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…
Category: Assistive Technology
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…
Parenting Special Needs Magazine Holiday Edition 🎄 Technology Empowerment
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…
Speak Out Against Bullying and Abuse
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…
Texas Children’s Hospital, Easter Seals Greater Houston, and the BridgingApps AT Lab
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…
Self-Management Apps for Young Adults
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,…
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…
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…