The Foglia Residences, featuring 76 apartments equipped with voice-activated assistants, opened its doors to individuals with vision impairments or blindness on October 30, according to a report from Fox 32 Chicago.
With the snip of a ribbon, The Foglia Residences in Chicago began welcoming new residents. This apartment complex is the first in the United States specifically designed for individuals who are blind or have vision impairments. Each apartment is outfitted with voice-activated Alexa assistants, donated by Amazon. The units are decorated in neutral tones with high contrast elements such as black wall outlets to facilitate easier living for those with low vision. Nineteen of the 76 units are reserved for residents from the Chicago Housing Authority.
According to the report, this project took more than two years and was over half-funded by low-income housing tax credits. It was spearheaded by the Chicago Lighthouse, a nonprofit organization that serves individuals who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veterans. The Foglia Residences is part of the Chicago Lighthouse’s independent living program, which provides resources tailored to the needs of the visually impaired community.
The first tenants of this affordable housing development will be offered Amazon Smart Plugs, Blink doorbells, and Echo Show smart displays. Clients of The Lighthouse who have vision impairments will also have access to these devices through the Lighthouse’s Tools for Living Store. These clients will collaborate with Amazon to provide feedback aimed at improving device accessibility.
Since 1906, The Chicago Lighthouse has been providing vision care and social services to enhance the lives of individuals and families. Their mission is to empower people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veterans by offering employment opportunities and a supportive community. Under President and CEO Dr. Janet Szlyk's leadership, The Lighthouse serves over 50,000 individuals annually across Chicagoland with specialized education, employment opportunities, and independent-living resources.