How does smart automation help with building inclusive environments?

You may have heard it said that “what’s necessary for one is good for all”.

In everyday life, this looks like ramps into Main Street stores and offices. The goal may have been to create a mobility-friendly entrance for those with canes or in wheelchairs, but suddenly, both the woman in the scooter picking up her own prescriptions AND the dad who is shunting toddler twins and is desperate for diapers can easily enter the downtown pharmacy.

Think about automatic doors. They may have been designed with wheelchairs and scooters in mind, but does the following sound at all familiar? Balancing your laptop, coffee and doughnuts for the staff, a pile of Dan Sullivan and James Patterson’s latest to trade with your office admin, your personal phone, your work cell, two pounds of paperwork, and your office keys between your lips, you nudge your elbow into the metal square and voila… the door miraculously slides open just for you. I’ll bet you sighed with relief and gratitude. It may not have been designed with you and your heaps in mind, but it benefits you.

“Accessibility impacts everyone, whether or not they have a disability. Inclusive design makes the world easier, safer, and more enjoyable for all individuals — no matter their ability, age, or situation,” writes the author of Equal Accessibility.

Let’s play a very quick game of Associations. 

I’ll mention a term, and you shout out what first comes to mind. If you’re in public, feel free to whisper or say it purely in your head. Here we go.

Scenes.

Did you think of movies?  Or perhaps Broadway, with its ability to turn a plain stage into a story habitat? You could’ve also mentioned home automation or Balaklava.

What goes up but never comes down?

You probably already know the answer to that riddle. Age.

There are currently more than 8 million Canadians over the age of 65. Remarkably,12,281 of them are over 100 years old. Although we don’t always like to talk about it, the reality is that with getting over the hill, people often require additional support to maintain their independence.

That’s not much of a surprise, you may be thinking. I already know that some older folks struggle with day-to-day routines like putting on socks, climbing out of the shower, answering a text, or managing their cash.

What has 1,709 exhibitors packed into 82,000m² spanning 8 buildings – and helps us bring you the best of the best?

Hint: This AV & Systems Integration Show is the biggest in the world and takes place annually in Barcelona, Spain. It is the place to learn, network, and uncover trends.

Give up? Fair enough.

It’s the ISE (Integrated Systems Europe).

Technology is constantly evolving and improving. Your network and its accessories are no exception. 

How do you know when it’s time for new and improved versions of what you have? Here are some clues that you need an overhaul. First, though…

What is a network?

Just like a social network where two or more people create useful liaisons, the network you have at home connects two or more devices to share resources. It “acts as the central hub for your digital life,” according to AI.

What do you think of when you hear the frequently flung term AI? Some of you may shudder and whisper about robots taking over the world, while others have ChatGPT on standby. 

It’s a hot topic. Whatever camp you reside in, one thing is for sure: lots of positive has already come out of the AI abyss. 

For example,

• StorySign translates text into ASL to allow children who are Deaf to learn to read.
• Google Maps analyzes traffic patterns and accidents to help us get to work on time. 
• A group at Mount Sinai uses algorithms to predict disease and cancer development with a 94% accuracy rate.

It’s not all bad. Another example of AI used for good is Josh AI.

Photo by Afshin T2Y on Unsplash

Working from home has many advantages. Fewer stops at Esso, less distracting chats over the water cooler, and the ability to chuck a load of laundry into the washer during your lunch break.

One of the downsides? You need to properly outfit your space with quality furniture, lighting, and network needs. Here are five things to consider when designing the perfect remote working space.

1. Lighting—Your eyes will thank you

You probably recall from Balaklava’s last blog called “How Improper Lighting Is Affecting Your Health in Ways You Didn’t Even Realize” that appropriate illumination is essential for good health. It’s also critical when it comes to creating optimal working conditions. Functional lighting means increased focus, fewer headaches, and increased productivity.

Care to guess what the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) claims are the most common workplace lighting issues?

•  Insufficient or poorly distributed lighting. Do you find yourself squinting or suffering from dry eyes?
• Glare. If you need a set of office aviators to get the job done, there’s a problem.
•  Improper contrast. Your work area should be brighter than the surrounding office areas.
• Flicker. Loose bulbs, overloaded circuits, old wiring or incompatible dimmer switches can cause irritating flashes. You want to avoid this—unless you’re aiming for the Studio 54 vibe, of course.

2. A stable network—Your patience will thank you

When it comes to your network, your business needs reliability and uninterrupted connectivity. No one wants their network buffering just as you’re about to present year-end figures or Zoom with a key client. Bufferbloat (say that fast ten times) is not as fun as it sounds. Rather, it’s what happens when software spikes during uploads or downloads. Balaklava can help ensure that the dreaded Bufferbloat doesn’t happen in your home office space.

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash.com

September is Healthy Living Month. It’s probably not a huge surprise to you that lighting plays a monumental role in our mental and emotional health. 

What light does for our body

Light is key to keeping our circadian rhythm at its best. Maybe you’re wondering, what the heck is a circadian rhythm? It’s just a fancy schmancy name for our “internal clock”, aka the sleep-wake cycle.

Not only does proper, more natural lighting allow for better sleep, but it also

• keeps you safe and alert,
• helps you avoid eye strain and headaches, and
• is necessary for the nervous and endocrine systems (hormones, mood, etc.).

