-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.61365/forum.2023.078
23. Petar Radanliev, David De Roure, Peter Novitzky, Ivo Sluganovic. "Accessibility and inclusiveness of new information and communication technologies for disabled users and content creators in the Metaverse" Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology, 2023, 1849-1863. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2023.2241882
24. Mohammad Jamshidi, Arash Dehghaniyan Serej, Alireza Jamshidi, Omid Moztarzadeh. "The Meta-Metaverse: Ideation and Future Directions" Future Internet, 2023, 252-252. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/fi15080252
25. Mohammad Jamshidi, Arash Dehghaniyan Serej, Alireza Jamshidi, Omid Moztarzadeh. "The Meta-Metaverse: Ideation and Future Directions" Future Internet, 2023, 252-252. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/fi15080252
26. Ibrahim Abubakar, Sarah L Dalglish, Blake Angell, Olutobi Adekunle Sanuade, Ṣẹ̀yẹ Abímbọ́lá, Aishatu L. Adamu, Ifedayo Adetifa, et al.. "The Lancet Nigeria Commission: investing in health and the future of the nation" The Lancet, 2022, 1155-1200. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(21)02488-0
27. Ibrahim Abubakar, Sarah L Dalglish, Blake Angell, Olutobi Adekunle Sanuade, Ṣẹ̀yẹ Abímbọ́lá, Aishatu L. Adamu, Ifedayo Adetifa, et al.. "The Lancet Nigeria Commission: investing in health and the future of the nation" The Lancet, 2022, 1155-1200. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(21)02488-0
28. Chuan Ma, Olivia Guerra-Santin, Masi Mohammadi. "Smart home modification design strategies for ageing in place: a systematic review" Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 2021, 625-651. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-021-09888-z
29. Alex Koohang, Jeretta Horn Nord, Keng‐Boon Ooi, Garry Wei‐Han Tan, Mostafa Al‐Emran, Eugene Cheng-Xi Aw, Abdullah M. Baabdullah, et al.. "Shaping the Metaverse into Reality: A Holistic Multidisciplinary Understanding of Opportunities, Challenges, and Avenues for Future Investigation" Journal of Computer Information Systems, 2023, 735-765. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2023.2165197
30. Y.K. Smirnova. "APPLICATION OF EYE-TRACKING TECHNOLOGY DUAL EYE TRACKING (DUET) IN THE STUDY OF COOPERATION BETWEEN CHILDREN WITH ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ADULTS IN THE LEARNING PROCESS" 2023, 98-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.61365/forum.2023.078
31. FIGURE World Health Organization: WHO. "Almost one billion children and adults with disabilities and older persons in need of assistive technology denied access, according to new report." *World Health Organization*, 2022, https://www.who.int/news/item/16-05-2022-almost-one-billion-children-and-adults-with-disabilities-and-older-persons-in-need-of-assistive-technology-denied-access--according-to-new-report. *Note.* Adapted from Almost one billion children and adults with disabilities and older persons in need of assistive technology denied access, according to new report, by World Health Organization: WHO, 2022, World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/16-05-2022-almost-one-billion-children-and-adults-with-disabilities-and-older-persons-in-need-of-assistive-technology-denied-access--according-to-new-report. World Health Organization: WHO, UNICEF. "Almost one billion children and adults with disabilities and older persons in need of assistive technology denied access, according to new report." *World Health Organization*, 2022, https://www.who.int/news/item/16-05-2022-almost-one-billion-children-and-adults-with-disabilities-and-older-persons-in-need-of-assistive-technology-denied-access--according-to-new-report. *Note.* Adapted from Almost one billion children and adults with disabilities and older persons in need of assistive technology denied access, according to new report, by World Health Organization: WHO, UNICEF, 2022, World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/16-05-2022-almost-one-billion-children-and-adults-with-disabilities-and-older-persons-in-need-of-assistive-technology-denied-access--according-to-new-report.
32. FIGURE Briana Hilton. "How Smart Home Technology Transforms the Lives of People with Disabilities." *Abilities.com*, 2024, https://www.abilities.com/2024/02/02/smart-home-technology. *Note.* Adapted from How Smart Home Technology Transforms the Lives of People with Disabilities, by Briana Hilton, 2024, Abilities.com. Retrieved from https://www.abilities.com/2024/02/02/smart-home-technology. Daryl Friedman. "Smart Home Trends: Technology making daily living easier for seniors and those with disabilities." *Build Accessible*, 2024, https://buildaccessible.com/2024/05/17/smart-home-trends-technology-making-daily-living-easier-for-seniors-and-those-with-disabilities/. *Note.* Adapted from Smart Home Trends: Technology making daily living easier for seniors and those with disabilities, by Daryl Friedman, 2024, Build Accessible, Spotlight. Retrieved from https://buildaccessible.com/2024/05/17/smart-home-trends-technology-making-daily-living-easier-for-seniors-and-those-with-disabilities/.
33. TABLE National Center for Health Statistics. "Trends and Differential Use of Assistive Technology Devices: United States, 1994." *Centers for Disease Control and Prevention*, 1997, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/97facts/disable.htm. *Note.* Adapted from Trends and Differential Use of Assistive Technology Devices: United States, 1994, by National Center for Health Statistics, 1997, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/97facts/disable.htm. "." *US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health*, 2025, https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/factsheets/rehabtech. *Note.* , 2025, US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/factsheets/rehabtech.
