July 15, 2013 - Cincinnati, OH
Break Boundaries develops interface with Hands Free Video Intercom

The IR Hands Free Video Intercom can be controlled wirelessly by the ECU. The Intercom can also be controlled by plugging in your choice of assistive switches. Hands-free (VOX) feature allows you to talk freely without having to constantly press a switch or select a button on the ECU.

- Hands-free (VOX)
- ECU Interface
- Switch Interface
- High Res color LCD Monitor



September 9, 2013 - Cincinnati, OH
Assistive Bluetooth Microphone

The Assistive Bluetooth Micophone provides two great advantages for your speech controlled REACH ECU.
One, the device allows you to control your REACH ECU from a distance and two, allows you to easily turn your microphone on and off with any assistive switch. Ideal for using speech recognition in noisy environments, when a tv or stereo are on, or when people are having a conversation.




October 1, 2011 - Cincinnati, OH
Break Boundaries releases REACH 3.0 & REACH Beyond

The newest version of the REACH software (3.0) now runs on a Windows 7 platform.

- Celeron 1.06GHz Processor
- 320GB Hard Drive
- 2GB RAM
- Bluetooth® 2.1
- 802.11 WiFi



Additonally, a beefier version of the REACH ECU has been developed known as REACH Beyond. REACH Beyond has all the benefits of the original ECU with additional RAM and HD capacity for resource hungry add-ons such as Dragon Naturally Speaking.

- Intel® Core™ i7-640LM 2.13GHz Processor
- 500GB Hard Drive
- 8GB RAM
- Dual Battery Packs
- Bluetooth® 2.1
- 802.11 WiFi


July 28, 2011 - Cincinnati, OH
Break Boundaries develops Wireless switch Adapter


Many switches have an 1/8th inch mono or stereo plug. These switches require a Switch Adapter to convert the plug to USB. The inclusion of the Wireless Switch Adapter not only converts the switch to USB but also makes it wireless, preventing the user from being tethered to the ECU by a cable.




April 7, 2011 - Cincinnati, OH
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

Break Boundaries Exhibits REACH at the Drake Center
Groundbreaking technology offers people with disabilities assistive devices to help control their living environments.
One common challenge for people with disabilities is controlling devices throughout their living environments. REACH technology (Remote Electronic Access and Control - Hands-free) allows a person with disabilities that limit mobility or motor skills the opportunity to independently control dozens of products and devices in their home or residential living facility by touch screen, voice commands, head movements, or switch scanning with the movement of nearly any body part.

About Drake Center
Drake Center is the leading provider of specialized medical and rehabilitative care in the Tri-state area, offering a complete range of inpatient and outpatient care. Services include long-term acute care (medically complex care and rehabilitation), skilled nursing, outpatient therapy, wellness services, and assisted living.
For more information, visit www.drakecenter.com or call 513-948-2500.

About Break Boundaries
Break Boundaries is dedicated to helping people with disabilities increase their independence and improve their quality of life with assistive technologies or electronic aids to daily living (EADL).
For more information on REACH, Break Boundaries, and dealer opportunities, visit www.breakboundaries.com.

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817


July 12, 2008 - West Chester, OH
Break Boundaries Participates in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition


Break Boundaries recently took part in ABC's Emmy-winning television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The Akers family of West Chester, Ohio are overcoming many obstacles everyday and we were honored to help break some of those boundaries.


Sundays, 8/7c on ABC
Watch on Oct 5th, 2008
Click here to learn more.

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817


June 10, 2008 - Burlington, KY
Break Boundaries announces REACH 2.0.


An updated version of the original ECU with a new backing plate to better secure hardware
and added editing features to make copying and pasting of buttons and menus easier.


Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817


October 18, 2007 - Cincinnati, OH
Break Boundaries to Host "New Assistive Technologies for Caregivers and Receivers" for Caring Matters.


Location:
The Crowne Plaza
5901 Pfeiffer Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45242

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817


May 9, 2006 - Burlington, KY
Break Boundaries Selects Local Woman with Multiple Sclerosis as REACH Recipient

Break Boundaries solicited and accepted nominations for the REACH Award Program through the fall. Break Boundaries wanted to grant REACH to someone deserving and in-need.

From all of the nomination forms, Break Boundaries selected Mindy Riddle as the recipient of a REACH system. Mindy has Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis is a neuromuscular disease that can cause a variety of symptoms, including impaired mobility, changes in sensation, visual problems, muscle weakness, depression, and difficulties with coordination and speech.

