Empowering Lives Through Modern Technology

Discovering our own empowerment

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My name is Tom Burk.  I am co-founder and Board Chairman for Indepentech, LLC and this is our story. 

Shortly after my son (Michael, co-founder and President) began a new job, we met for lunch and a tour of his new office.  During the visit, he showed me a room where his company demonstrated smart home technology.  As I sat in the room and saw the demo, I realized the potential of this product to help people with disabilities.

Living with a disability myself, I understand how difficult functioning in the world can be.  I have worked with organizations that help people with disabilities and noted that there are very few people with disabilities working in these organizations.  As a result, I have encountered many one-size-fits-all solutions.  However, in the disability community not everyone has the same needs or the same challenges.  Most organizations have an all-or-nothing approach.  People with disabilities want to be as independent as possible, which means tailoring support to their needs.

Why Indepentech?  Many people with disabilities lack the financial resources to buy a new home, and getting approval from health insurance agencies for smart home purchases is rarely possible.  This new technology can be easily retrofitted into an existing home.  No building permits are needed, and no electricians, plumbers or construction workers, either.  A team of technicians can install this product in days, not weeks.  It has a minimal footprint, no more than a toaster.  It is self-contained, no internet necessary and comes with its own backup power supply.  It will continue to function when the power goes out.  The safety and security of this system is outstanding.  The value was obvious, but how can we deliver it to people who could not otherwise afford it in a custom-fit manner?

The solution soon became apparent: we build it.  And at that moment, Indepentech was born.  My sons (Thomas Jr, Michael, and Kevin) and I immediately began forming a company that would, at no cost to the consumer, upgrade existing homes with this new technology.  Helping people with disabilities, who are often left to do without or struggle unnecessarily, is our vision.  We decided we would be a not-for-profit organization that raises money through various avenues such as crowdfunding, government grants, private and organizational donations. 

We have partnered with a company that is a distributor and has the resources to install and support this technology in existing homes.  Indepentech will work with local agencies such as the VA, independent living centers, senior care and other organizations that work with people with disabilities to identify people in need.  Indepentech will then assess the needs; work with the individuals to determine the technology needed; procure the funding; and provide the product, installation and support all at no cost to the individual.  The need is great, 35.2% of the US population deals with some type of physical disability.  This new technology will address the needs of this group and provide life changing independence and a new sense of safety and security.