BridgingApps joined the Easter Seals Greater Houston family in 2011, which makes 2026 our 15th anniversary! Today we celebrate with fond memories, fun trivia, and thoughts on how we’ve evolved and how we’ve proudly stayed the same.
A Bit of History
- BridgingApps began in 2010 as SNApps4Kids.com (Special Needs Apps for Kids). It was still using that name when it joined Easter Seals Greater Houston.
- Cristen Reat, now BridgingApps’ Program Director, co-founded SNApps4Kids with Sami Rahman. (They first connected through a monthly support group for parents of children with “special needs.” Cristen’s son Vincent, six years old at the time, has Down syndrome along with autism and vision disabilities. Sami’s son Noah, four years younger, has cerebral palsy.)
- The original idea came from personally seeing how iPads helped young children practice speech and fine-motor skills. The original SNApps4Kids was a support group where parents and therapists could share their favorite educational and therapeutic apps.
Our Last Five Years: From Team Members Who Were There
Q: What new programs/emphases have been added to BridgingApps in the last five years?
Cristen Reat: I’ve seen:
- Increased focus on bridging the digital divide, by providing digital literacy training and web-based tools in the post-pandemic environment.
- Increased website and YouTube channel traffic.
- Accessibility upgrades to the App Search Tool database.
- More videos created, especially on how to use device accessibility features.
- More projects involving mental health.
- More projects involving personal finance.
- Growth in number and diversity of clients served.
- Increased focus on employment-skills training for people with disabilities.
- Increased focus on helping young adults with IDD become independent.
- More lab-on-the-go presentations, in-person and virtual.
- Discovery of many more ways to use technology, thanks to active feedback from clients and other users.
Amy Barry, Digital Marketing Lead: From my perspective working with online tools and marketing, the biggest shift has been increased focus on helping clients choose just the right technology for their families’ needs, in terms of clear content, organization, and ease of understanding. And the App Search Tool is now much better at filtering options.
Tara Rocha, Digital Marketing Specialist: Since COVID, people have become much more comfortable connecting online; so now we have more programs in that format. Our original virtual gathering was a monthly Lunch & Learn series on Facebook, which eventually shifted to Facebook Live sessions of 2–3 minutes each. These quick overviews highlight helpful apps, built-in device features, and the assistive technology support available in our lab.
We’ve also:
- Become early adopters of Digital Navigator training.
- Expanded our services to include regular digital-literacy training [including training for other Easterseals affiliates across the country].
- Added more training on using web-based tools and computers in everyday life.
- Grown our work with senior adults.
BridgingApps’ outreach has more than doubled in the 15 years since we joined ESGH. Here’s a “monthly site visits” graphic from August 2011.
And here’s a corresponding graphic from February 2026: 28,000 visits from 139 countries.
Q: Besides advances in AI, what trends have most affected BridgingApps’ work in the last five years?
Amy: I’ve seen a big shift toward people using mainstream apps and built-in features, instead of specialized tools. A lot of the questions we get now are about where to start, or which tools will work for an individual. And that has largely shaped how we organize and present information.
Cristen: One big, and unfortunate, trend is lack of app sustainability. Many apps we used to recommend have disappeared, or are now available only through paid subscription—which presents a challenge for low-income clients. So we have to update the app database more frequently.
Increased complexity in operating systems also gets more training attention these days; so does the increase in scams and identity theft. We spend a lot of time creating helpful video tutorials, handouts, and other materials that clients can use in day-to-day life.
Our Timeless Mission
Q: What do you consider the most timeless aspects of BridgingApps’ mission?
Amy: What’s remained consistent is the focus on making technology approachable and relevant to real people’s lives. The goal has always been to connect individuals with the right tools in a way that feels clear, practical, and empowering. That helps users feel less overwhelmed; and they are more likely to find something that actually works for them, and keep using it.
Cristen: Five things come to mind:
- Supporting clients throughout their technology journeys.
- Building an interactive community of users from different disciplines and backgrounds.
- Continued improvement of our App Search Tool database.
- As stated in our very first flyer from SNApps4Kids: “Getting Started, App Reviews, How-Tos, Community and Success Stories.” That includes exploring technology as it evolves; sharing wins and challenges; and supporting each other to help make everyday life easier.
- We are always learning!
See also:
- Meet the BridgingApps Team
- BridgingApps Celebrates 10 Years (anniversary post from 2021)