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…
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…
The holidays can mean different things to you and your family depending on your beliefs and traditions. Some families travel during the holidays, either to visit family or friends or just to unwind and relax a bit, while others stay home…
In recognition of Anti-Bullying Week 2023 (November 13–17), and its theme “Make A Noise About Bullying.” Around one child in six experiences sexual abuse before age 18. About as many are bullied physically, verbally, or digitally. Bullies and abusers count…
Much of BridgingApps’ work involves helping children and families find the best assistive technology (AT) to meet their unique needs. There are many pediatric MDs trying to do the same, but lacking full information on AT options. Now, BridgingApps and…
The road to “self-management” (full personal independence) has a long learning curve. If you’re disabled, the curve is even steeper—not only because of the disability itself, but because society still tends to focus on “can’t-dos.” People may have told you,…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
