Other | Supporting Occupatio

Smart irrigation systems allow for the automated and remote control of garden sprinklers.

The system connects to Wi-Fi and may be controlled by:

Voice command: The system may be integrated with a hub (I.e. Siri, Google, Alexa)
Remote controlled via interface,
Programable via time setting on command (semi-autonomous),
Weather-based sensors: The system can automatically adjust watering schedules based on local weather forecasts and soil moisture.
- Systems may be linked with existing assistive technology such as eye gaze and/or sip and puff depending on the users’ needs (check with an integrator about the viability if this is appropriate for the service user.

Meaningful engagement in occupation: Automatic garden sprinklers can enhance home maintenance for individuals with disabilities by providing consistent irrigation without manual effort, promoting engagement in meaningful occupations such as gardening.

Independence: An individual with mobility issues can maintain their garden or lawn without having to manually set up sprinklers, which can be a physically demanding task (Hutchinson et al., 2024).

Fatigue management: Automated sprinklers can support energy conservation due to minimising physical exertion and increase fatigue management (Moroz et al., 2017).

Hutchinson, C., Cleland, J., Williams, P. A. H., Manuel, K., & Laver, K. (2024). Calculating the social impact of home automation for people with disability: A social return on investment study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 71(6), 956-966. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12977

Moroz, A., Flanagan, S. R., & Zaretsky, H. H. (Eds.). (2017). (Fifth edition.). Springer Publishing Company, LLC.

Automated pet feeders dispense a pre-measured amount of food at scheduled times.

The feeder is connected to Wi-Fi and may be controlled by:

Voice command: The system may be integrated with a hub (I.e. Siri, Google, Alexa)
Remote controlled via interface,
Programable via time setting /schedule on command (semi-autonomous),
Motion sensor: some feeders include a camera that allows users to monitor their pets remotely.
- Systems may be linked with existing assistive technology such as eye gaze and/or sip and puff depending on the users’ needs (check with an integrator about the viability if this is appropriate for the service user.

Independence: Reduced reliance on a support worker enabling individuals to independently manage their pet’s feeding and hydration (Ding et al., 2021; Ding et al., 2025).

Meaningful engagement in occupation: For some pet care is a meaningful occupation. The ability to care for a pet with the use of automated systems can ensure people with disabilities to engage in a meaningful occupation (Allan et al., 2000).

Fatigue management: Automated pet feeders can support energy conservation due to minimising physical exertion and increase fatigue management (Moroz et al., 2017).

Allen, J. M., Kellegrew, D. H., & Jaffe, D. (2000). The experience of pet ownership as a meaningful occupation. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67(4), 271–278. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841740006700409
Ding, D., Morris, L., Messina, K., & Fairman, A. (2021). Providing mainstream smart home technology as assistive technology for persons with disabilities: A qualitative study with professionals. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 18(7), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2021.1998673
Ding, D., Morris, L., Novario, G., Fairman, A., Roehrich, K., Foschi Walko, P., & Boateng, J. (2025). 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, 12, e70855. https://doi.org/10.2196/70855
Moroz, A., Flanagan, S. R., & Zaretsky, H. H. (Eds.). (2017). Medical aspects of disability for the rehabilitation professional (Fifth edition.). Springer Publishing Company, LLC.