The future of electronic aids to daily living.

107 “Computer. Lights on, 50%.” U.S.S. Enterprise Captain Jean-Luc Piccard in the 24th century? Actually, this technology is available today in the form of electronic aids to daily living (EADLs). Formerly known as electronic controls (Bain, 1996; Dickey, 1993), EADLs allow control of many devices in the environment. Technically, environmental controls refer to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC). The term environmental controls also describes methods of controlling allergens in the environment. The name of this category of assistive technology was changed to EADLs several years ago to better define the technology and how it improves independence in the home (Lange, 1998). This term emphasizes the occupation the technology facilitates rather than the products themselves. Of assistive technology devices, environmental controls traditionally have been the least funded by third-party payers. The name change has improved funding as payers begin to view this technology as being designed to promote independence in occupation instead of as glorified remote controls for the television set. Similar to many interventions used in occupational therapy practice, little study has documented empirical success of these types of technologies. Rigby et al. (2001) recently examined one aspect of EADL success with a focused population, but this study is only one of few. More studies like theirs must be performed to shift our confidence from intuitive support to more evidenced-based practice. What Can the Technology Do Now?