CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, November 9, 2018 — On November 12, 2011 while deployed in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Captain Nick Vogt and his team were investigating a newly discovered weapons cache when Vogt stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). Six years later, after two leg amputations, during which he met his future wife — a nurse at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center — Vogt was selected to receive a 100% mortgage-free, brand new custom smart home from the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment) featuring ELAN technology.

The Vogt’s new single-story home offers the family a house that can provide for a veteran with limited-mobility, including mobile control of lighting, security, multi-room audio and video, and even the exterior door locks, all made possible by the ELAN Entertainment and Control System from Nortek Security & Control.
According to Nick Fabrick,vp of integration firm Xtend Technologies, designer and installer of the smart home system, the mobile-device control is a game-changer for Vogt and his family.
“This is my second home project with the Gary Sinise Foundation, and one thing I’ve learned is that these veterans are some of the strongest people in the world,” Fabrick said. “Many everyday tasks require relearning when mobility is limited, and the Xtend AV team is more than proud to help Nick Vogt simplify as many daily activities as possible. Through smartphones, an iPad and ELAN remotes and touchscreens, Nick can now control almost the entire home with one finger, from anywhere.”
Some daily tasks, such as checking the surveillance system, locking doors, playing music or turning off lights can be prohibitively difficult for limited-mobility homeowners like Vogt. Thanks to Xtend Technologies, the home’s ELAN system integrates all of the Lutron lighting and ceiling fans, three Schlage electronic door locks, multi-room audio and video distribution, and a security and surveillance system with five ELAN cameras.
“Designing these homes is all about maximizing utility and access for the injured veteran,” Fabrick added. “In this home, we included three video zones, in the master bedroom, great room and outdoor patio, which each have their audio zone as well. With this design, Vogt and his family can use a variety of devices to control any TV or any room’s audio, even when they are in different rooms.
“No matter where the family is, they have full control. If they want to lock all the doors, it takes just a few taps. If they want to turn on the kitchen lights and patio TV, that’s also just a few taps away. They can easily check the five security camera feeds or answer the front door with the Doorbird video doorbell, which plays audio through the home’s speakers while delivering a live video feed to the ELAN mobile app, enabling Vogt to unlock the electronic locks and let guests in through the app.”
The home was also designed specifically with Vogt’s needs in mind and includes features such as a raised shower platform that he can easily access by himself from his wheelchair, lower kitchen counters and oven, wide hallways, and touchscreens mounted at lower, easier-to-access heights as well as much more.
According to Judith Otter, COO of the Gary Sinise Foundation, the Vogt family’s new home was carefully designed to provide the most useful layout and technologies available. “Working with our valued partners, we’ve provided Vogt with a fully navigable home and empowering technologies to help him regain his daily independence,” she said.