Katherine Swarts – Page 14

Meltdown-Proofing the Busiest Weeks of the Year

With all the meltdown triggers in the world, the common element is stress: stress of unfamiliar situations, stress of physical discomfort, stress of unreasonable demands, stress of overload. Even minor stresses, when they pile up for too long, can trigger…

Christmas socks on feet in front of tree

Making Time to Relax

By mid-December, many people are already a bit overdosed on holiday cheer. A constant stream of ads, crowds, and sugar highs is particularly challenging if your children are prone to meltdowns in the face of overstimulation. Perhaps you’re feeling on…

friends exchanging gifts in front of Christmas tree

Gift-Giving on a Budget

You may be among those prudent souls who create a “holiday savings fund” each year, putting aside a little each month to ensure ample funds when gift-buying season arrives. If you’ve never considered the idea, don’t feel bad: few souls…

Digital Shopping to Reduce Holiday Stress

If you hate the sensory overload of mall shopping, there’s no need to force yourself. Digital shopping has been a convenient alternative for years—all the more so now that most stores have their own apps. Using an App for Shopping…

children's hands coloring Christmas image

Assistive Technology for Holiday Events

Typical “holiday fun”—flashing lights, music, big parties—isn’t fun for everyone. With autism, epilepsy, or sensory processing disorder, even grocery shopping can be a trigger-loaded environment in December. And what do you do if everyone in your family is eager to…

woman in wheelchair working at desk with laptop. man sitting across desk

Accessibility and Sustainability: Considering the Global Picture

“New York City, Las Vegas are among the 10 most accessible cities in the world for people with disabilities,” reported CNBC.com in November 2022. Orlando is the only other North American city among the top ten: the remaining seven are…

mom on couch looking at phone with sick child laying in her lap

Seasonal Health Apps

Changing seasons bring new health concerns. Right now, as fall turns into winter, those concerns include: To help you take care of yourself, we’ve compiled a list of the best apps for managing seasonal health needs. Enjoy your December, and…

Expanding Digital Access: Making New Contacts, Looking Ahead

Did you know that in the digital age, one in five U.S. households still lack adequate broadband service? And in the age of accessibility, many digital resources still lack accommodations for users with disabilities. Much of the solution lies in…

In Honor of Special Education

December 2, the 48th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), is officially recognized as Special Education Day. Take time this week to congratulate a special-education student, teacher, or advocate. While “special education” usually means disability accommodations, everyone…

How Digitally Literate Are You?

Briefly defined, “digital literacy” is a working grasp of skills needed to navigate the internet, send texts and emails, join video calls, use various apps, and otherwise take advantage of digital technology. But there’s more to it than that. You…