Katherine Swarts – BridgingApps

students and teacher gathered around a laptop at table

The Upgraded and Improved TexasYouth2Adult

BridgingApps’ TexasYouth2Adult website got a major upgrade in 2024, thanks to a generous grant from UnitedHealthcare (UHC). UHC’s support has allowed us to make a number of much-needed site updates and other improvements to this unique resource for youth with…

Youth2Adult Breaks New Ground: Introducing the Virginia Transition Tool

Our TexasYouth2Adult website/tool, “created to empower youth with special health care needs to transition successfully into adulthood,” now has a sister site for Virginia. Why a Transition Tool? For those used to individualized education programs, the world beyond high school…

3 adults sitting on couch together looking at laptop

10 Tips for Making Progress That Counts

“Life is a marathon, not a sprint”—but who can wait until the 26th mile to savor the joy of accomplishment? Without regular milestones to mark progress, it’s easy to get discouraged and give up. Whether your long-term goal is to…

Holiday Apps for Family Travel

When it comes to holiday travel, getting there is rarely half the fun. Not when you’re dealing with heavy luggage, winter driving, crowded roads and airports, security checks—and frustrated, bored, overstimulated children. Our BridgingApps for Traveling Over the Holidays list…

Planning Autism-Friendly Holidays for Your Children

For children with autism, the holidays aren’t always happy. Flashing lights, loud music, and strange aromas assault the senses. Noisy crowds are everywhere. Routines are disrupted. And with end-of-year school breaks, parents often bear a double burden: managing the children…

dad helping young daughter with homework

What Is National Special Education Day?

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving Day! You may also have observed some of the days attached to Thanksgiving: If you’re a churchgoer, you may know that in 2024, “Thanksgiving Sunday” (December 1) was also the first Sunday of Advent.…

family in front of Christmas tree taking selfie

BridgingApps Holiday App Favorites 🎄

Post-Thanksgiving days are here, and the next few weeks will be a blur of: Be sure to save time for the quieter traditions: the candles and meditations and peaceful family nights. However your family prefers to celebrate, there’s an app…

Family Caregivers and Thanksgiving Celebrations

November is National Family Caregivers Month. There are over 37 million family caregivers in the U.S. When you’re the primary caregiver for a family member with disabilities, it can be hard remembering to take care of yourself, too. And there…

Journaling Apps for Counting Your Blessings

What are your Thanksgiving plans this year? Whatever your abilities or life situation, don’t forget the “thanks” part. Gratitude makes you happier and healthier, and it attracts other good things to your life. Writing or recording specific blessings helps thankfulness…

Three people in a parking lot celebrating a shared moment; one uses a wheelchair and speech-generating device, another shows a badge, and the third gestures a thumbs-up.

Voting with a Disability

For people with disabilities, it is critical to have a voice. Voting is my loudest voice. No question our government leaders have good intentions of providing support and resources, but they often fail on follow-through. We have so much to…