Not only is Veterans Day on November 11: November as a whole is an official month for military families. Started in 1996, Military Family Month recognizes the “home front personnel” who fight their own daily battles: It’s important to thank…
Author: Katherine Swarts (page 19)
Chronic Illness and Disability Conference, Houston: 2023 Highlights
“We’re not going to let … society give us a token education and then bury us.” –Disability activist and wheelchair user Judith Heumann, suing for the right to a job in 1970 Equal access has come a long way, but…
TexasYouth2Adult Social Resources
Poor social skills are one common symptom of intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). That doesn’t mean, however, that people with IDD don’t want or need social contact. They just need a little help with the right skills. And the right…
Top Apps for Family Caregivers
November is National Family Caregivers Month 👨👩👧👦 Disability rarely affects just one person. Where special challenges are involved, the whole family is involved—and often the challenges take a toll on everyone’s health. According to the CDC, over a third of family…
BridgingApps in the Field: What’s New in High School Digital Literacy
An update on our work since the last “BridgingApps In the Field” article. How can someone excel throughout their school years, then stall in place after graduation? Usually, it’s because they feel lost in unfamiliar territory. In the world of…
Learning to Speak: When AAC Partners with Verbal Communication
We wrap up Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month with a look at how AAC can partner with verbal speech. Most children develop a spoken vocabulary by age two, and are talking in short sentences by two and a…
In the Pumpkin Patch, 2023
The annual Pumpkin Patch at Easter Seals Greater Houston (ESGH) was held Tuesday afternoon, October 17. Most every department at Loop Central headquarters dressed up its office area and team members for the occasion. Our BridgingApps area featured an “Under…
New BridgingApps List: Women’s Health Apps
October is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, but every month (and day) is a time to stay aware of women’s health concerns. While no age or gender is immune to the self-neglect habit, mothers and working women face unique pressures to focus on responsibility…
The World of Adaptive Fitness
Can intellectual disability place anyone at risk for obesity? Unfortunately, statistics say yes. In the U.S., 39 percent of youngsters are overweight or obese (which is certainly bad enough); but among those with Down syndrome, the rate is 49 percent.…
How to Avoid Unconscious Hiring Biases
This article is dedicated to Disability Employment Awareness Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and everyone working for progress in disability employment. Check our BridgingApps for Employment list of apps that can help job seekers find opportunities, practice social skills, and…