May 31 is the last day of Speech-Language-Hearing Month. June 1 is the first day of hurricane season. This article recognizes both. Here Comes Summer—Here Come Weather Worries “What is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever,…
Category: Assistive Technology
Client Story: A Child’s Communication Journey
We close out Speech-Language-Hearing Month with this Client Story from Daryn Ofczarzak, Speech Language Pathologist at BridgingApps and Easter Seals Greater Houston. Frances is a seven-year-old girl with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, who uses an eye-gaze computer to communicate. I…
The Challenge of Invisible AT: Assistive Technology, Smartphones, and IEPs
You’ve probably heard of “invisible disabilities”: chronic pain, Level 1 autism, and epilepsy, to name a few. Assistive technology (AT) can also be “invisible.” And in either case, “invisible” often means “misunderstood.” Hidden in Plain Sight Think of AT as…
Happy National AT Awareness Day! The World of Expertise vs. Experience
National AT Awareness Day is Wednesday, April 30. This post is dedicated to everyone who prioritizes individual needs when finding or recommending assistive technology. “I know what’s best for you.” As in “Because I said so.” As in something frequently…
Parkinson’s Disease: Basics, Lesser-Known Facts, and Helpful Hints
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. have Parkinson’s disease, with 90,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Most Parkinson’s patients (96 percent) are over 50; more men than women are affected. Common symptoms include: These…
Digital Notes and Other Organizers
If you have autism, an organized life is probably extra-important to you. This article is dedicated to April as Autism Month, and to everyone who works with autism-friendly technology. Some Organization Tools Do you have more appointments, duties, and goals…
BridgingApps Tech Tools Expand to Easterseals Affiliates
Q: What do the following activities have in common? A: You can find recommended tools for doing all the above in the BridgingApps database, aka the “App Search Tool!” And those are just a few examples. Everyone’s heard “there’s an…
Smart Screens and Smart Speakers: 4 Ways You Can Use Them at Home
Smart screen: Audiovisual technology that connects all smart devices in a home or other building/facility. Can be operated by touch or voice. Also called a “smart display.” Smart speaker: A voice-operated audio system that can also connect smart devices. A…
AT for Everyone
We salute everybody working to bring assistive technology (AT) to the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color) demographic. “BIPOC” comprises most people who identify as “nonwhite” races or ethnicities, including Asian American, Native American, Hispanic/Latinx, and many others. Check…
ESGH Youth Council: A Report from the Field
The Youth Action Council (YAC) of Easter Seals Greater Houston is a student-led group that encourages community leadership, emphasizes youth engagement, and supports the ESGH mission. Their work reaches beyond Houston—sometimes even overseas. In November 2024, YAC member Fife Famurewa…