Many years ago, the idea of turning on your lights with the click of a ring might have seemed impossible. Today, that idea is a reality and is improving lives.
Lotus is a company that builds technology that is usable for everybody by optimizing for disability first. When Ronak Parikh, Senior Vice President of Community and Business Development at ADAPT Community Network, approached Dhaval Patel, Founder and CEO of Lotus, he saw the value of having a partnership with Lotus. Beyond its innovative appeal, Lotus’s wearable ring represents a meaningful step towards accessibility, helping people with disabilities live more safely and independently in their own homes without any assistance. For Ronak, getting these rings into their hands was a perfect fit.
Using infrared technology, similar to that found in a TV remote, the Lotus ring allows users to control their lights. The ring is connected to a light switch cover that is magnetically attached. With a simple point and click, the light turns on and off. The wearable ring was designed to be easy to use – there’s no need for the internet or an app, and it’s easily rechargeable.
When Lotus launched the Pilot Program, twenty of our people supported signed up to participate and test the product. The Lotus team visited each participant’s home to provide information about the program and the use of the ring.
One participant, AnnMarie Thomas of Brooklyn, who has been with ADAPT for over 25 years, shared how the Lotus ring has made a big difference in her daily routine. AnnMarie, who uses a wheelchair, had to transfer from her bed to her chair just to turn the lights on or off, risking slips or falls. Now, with her Lotus ring, it has brought her a sense of independence and peace of mind. She does not have to worry about her safety when going to turn on or off the lights.
While Annmarie’s story is just one among the many, Ronak shares that our people supported found the Lotus ring very helpful in becoming more independent. It helps them take one less step in their daily activities. At the same time, the program provided Lotus with valuable insights into how their technology could evolve and how different integrations could further enhance independence for people with disabilities.
At the end of the pilot, Lotus donated ring kits to all participants who took part in the program.
ADAPT’s partnership with Lotus aims to continue finding solutions that will improve the lives of people with disabilities. If you are interested in supporting and finding solutions that drive innovation and inclusion in the lives of the people we support, please reach out to Ronak Parikh at rparikh@adaptcommunitynetwork.org