Mindy spends most days in a powered wheelchair or confined to bed. She has good days when she has move her hands and arms with little difficulty or pain. But even on the good days, she gets tired very quickly. Some days, she has trouble using her hands at all. And a care taker or family member is not always available. So turning on a light or changing the channel can be difficult or painful.

After Mindy was selected, Break Boundaries visited Mindy in her home to assess her needs and to explain her options. After selecting a rolling floor mount (DAESSY Rolling Floor Mount) and several accessories, REACH was installed. Within minutes of installing the system, Mindy was navigating REACH and controlling a variety of items.

With REACH, Mindy is now controlling a number of items in her home, including lights, television, satellite, DVD player, VCR, and stereo. She may be adding a specialty telephone, fan and blinds soon. Many other items can be controlled. She can do all of this with voice commands or with the touch screen. If her condition worsens (Multiple Sclerosis can also effect the voice), Mindy has the option to use an adaptive mouse or switch scanning with REACH.

REACH offers control of one's living environment with touch, voice recognition, adaptive mouse and switch scanning. This makes it idea for people with progressive conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis or ALS. REACH is available from Break Boundaries and from authorized dealers nationwide and in Canada.

About Break Boundaries
Break Boundaries is dedicated to helping people with disabilities increase their independence and improve their quality of life with assistive technologies or electronic aids to daily living (EADL).
For more information on REACH, Break Boundaries, and dealer opportunities, visit www.breakboundaries.com or call 859-240-2817.

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817


April 20, 2006 - Cincinnati, OH

Drake Center and Break Boundaries to Host Environmental Control System Demonstration.
Groundbreaking technology offers people with disabilities assistive devices to help control their living environments.

Drake Center and Break Boundaries are demonstrating the REACH environmental control system on Thursday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Drake Transitional Living Suite, located on 151 West Galbraith Road in Hartwell.

One common challenge for people with disabilities is controlling devices throughout their living environments. REACH technology (Remote Electronic Access and Control - Hands-free) allows a person with disabilities that limit mobility or motor skills the opportunity to independently control dozens of products and devices in their home or residential living facility by touch screen, voice commands, head movements, or switch scanning with the movement of nearly any body part.

Created by Break Boundaries, the REACH system helps manage a person's living environment for functions such as:

- Adjusting the bed
- Calling for help or assistance
- Controlling audio and video equipment
- Dialing and answering the phone
- Turning the lights on and off
- Opening and closing the door
- Operating other home devices

Drake Center is now an evaluation site for this equipment. An individualized demonstration will allow persons to experience the unique functions of the REACH system in Drake’s transitional living suite (an area that simulates a home environment). To schedule a personal demonstration on Thursday, April 20 at Drake Center, or for additional information, please contact 513-948-2575.

About Drake Center
Drake Center is the leading provider of specialized medical and rehabilitative care in the Tri-state area, offering a complete range of inpatient and outpatient care. Services include long-term acute care (medically complex care and rehabilitation), skilled nursing, outpatient therapy, wellness services, and assisted living.
For more information, visit www.drakecenter.com or call 513-948-2500.

About Break Boundaries
Break Boundaries is dedicated to helping people with disabilities increase their independence and improve their quality of life with assistive technologies or electronic aids to daily living (EADL).
For more information on REACH, Break Boundaries, and dealer opportunities, visit www.breakboundaries.com or call 866-646-6383.

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817


April 6, 2006 - Burlington, KY
Break Boundaries' REACH Helps Restore Teen's Independence

The owners of Break Boundaries granted a local teen's holiday wish for assistive technology to control his environment.

Reading "The Cincinnati Enquirer's" Holiday Wish List is often very touching. Finding that you are in a position to help is rewarding. In December, one of the Holiday Wish List features described how 17 year-old Jeremy Driskill had been in a car accident leaving him a quadriplegic. Jeremy was requesting several assistive technology devices that could give him control of a limited number of items in his home.

The owners of Break Boundaries saw that their product, REACH would surpass the features and functions of the device that Jeremy was requesting. REACH is an Environmental Control Unit (ECU) or Electronic Aid to Daily Living (EADL) that offers control of a variety of device in one's living area. REACH can be operated with touch, voice recognition, adaptive mouse (such as a head mouse or joystick) and switch scanning.

Working with Beth McCarty, an Occupational Therapist with the Aaron W. Perlman Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Break Boundaries provided Jeremy with REACH and several accessories at no charge.

