The latest in our summer 2026 series on what Easterseals affiliates across the country are learning from BridgingApps and our Expansion Pilot project. Today’s report is from Gannon Olson, Accessibility Specialist at the Oak Hill affiliate in Hartford, Connecticut.
Q: What would you say is the most surprising thing you’ve learned so far?
Gannon Olson: The importance of having an open mind, and being intentional, when making technology accessible. When you look at everything from the user’s perspective, you know better which apps are helpful or frustrating for the individual who will rely on the technology to support their independence. Then, the product you recommend to a client proves more beneficial to their quality of life.
Q: What other important questions has the Expansion training answered for you?
Gannon Olson: One of the most important things the training has taught me, is how to explore different apps and assistive technology. Thanks to the BridgingApps program, I’ve been introduced to a new variety of apps that support individuals with diverse needs—resources that I hadn’t known were available.
Some of our favorite apps are:
- Calm. I like its guided-meditation breathing exercises, its sleep stories, and the relaxation techniques that help users build coping skills and manage stress.
- Proloquo2Go. Its customizable vocabulary, user-friendly interface, and powerful communication features make it a valuable tool for fostering independence.
- Seeing AI, which provides information about the surrounding environment for people who are blind or have low vision. It can identify people, text, and products.
Q: How else will what you have learned enable you to better serve your clients?
Gannon Olson: Participating in this program has provided me with valuable knowledge and practical tools that will significantly enhance the support we can offer. Again, I have learned a lot about how to identify and evaluate apps that support independence for individual users. This knowledge will allow us to make more informed recommendations, and to ensure that the assistive technology is well tailored to each client’s abilities, goals, and preferences.
About Oak Hill
Easterseals of Oak Hill prides itself on being “Connecticut’s Largest Private Provider of Services to People With Disabilities.” Its services include specially designed group homes, mental-health resources, and a Center for Relationship & Sexuality Education (CRSE).
Trivia bit: Although Connecticut is the third smallest state in the U.S., it’s home to three Easterseals affiliates: Oak Hill; Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut; and Greater Waterbury, Central and Northwest Connecticut. (Greater Waterbury is the largest, having twelve campuses in various cities.)