Today, we continue our new series of posts on what Easterseals affiliates across the country are learning from BridgingApps and our Expansion Pilot project. The following comments are from John Swartz, Respite Coordinator of Community Outreach and Assistive Technology at Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Q: What are the most surprising things you’ve learned so far?
John Swartz: What surprised me the most is just the wealth of apps already showcased on the BridgingApps website. It’s encouraging to see that so many companies and developers are thinking about apps for caregivers, children, or individuals with disabilities. The BridgingApps site makes it easy to do wide, detailed searches for apps to serve our clients and participants. It’s allowing me to really demonstrate what is available to many people—including others in my same field—that they just haven’t been made aware of.
Q: What important questions has the Expansion training answered for you?
John Swartz: My most important questions were, “How can I do this?” and, “Do I have the time to do this?”—because I don’t consider myself someone with a deep knowledge of apps. The training has helped expand my knowledge of, and familiarity with, what is available. But it’s also helped me develop a rhythm for recommending assistive technology as part of my regular work. It’s become natural to include information about BridgingApps, and specific apps I have learned about, in professional conversations with coworkers, caregivers, and Easterseals participants.
In other words, the trainings have shown me how to add effectiveness to my work without actually adding anything to my work schedule. Which is very helpful for not feeling overwhelmed.
Q: And what are some of your favorite apps?
John Swartz: Some great ones I’ve seen covered in the trainings are:
- Apple Health,
- Dollars & Cents [for teaching basic money skills, including shopping and making change],
- Helperbird [for literacy skills, including voice typing and dyslexia accessibility], and
- The Mighty (a caregiver-community app I’m in the process of writing a review for).
Q: How else is the BridgingApps training helping you better serve contacts and clients?
John Swartz: I appreciate being able to share resources with caregivers, whether they need to find support, communicate with one another, or help loved ones with daily reminders. But most importantly, just being able to let my coworkers know about the BridgingApps website has been a win. When talking with other direct-support professionals who need tools for clients, having had the opportunity to test apps myself lets me know I’m recommending something which is reliable and well-vetted, and which meets specific needs.