In a recent seminar, Mark S. Rea, PhD, from the Mount Sinai Light and Health Research Center, clarified that health benefits aren’t simply due to light’s wavelength but also to its contrast or brightness.

Research has determined that “lighting schemes” (mimicking a normal day) decrease aggression and sundowning in patients with Alzheimer’s. Studies between 1985 and 2024 about prison lighting all conclude that appropriate illumination reduces aggression and improves rehabilitation rates.

Created with copilot and canva

Quick quiz. What’s the number one reason people install security systems?

A) To make sure your daughter’s latest Sephora order isn’t pilfered from your front stoop.

B) To ensure that the Picasso above the fireplace remains there.

C) So that your kids and grandkids are protected.

If you chose C…Congrats. You win the prize of being able to say you aced the Balaklava Security Quiz.

Summer, oh glorious summer, has arrived. The sun is beating down and here in Ontario, the humidity is seeping into our bones. A different mindset seems to come with the heat and many more of us are spending time in the great outdoors hiking, floating, and paddling.

You escape on getaways, and you also stay close to home. Almost 80% of us regularly hang out on our decks and in our yards, so it makes sense to design a comfortable and charming space that’s perfect for both tranquility and hospitality. Technology can be used in landscaping for many reasons. Here are three possibilities that will up the wow factor of your summer sanctuary.

1) Light up your world

You know how important the right lighting is to the safety and ambiance of your home. Similarly, is its significance outside your house, in your landscape. Optimal brightness makes your space safer and illuminates the yard features you’ve worked hard to create.

When considering lights, Coastal Source recommends you consider the following factors:

Image by Praveen Kumar on Unsplash.com

Suddenly tariffs are forefront as we explore and alter our shopping habits.

You prefer Starbucks but now you’re pulling into the Timmy’s drive-thru. At the grocery store, you might reach for French’s rather than Heinz and you let Quaker Oats gather dust as you chuck Goldy’s into your cart instead. As for travel, we seem to be avoiding stepping foot south of the border. AirBnB reported recently that properties rented in Canada by Canadians are up 40%.

Canada may be known as meek and apologetic, but we’ve chosen to take a stand when it comes to costly American levies. Rather than simply cowering as prices shoot up, we’ve responded with a united front.

According to BMO senior economist Robert Kavcic, we can and we are making a difference. The “Buy Canadian” movement adds $10 billion to our economy. Not too shabby.

What does “Elbow’s Up” have to do with buying Canadian ketchup and spending your vacay in Wawa?

Grab a Moosehead Lager, sit back in your Muskoka chair, and get ready for a very brief history lesson.

Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash.

Running shoes have Nike.  Flying discs have Frisbee. Tissues have Kleenex.

In the world of window coverings, that distinction is taken by, yes, you guessed it from the title: Hunter Douglas. Founded in 1919, the publicly listed company began in Germany before loading up 150 railroad cars and relocating to the Netherlands in 1933. Since then, the Sonnenberg family has grown their brand, and it now operates in more than 100 countries around the globe.

Maybe you’re thinking, Wait, before you tell me about Hunter Douglas, why do I even need window treatments? Good question.

Drapes, shades, and blinds not only help you save money, but they reduce noise, add style and beauty, and enable you to look across the lawn without burning out your retinas. There are tonnes of plusses. For instance, they:

• Protect your furniture, flooring, and art from fading and cracking. “Even furnishings need sunblock."
• Stop neighbours and nosy squirrels from watching you get into your bathrobe.
• Keep your home cool. Or warm. According to the Department of Energy, a house can lose up to 30% of its cooling and heating energy through windows alone.
• Help you get better sleep with room-darkening alternatives.

Why Hunter Douglas?

You may already know the company is referred to as the “Ferrari’s of window coverings” and that their claim, Shades like no other ™, is not merely lip service.

For a little over a year now, Balaklava Technology Simplified has called 20 Creighton Road in Walkerton home. Now, we’re ready for you to be part of the big reveal. Here are 3 reasons to spend part of your Maundy Thursday in Walkerton at Balaklava Technology Simplified’s Grand Opening. Plus, be one of the first 30 to arrive and you’ll get extra-special swag.

1) Curiosity Killed the Cat

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but for humans, it can be a very good, mind-expanding trait. Research shows that curious folks tend to be happy folks. Why not aim for “higher levels of positive emotions, lower levels of anxiety, more satisfaction with life, and greater psychological well-being”? As Balaklava’s building evolved, you watched excavators dig, foundations poured, and trusses set in place. Now you get a chance to see the finished product!

“We’ve come a long way,” remarks Owner and President Mark Pinder.  “We outgrew our Mildmay space, we were out of parking, office and warehouse space. We’d love for you to tour our new 4,500-square-foot facility. Including the meeting and conference rooms in our high-tech Business Center.”

Go ahead and give in. Head to Balaklava’s Grand Opening on April 17 between 2:00 and 8:00 pm. Need another reason?

Ontario Homeowners Can Rely on Balaklava for Simple, Sleek Technology

Technology should simplify your life, not complicate it! If you currently have a pile of remotes on your coffee table or falling in between the couch cushions, then it’s time to contact Balaklava. Not only do we streamline the audio/video solutions on your property, but our trusted staff can integrate all your home’s smart technologies into one intuitive and easy-to-use home control system. 

Keep reading below to learn three home automation solutions you can incorporate in your Collingwood, Ontario home with the help of our certified team of experts.