Home Automation for Adults With Disability Following an Injury: Protocol for a Social Return on Investment Study.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation technology
• Health economics
• Disability studies

Background:

• Serious injuries like spinal cord and acquired brain injuries necessitate long-term care.
• Home automation offers potential benefits for individuals with disabilities, but evidence on its impact and cost-effectiveness is limited.
• Technological advancements in home automation are transforming long-term care options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the impact of home automation on individuals with long-term disabilities.
• To evaluate the costs and outcomes of home automation for individuals, families, and the community.
• To utilize a Social Return on Investment (SROI) approach for comprehensive evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Employing a six-phase Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework.
• Interviewing individuals with disabilities using home automation and key stakeholders.
• Establishing impact through financial proxies and appropriate discounts to calculate the SROI ratio.

Main Results:

• The project was funded in November 2021.
• Data collection is ongoing, with results anticipated in March 2023.
• Recruitment is currently underway for study participants.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first in Australia and internationally to use SROI for assessing home automation's outcomes in disability.
• Findings will offer valuable insights for funders, consumers, researchers, and the public.
• The research aims to guide future decision-making regarding home automation for individuals with disabilities.