Welcome to the second post in our summer 2026 series from the Easterseals affiliates in our Expansion Pilot project. The following comments are from Tracy Keninger, Director of Rural Solutions/Assistive Technology Center at Easterseals Iowa. (Information tidbit: Easterseals Iowa services include a federally funded Assistive Technology Act program.)
Q: What important questions has the Expansion training answered for you?
Tracy Keninger: We have often faced challenges staying current with the rapidly growing number of available apps. Determining which apps are truly accessible, affordable, and effective can be overwhelming; and the time required to research and evaluate these tools is significant.
The Expansion grant project has been a key catalyst in addressing these challenges. We’ve learned how to stay informed about available apps, and how to determine appropriate apps for clients and families. BridgingApps has shown us a consistent and reliable approach to identifying, vetting, and sharing high-quality apps, ensuring that the information we deliver to our clients is both valuable and practical. We have been highly impressed by the depth and breadth of knowledge gained through each BridgingApps training course, and by the effectiveness with which this information is delivered in virtual format.
Q: What else have you learned so far?
Tracy Keninger: How to expand and extend the new insights we’ve received from the training. We’ve shared everything across our internal teams at Easterseals Iowa, enabling more meaningful support for the individuals we serve, and for the broader community. All this has significantly strengthened our capacity to deliver informed, practical, and impactful assistive-technology solutions.
Q: What are some of your team’s favorite apps?
Tracy Keninger: That’s a challenging question: our team members hold a wide range of perspectives, and the number of options was extensive! Here are just over a dozen recommendations:
- BetterSleep (custom sounds for sleep)
- Finch (self-care)
- Kasa (smart-home controls)
- MyFitnessPal (food and exercise tracking)
- NaturalReader (text-to-speech)
- Nozbe (time management)
- OnStar (navigation and road safety)
- Plaud (recording conversations)
- Proloquo2Go (AAC [augmentative and alternative communication, for users with verbal disabilities])
- Too Good To Go (ordering surplus food from restaurants)
- TouchChat (AAC)
- Word Shaker (Boggle-style game)
- Words With Friends (Scrabble-style game)
- Zen Color (coloring by number)
Q: How else has the Expansion training helped you better serve your clients?
Tracy Keninger: One of the most immediate impacts has been increased efficiency. Before, our team members had to research and evaluate apps on their own, which meant significant time invested in trialing apps and second-guessing the apps’ usefulness. Now that we can rely on BridgingApps as a centralized resource, team members can quickly identify tools to share with clients and families—tools that are not only relevant, but also accessible, affordable, and thoughtfully vetted.
Equally important is the simplicity this brings to the individuals we serve. Now that we’re able to share a single, reliable resource for exploring apps, families don’t have to use multiple links and navigate an overwhelming number of options. This reduces frustration and removes barriers—problems that often led searchers to abandon the process altogether.
The BridgingApps approach has greatly improved the quality and value of the information we provide; and this has been transformative. We’ve reduced time burdens all around, have much greater confidence in the information we share, and can offer simplified access to resources. As a result, we are seeing greater engagement among the individuals we serve, and a higher likelihood that they will actually use these tools in their daily lives. In turn, this fosters independence, connection, and quality of life, demonstrating how this project has truly made a meaningful difference for the people we support.