With REACH, Jeremy is now controlling a number of items in him home, including telephone, lights, television, satellite, DVD player, VCR, stereo, and his bed. Many other items can be controlled. He can do all of this with voice commands or with the mouth joystick that controls his wheelchair. Installing and using Dragon Naturally Speaking, Jeremy can also use REACH as a computer to work on his schoolwork.

Within minutes of installing the system, Jeremy was navigating REACH and controlling a variety of items. "This is very impressive!" reacted Jeremy.

About Break Boundaries
Break Boundaries is dedicated to helping people with disabilities increase their independence and improve their quality of life with assistive technologies or electronic aids to daily living (EADL).
For more information on REACH, Break Boundaries, and dealer opportunities, visit www.breakboundaries.com or call 859-647-8650.

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817


March 13, 2006 - Burlington, KY
Break Boundaries Demonstrates REACH to Shepherd Center in Atlanta

Break Boundaries is demonstrating REACH, a new Environmental Control Unit, to the rehabilitation department at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. "We will be demonstrating how REACH can help individuals with a variety disabilities," says Tim Gleim of Break Boundaries. "REACH can help them take control of their surroundings, such as turning lights off and on, opening and closing doors, answering and dialing the telephone, controlling audio and video equipment and much more."

Following the presentation at Shepherd Center, REACH is being demonstrated at Assistive Technology Center across Tennessee. Break Boundaries is currently demonstrating REACH to hospitals, therapy and rehabilitation facilities in Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis, Lexington, and Louisville.

About Break Boundaries
Break Boundaries is dedicated to helping people with disabilities increase their independence and improve their quality of life with assistive technologies or electronic aids to daily living (EADL). For more information on REACH, Break Boundaries and dealer opportunities, visit www.breakboundaries.com or call 859-647-8650.

About Shepherd Center
Shepherd Center is an Atlanta-based catastrophic care hospital, treating people with spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries, multiple sclerosis and other neuromuscular illnesses and urological problems. For more information on Shepherd Center, visit www.shepherd.org
or call 404-352-2020.

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817


March 3, 2006 - Burlington, KY
Break Boundaries Demonstrates REACH to Hazelwood Center in Louisville

Break Boundaries is demonstrating REACH, a new Environmental Control Unit, to the rehabilitation department at Hazelwood Center in Louisville. "We will be demonstrating how REACH can help individuals with a variety disabilities," says Kevin Flerlage of Break Boundaries. "REACH can help them take control of their surroundings, such as turning lights off and on, opening and closing doors, answering and dialing the telephone, controlling audio and video equipment and much more."

Break Boundaries is currently demonstrating REACH to therapy and rehabilitation facilities in Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis, Lexington, and Louisville.

For more information on REACH, Break Boundaries and dealer opportunities, visit www.breakboundaries.com or call 513.645.4203.

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817


December 15, 2005 - Burlington, KY
Break Boundaries Exhibits REACH at ATIA in Orlando

Break Boundaries will be exhibiting and demonstrating REACH at the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) meeting in Orlando January 18-21, 2006. Visit Break Boundaries at booth 1003-1005.

REACH is an Electronic Aid to Daily Living (EADL) or Environmental Control Unit (ECU) which gives seniors and people with disabilities control over devices in their living environment and more independence.

With REACH you can independently control many products without the help of a nurse or caretaker. You can control blinds, doors, lights, telephone, fans, audio video systems, clock radio and bed control (some items require specific equipment). REACH will allow the user to perform tasks with simple voice commands, with the touch of a button, with head movements, or with the movements of just about any body part. The controller can be mounted on a wheel chair, the bed, or used as a handheld.

Break Boundaries is a division of Home Technologies Corporation – developers, designers and installers of home automation and control systems. Break Boundaries is dedicated to helping people with disabilities increase their independence and improve their quality of life with assistive technologies or electronic aids to daily living (EADL).

For more information on REACH, Break Boundaries and dealer opportunities, visit www.breakboundaries.com or call 513.645.4203.

ATIA 2006 is January 18-21 at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. For more information on ATIA 2006, visit www.atia.org.

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817


November 28, 2005 - Burlington, KY
Technology Aid Offers Independence for Seniors and People with Disabilities

REACH from Break Boundaries is an Electronic Aid to Daily Living (EADL) or Environmental Control Unit (ECU) which gives seniors and people with disabilities control over devices in their living environment and more independence.

