Currently, there seems to be a never-ending list of apps available for download, and many can increase an individual’s access to and success in the classroom, in the community, or in a variety of other contexts. Over the summer, we’ll highlight several of these apps, so hopefully you find one that fits your lifestyle!

App name: myHomework

Where you can access this app: smartphones, computers/laptops, and tablets

What can this app do?

This app helps you keep track of school assignments to organize your schoolwork and to help ensure you meet all of your deadlines. This app syncs across platforms, so you can access your planner on your computer or on your smartphone. Courses are color-coded and you can activate notifications for reminders about upcoming deadlines.

I’ve used this app and find it helpful when trying to balance multiple classes. At the beginning of the semester, I took some time to insert all of the assignments provided on course syllabi into the app. Then, I had all of my deadlines for my classes in one place and could easily look ahead to anticipate upcoming assignments, tests, and more.

How much does this app cost? This app is free to download. Optional upgrade is available.

Click here to learn more about this app.

Sources:

https://myhomeworkapp.com/

Currently, there seems to be a never-ending list of apps available for download, and many can increase an individual’s access to and success in the classroom, in the community, or in a variety of other contexts. Over the summer, we’ll highlight several of these apps, so hopefully you find one that fits your lifestyle!

App name: Libby

Where you can access this app: smartphones and tablets

What can this app do?

Libby works by connecting with your local library system. It’s available for individuals with a Columbus Metropolitan Library card, and is also available through many other library systems. The app allows you to check out audiobooks, similar to the way you would check out a traditional library book. These audiobooks are available on your electronic device, and can be downloaded for on-the-go listening. Typically, you can check out an audiobook for 21 days. A perk of the app is that it automatically returns the audiobooks, so you don’t need to worry about due dates! In addition to audiobooks, you can also borrow e-books and download them to a Kindle or to devices with the Kindle app.

Many college courses require students to read novels, so Libby is a great alternative and/or supplement to traditional reading. You can add bookmarks to remember important parts of the text, adjust the speed of the audiobook recording, and record notes.

How much does this app cost? The app is free to download. You will need a library card from your community library system to access this app.

Click here to learn more about this app.

Sources:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/libby-by-overdrive/id1076402606?mt=8

https://meet.libbyapp.com/

Check out this article about a graduated TOPS student, Austin, which was recently published by the Ohio State Dental Journal.

See below for an opportunity to participate in a research study.

“The Ohio State University Nisonger Center needs your help to develop an interview about the mental health of youth and young adults with Intellectual Disability (ID). Participants will play an important role in an effort to improve the mental health outcomes of adolescents and young adults with ID.”

Click here to access the recruitment flyer

See below for an opportunity to participate in research.

“We are looking for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, which may include diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, ages 15-30 years to participate in a research study! This study is to enhance the usefulness of learning activities for sexual health education. We also want to learn what we can do to make them more fun for you! We need your help!”

Click here to access the recruitment flyer

See below for an opportunity to participate in research.

“Project STEER (Stakeholders Engaging for Early Intervention Research) is a new, federally-funded project that aims to increase the influence of stakeholder voices in shaping the direction of autism early intervention research. We are looking for individuals from three stakeholder groups (people with autism, parents, early intervention providers) who would be interested in engaging over the course of one year to develop an early intervention research agenda and a framework for stakeholder consultation to research teams. Selected Project STEER participants will be paid for their time on the project ($15/hour) and have all expenses reimbursed (including mileage for travel to meetings).”

Click here to access the recruitment flyer and the FAQs page. Applications are being accepted through the end of June.

Individuals with disabilities may qualify for free, lifetime passes to U.S. National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands. This pass allows individuals with disabilities who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States to access national parks across the nation. There is an online or paper application available, which can be submitted with a one-time $10 processing fee. Follow this link to learn more about how to apply!

The week has flown by. We have spent time getting to know ourselves through assessments. We have had classes to learn about academics at OSU, the internships available, some tips for living independently and how to be social. So much to learn but students are eager to learn and get back in August. Students have asked such good questions about their transitions to campus in the fall.

We have had a lot of fun too! We met some alumni and current students for game night. We headed to Miner 49er and HoundDogs for pizza. Trivia was a bust because it was 21+ only but we stopped for ice cream on the way home instead.

Some of our incoming students were able to get their BuckID’s. Check out Matt’s!

Students have been hard at work on their video presentations. Here is a group working at the Research Commons!

It’s officially the start of one of our favorite times of the year as TOPS Staff – the annual summer College Orientation and Transition Assessment (COTA) Program. COTA is a week-long college orientation experience, during which, incoming TOPS students and rising high school juniors and seniors that are interested in the TOPS program come to Ohio State’s campus for a taste of what it is like to be in college.

Yesterday, we kicked off the week by moving in to the dorms, talking to the students about the Ohio State Student Code of Conduct (because college students have responsibilities, too!), and having a tour of the campus, led by one of our current TOPS students, LaMont.

LaMont showing his excitement after giving a great campus tour!

Students on the campus tour with Ohio Stadium in the background – Go Bucks!

After the amazingly comprehensive tour (thanks, LaMont!), the students broke up into their Scarlet and Gray groups and completed a scavenger hunt on campus – which had the students searching for Brutus statues and the campus newspaper, taking pictures at their favorite spot(s) on campus, and interacting with current Ohio State students. A great time was had by all and we are so excited for what the rest of the week will bring 🙂

Students doing the O-H-I-O in front of the Ohio Stadium stained glass.

Students during the scavenger hunt at their favorite place on campus – the William Oxley Thompson statue on the Oval.