Katherine Swarts – Page 9

close up image of hands typing on a laptop

Finding Trustworthy Online Sources: The First Google Results Are Rarely the Best

“Google” is a trademark, a proper noun, and a verb. You probably “Google” for online information every day. And that’s fine—for most everyday information. Or for entertainment. But trusting Google is risky if you need really important information, such as:…

older adult woman sitting on couch communicating with laptop

Aging in Place: How Digital Technology Can Help

September is Healthy Aging Month. Today’s article touches on three aspects of healthy aging: minimizing transition stress; minimizing financial stress; and self-care. The U.S. senior population continues to grow; and so does the number of seniors who want to “age…

woman pushing older adult woman in wheelchair outside

Hiking in a Wheelchair

As summer changes to autumn, the U.S. Gulf Coast anticipates the return of cool weather. Outdoor strolls are loaded with health benefits, even for those who can’t “walk” in the standard sense. Many wheelchair users enjoy regular outings, not just…

young adult female sitting on grassy lawn with laptop open. male in wheelchair beside her. autumn colored trees in background

Autumn Is on Its Way: Preparing for Cooler Weather 🍂

The brains behind this blog are all Gulf Coast residents, so we empathize if you’ve had more than enough of summer. In some places, summer is the most beautiful season: in the southeastern U.S., it’s mostly one long slog of…

The World of Communicative Technology: One User’s Journey

Today’s post is written by Andi Fry, our BridgingApps Coordinator for Montgomery County Outreach, in partnership with her adult daughter Megan. Megan was born with severely limited muscle control, which ruled out both verbal speech and sign language for communication.…

young adult woman sitting in wheelchair with bowl of popcorn on lap with tv remote in hand

Staff Picks: Favorite Smart TV Apps

For anyone still wondering what “smart TV” is: it’s what you get when a television set is programmed with internet and streaming capacities. Today, to celebrate September as the start of a new TV season, BridgingApps team members share their…

Program Update from Tara Rocha

Today’s Program Update is from Tara Rocha, our BridgingApps Digital Learning Specialist. Our Digital Literacy Training and job-search program for disabled high school students is in the final months of its two-year Comcast grant, which ends in November. My aim…

Views of Houston Abilities Expo 2024—and the Larger Abilities Expo Program

“Despite [Hurricane] Beryl’s best efforts, the NRG Center structure remains strong and Abilities Expo Houston will proceed on August 2–4.” –Announcement on the Houston Abilities Expo website, July 2024 Houston’s 2024 Abilities Expo had over 20 live programs and nearly…

Switch-Adapted Gadgets and Assistive Technology

Before there was eye-gaze technology, there was switch-operated technology; and for people with limited but functional muscle control, the switch can still be the preferred method. Eyes get fatigued like any other muscle. Alternative-access switches can be manipulated by a…

students and teacher gathered around a laptop at table

Program Update from Ale Gonzalez

Fintech, short for “financial technology,” comprises everything from international cryptocurrency to the Venmo app on your phone. Most people use some form of fintech regularly; still, security and digital literacy often raise concerns. Fintech literacy is among the training services…