People with disabilities have many issues they must deal with on a daily basis, particularly disabilities such as Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), Cerebral Palsy, Huntington's Disease, Spinal Cord/Brain Injuries, Paralysis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia or any other disability that limits mobility or motor skills. One issue is the ability or inability to control devices throughout the home.

With REACH you can independently control many products without the help of a nurse or caretaker. You can control blinds, doors, lights, telephone, fans, audio video systems, clock radio and bed control (some items require specific equipment). REACH will allow the user to perform tasks with simple voice commands, with the touch of a button, with head movements, or with the movements of just about any body part. The controller can be mounted on a wheel chair, the bed, or used as a handheld.

Frank Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Home Technologies Corporation explains, "We have designed a system that is extremely easy to use and flexible enough to provide for the user's needs - whether a senior or a person with a disability." REACH is easy to use and the menus/screens can be customized to fit the needs of the user.

Explains Allen, "REACH is extremely versatile. The various control options fit a wide array of abilities and are ideal for someone with a progressive condition. REACH is suited for use at home or in a residential care facility." In the Cincinnati area, several care facilities are working with Break Boundaries to have REACH available to their patients and residents.

"The benefit of this system goes beyond facilities," says Allen. "This system as well as additional features can really benefit people with disabilities or special needs in the home setting. Not only can it create more independence, but provide ease of care and peace of mind for the families."

REACH is available from a growing number of dealers in markets across the United States. REACH will also be offered directly from Break Boundaries in order to serve markets without dealers.

Break Boundaries is a division of Home Technologies Corporation - developers, designers and installers of home automation and control systems. Break Boundaries is dedicated to helping people with disabilities increase their independence and improve their quality of life with assistive technologies or electronic aids to daily living (EADL). With Home Technologies' experience with programming and consumer electronics, Break Boundaries has been able to develop a versatile and full-featured product that will allow people with disabilities to control their surroundings.

For a demonstration of REACH, contact Break Boundaries. Appointments can be made at the Home Technologies Showroom or at the Beechwood Home demonstration room.

For more information on REACH, Break Boundaries and dealer opportunities, visit www.breakboundaries.com or call 513.645.4203

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817




June 14, 2005 - West Chester, Ohio
Break Boundaries Announces Electronic Aid for People with Disabilities

Break Boundaries, a division of Home Technologies Corporation, announces REACH (Remote Electronic Access & Control Hands-free), a product that allows people with disabilities to control their environment.

People with disabilities have many issues they must deal with on a daily basis, particularly disabilities such as Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), Cerebral Palsy, Huntington's Disease, Spinal Chord Injuries, or any other mobility disability. One issue is the ability or inability to control devices throughout the home. Break Boundaries focuses on our customers' unique circumstances to provide solutions.

REACH will allow the user to perform tasks with simple voice commands, with the touch of a button, with head movements, or with the movements of just about any body part. The controller can be mounted on a wheel chair, the bed, or used as a handheld. REACH is easy to use and versatile enough for use at home or in a residential care facility.

With REACH you can independently control many products without the help of a nurse or caretaker. This can all be done completely hands-free.

Control:
- Audio Video Systems
- Fans
- Lights and Lamps
- Telephone
- Blinds and Shades
- Doors
- Clock Radio
- Bed Control (model specific)
- Nurse Call (facilities only)

Frank Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Home Technologies Corporation explains, "We have designed a system that is extremely easy to use and flexible enough to provide for the user's needs. We worked with residents and staff at Beechwood Home in Cincinnati during development to determine the needs of people with disabilities. Beechwood Home is an amazing facility providing exceptional quality of care. Now a resident does not have to rely on staff to make a phone call, turn the channel on the TV or adjust the lighting."

"The benefit of this system goes beyond facilities," says Allen. "This system as well as additional features can really benefit a person with disabilities or special needs in the home setting. Not only can it create more independence, but provide ease of care and peace of mind for the families."

Break Boundaries is dedicated to helping people with disabilities increase their independence and improve their quality of life with assistive technologies or electronic aids to daily living (EADL). With Home Technologies' experience with programming and consumer electronics, Break Boundaries has been able to develop a full-featured product that will allow people with disabilities to control their surroundings.

For a demonstration of REACH, contact Break Boundaries. Appointments can be made at the Home Technologies Showroom or at the Beechwood Home demonstration room.

For more information on Break Boundaries, visit www.breakboundaries.com or call 513.645.4203

Contact: Matt Hackman, Director of Operations
Telephone: 859-240-2817