Enabling technology includes various forms of devices and technology to support an individual to live as independently as possible. Examples include:
- Remote monitoring or support systems (e.g., clinical management platforms)
- Wearable or other smart devices (e.g., smart watches and personal emergency response systems)
- Mobile applications (e.g., medication tracking applications)
- Communication systems (e.g., smart doorbells and video conference platforms); and
- Home sensors (e.g., motion sensors and carbon monoxide detectors).
Promote independence
Improve quality of life and quality outcomes
Support caregivers and the direct care workforce
Enable more people to participate fully in their everyday lives
The Enabling Technology Engagement Network (ETEN), led by ADvancing States and National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), brings together state policymakers, health plan partners, and tech vendors to address challenges, accelerate innovation, and open doors to new market opportunities.
Advisory Group
One pillar of the ETEN is the Technical Advisory Group, consisting of seven states who are leaders in this space: DC, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. These states will chart a pathway forward to expand availability of and access to innovative enabling technology to improve client outcomes.
Affinity Group
Another pillar is the Affinity Group, which includes Advisory Group states and all other interested state members. This group tests policy ideas and recommendations from the Advisory Group, shares information about their issues and initiatives, and develops policy strategies and recommendations to expand availability and access.
Collaborative Group
The Collaborative Group includes the Advisory Group, selected enabling technology vendors, and select health plans. This group meets periodically to discuss challenges in enabling technology, policy solutions, and other considerations.
The following enabling technology vendors are participating in the ETEN Collaborative:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
If you are a vendor who is interested in joining the Collaborative, you can find more information here.
Conferences
The HCBS Conference and NASDDDS Conference will feature an enabling technology show room and enabling technology intensives.
The HCBS Conference is August 23-27, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. More information about the conference can be found here.
The NASDDDS Directors Forum and Annual Conference was November 2-5 in Chicago, IL. More information about upcoming conferences can be found here.
The State of Enabling Technology in LTSS Programs in 2024
In 2023, ADvancing States partnered with Health Systems Transformation, a small consulting company focused on fostering technology innovation in LTSS programs, to conduct research, surveys, interviews, and state affinity groups on key issues surrounding the adoption of enabling technology in state programs. Survey responses were solicited from state aging and disability agencies, leading technology companies and Medicaid health plans. The resulting report draws a stark conclusion: Most state LTSS delivery systems are not properly supported by aligned state laws and policies, federal authorities, financing, pricing, access, stakeholder engagement, quality measures, and education and training to allow enabling technology to be delivered to consumers in an agile, equitable, and transparent fashion.
The report offers recommendations for state action and identifies supports that our federal partners can offer to states as they explore ways to help older adults and people with physical disabilities live as independently as possible. Finally, the report highlights some best practices across the country in both Medicaid and aging programs.
Technology Solutions 2.0
NASDDDS started conducting an enabling technology survey in 2019. The most recent Technology Solutions 2.0 report, published in 2024, focuses on funding for technology solutions, service or operational specifications, and benchmarking for Technology First systems change.
Upcoming Reports
The next survey will be conducted jointly by ADvancing States and NASDDDS with an estimated publication in 2026. The report will contain information about the use of enabling technologies to support individuals who are aging, have a physical disability, and individuals with developmental disabilities.