Tech Tips for a Jolly Holiday
by
PSN Team 
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Tech Tips
Smart home technology makes life easier for users of all ages and abilities – and it’s fun! Build your smart and connected home with Google Nest home automation system including smart displays, doorbells, thermostats, wireless speakers, smart light bulbs, and more. Start with Nest Hub, the center of your home. With just a tap or your voice, control thousands of compatible smart devices from one central location. Perhaps your child has difficulty walking unassisted and you would like them to be able to control their lights or fan independently? Or, they would like to watch tv or listen to music? Smart home technology allows them to control their environment from the safety of their bed or favorite chair.
Pinwheel Phone
Looking for more parental control over your child’s smartphone, while helping to support safe habits for their developmental level? Consider the Pinwheel phone, which is a fabulous smartphone that helps parents feel like they are in control, but still allows kids to use their phone for over 100 approved and safe apps excluding social media and the use of a browser. We love how parents can use their own device
For monitoring everything from text messages to calls placed and received on the device. All contacts need to be approved and texts from unknown people sit in a folder waiting for parent approval first. Parents can also set up “modes”, specific to times of the day when their phone can do certain things. This phone is mom and teacher-approved, as it allows kids to do almost everything needed for school – without becoming a zombie. Kids like the sleek design and the fact that it looks like other popular smartphones. This is the perfect phone for families that are looking for a gradual release model for kids in a protected environment without giving full access to phones containing all apps and social media. At the time of the writing of this article, To learn more about the Pinwheel phone click here.
Raz Mobility Memory Phone
Is the perfect phone for individuals who require the simplest experience possible. The device was designed to be an easy-to-use picture phone for people with intellectual disabilities, dementia or Alzheimer’s as well as the needs of their family members. Learn more about the Raz Mobility Memory Phone here:
Stay connected to loved ones this holiday season with Skylight
A digital photo frame. Family and friends can send images to the owner’s unique Skylight email from their phone or computer, and photos arrive in seconds. Learn more about the Skylight Frame here:
Holiday Apps
Message from Santa!
First Class Media B.V.
“Message from Santa” is a fun and interactive app that lets kids receive personalized video messages from Santa Claus himself! Customize the message with your child’s name, age, and other details to create a magical experience. Santa will deliver a special greeting, asking about your child’s holiday wishes and good deeds. It’s a perfect way to spread Christmas cheer and add a bit of magic to the season. Easy to use, it’s an ideal app for parents looking to surprise their little ones with a personalized touch this holiday season!
Price: Free | Offers In-App Purchases
Speak to Santa™ Christmas Call
North Pole Command Centre Limited
VIDEO CALL SANTA – For the first time ever, you can now Video Call Santa! This is not a simple video recording of Santa, this is a dynamic, varied, and realistic simulated call. Santa knows your name, he knows things like your favourite colour, your favourite sport and tons more. He also knows when you’ve been naughty or nice, and he’s not afraid to bring it up during the call! The call can even be recorded to kept forever or shared!
Price: Free – Offers In-App Purchases
Goody – Easy Gifting
Spacetime Ventures LLC
Give a gift with just a name and phone number, as easily as sending a text. No address needed and no payment up front. When you send a gift with Goody, your recipient gets a text with a beautiful unwrapping experience with your gift, a card, and message, and they can put in their address to accept the gift and have it shipped to them.
Price: Free
GiftPlanner
Andrew Milham
GiftPlanner lets you easily keep track of your gift list and events. Keep your gift plan information, including gifts and ideas, stores and prices, purchase statuses, order and tracking numbers, photos, links, and more, in one convenient app! Perfect for your Christmas list, birthday gifts, or any kind of event!
Price: Free – Offers In-App Purchases
This holiday season you have purchased a mobile device for your child, now what? We know that looking for appropriate apps can be overwhelming and figuring out how to get started can turn a well-intentioned giver into a Grinch! Check out BridgingApps App Search Tool to search for apps, create lists and even share them.
ABOUT AUTHORS
BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston, is a community of parents, therapists, doctors and teachers who share information about using mobile devices with people who have special needs.
Amy Fuchs is the Program Coordinator at BridgingApps and a former special education teacher. Amy Barry is the Content Manager and Editor at BridgingApps and mother of five children.
Cristen Reat is co-founder of BridgingApps and a mother who found success when using a mobile device with her younger son who has multiple disabilities. We share a passion for using mobile technology to enhance the lives of people of all ages with disabilities.
FREE DOWNLOAD: PSN Holiday Tip Guide
Helpful Articles
- How to Make the Holidays Memorable During COVID
- 100 + “Mom Approved” Gifts for Kids with Special Needs
- 9 Great Toddler & Preschooler Toys for Kids with Special Needs
- How to be Fabulous Grandparents to a Child with Special Needs
- Socialize Successfully: A Few Simple Tips to Help You During the Holiday Season
- Holiday Help Things I Found to Be Helpful!
- Tips for Photographing Kids with Special Needs
- Holiday “Shared Enjoyment” Dr. Seuss Camera – Grinch Edition
- Tech Fun Favorite Holiday Apps
- The Cutest Elf on the Shelf!
- Tech the Halls and Transform Screen Time to Sharing Time
- Gifts and Giving: Four Moms Share How They Celebrate the Holidays
This post originally appeared on our November/December 2021 Magazine
