Brookhaven Town officials, alongside Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), celebrated the opening of Long Island's first smart home for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities on May 27. The event took place at 35 Pinetop Drive in Shirley, marking a significant step forward in accessible housing.
The newly opened Pinetop IRA is a four-bedroom residence featuring advanced assistive technology aimed at fostering independence among its residents. The house includes voice-activated lighting, smart appliances, Bluetooth-enabled fixtures, adjustable kitchen counters, and individual climate controls to enable residents to manage daily tasks independently.
"This smart home is, in many ways, the first of its kind," stated Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico during the ceremony. He emphasized the importance of such initiatives by highlighting that "autism affects one in 36 people" and stressed the community's responsibility to support individuals with challenges.
Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig also spoke at the event. She remarked on how "this project demonstrates how technology can be a powerful tool for independence," expressing optimism about the innovative nature of this housing solution.
Operated by FREE, the residence aims to provide men and women seeking more independence with essential support. The organization hopes that this smart home will serve as a model for future developments across Long Island.
For further details about FREE and its services, interested parties are encouraged to visit their website at www.familyres.org.