“I had no idea that was possible!”
Yesterday, I worked with a young man struggling to gain independence. To improve his reading, we explored tech features like Immersive Reader in Microsoft 365. We set up Do Not Disturb on his iPhone to limit distractions and used Microsoft To Do with reminders to help him manage his day. No one had ever shown him these tools before.
Later I got to know a colleague over Zoom. She’s an executive coach and learning specialist. I was impressed with her approach to advocating for accessibility and inclusion; I am sure she makes a huge impact. She does “talk about tech” but doesn’t get into the nitty-gritty of it. Not everyone can be good at everything. I introduced her to some of my favorite AI-powered tools:
- Glean for smart note-taking
- Goblin.Tools for breaking down big tasks into manageable steps
- ChatGPT and Zoom’s AI features for summarizing content
She was unaware of some of these resources and may refer clients to me since she prefers not to focus on tech during her sessions. I’m thrilled to offer virtual brainstorming sessions to set up features that can make a dramatic difference for those she counsels.
In the afternoon, I spoke with a woman whose sister has suffered multiple brain injuries and can no longer read, write, or do math. The family felt these challenges hindered her independence. I shared that all phones, tablets, and computers can read text aloud and convert speech to text—for free! They had no idea. The key is configuring the tech to be user-friendly and providing step-by-step instructions. I also showed them how to use smartphones and Google Lens to read words aloud in the environment. I heard a glimmer of hope in her voice.
Last night, during a professional development Zoom meeting, unmuted participants kept interrupting the speaker. I privately messaged the host and offered to help her set up future meetings so attendees are automatically muted upon entry.
These experiences reminded me how a few nuggets of information can make a significant difference. But how do you know what you don’t know? Sure, you can ask ChatGPT or “Google it”, but finding the right solution involves matching a person’s needs with the task, considering their environment, configuring the tech, and providing ongoing support.
That’s why I’m excited to introduce the brand-new Tech Life Inner Circle Membership—a space designed to help you explore and learn about tech solutions.
I’m gathering a fantastic team of experts to help me run the membership.
What We Offer:
- Engaging Tech Challenges once or twice a month
- Four “Office Hour” sessions each month to brainstorm solutions to your tech challenges
- Access to a library of the TheyMayNotKnow webinar recordings from the past few years.
Who Can Benefit?
- Anyone wanting to improve their tech skills but unsure where to start. There are amazing free online classes and resources you might not know about. I’ll help you find your best next step!
- Clinicians, teachers, or therapists needing tech advice for clients or students. Join our office hours, share your challenges, and I’ll point you in the right direction.
- Those supporting aging adults or volunteering with seniors. Whether it’s learning to use captions with hearing aids, streaming audio directly, or finding easier ways to video call or exercise the brain, let’s discuss options!
- Tutors or parents wanting to learn more about Google apps to support a child or student. If Chrome extensions, shared Google Docs, or voice typing are mysteries to you, I’m here to help.
Registration opens next week to become a founding member of the Tech Life Inner Circle. I’ve priced it so it’s an offer you can’t refuse!
Those on the list will have the first dibs on joining. I have a few limited-quantity offers.
Are you already on the waiting list? If you are nodding your head- great!! No need to do anything until next week.