The iPad is a great tool to use with students who are visually impaired and there are more and more apps that are creating more accessibility. The following apps assist with communication.
Voice Messenger
Free. Hey Tell is a cross-platform voice messenger that allows you to instantly talk with friends and family. No account needed.
Free. Roger is a walkie-talkie style app that makes it simple to keep in touch with people no matter where they are. Tap to talk for an unlimited amount of time and tap to listen. The app supports both VoiceOver and Talkback. Users can sign in with their phone number and email.
Free. The TalkBox Voice Messenger app is a voice messenger on mobile that allows users to exchange, share and publish their voice messages. It is similar to a global walkie talkie!
Using the iPad
$2.99. The Ballyland Magic App by Sonokids is an educational and fun iPad game specifically designed for children who are blind or have low vision to learn and practice a number of touch gestures for VoiceOver, Apple's built-in screen reader.
$2.99. TheBallyland Rotor by Sonokids is an educational iPad game designed to teach children the VoiceOver rotor concept and gestures through a fun game, in which Ballicopter, the little red helicopter from Ballyland, goes on an adventure. You set the rotor to change his story. It comes with a free file for download to 3D print.
$4.99. The VO Lab App by Sonokids is a great app to learn the basics of VoiceOver through educational iPad games designed specifically for people who are blind or visually impaired.
$1.99. The Big Calculator Low Vision App by N Thorn is a large print calculator with 4 high contrast color modes for good clarity in day or night lighting.
$2.99. The Big Keys Low Vision Keyboard App by N Thorn is a keyboard specifically for persons who are visually impaired by featuring large print with high contrast.
$1.99. The Big List App by N Thorn is a note taking or list making app specifically designed for persons who are visually impaired.
Communication Apps
$4.99 The Attainment Switch app turns your iPad into a wireless switch for PC, iMac or a laptop!
Free. The Choice Board Creator app by Techno Chipmunk is a great app for creating customized choice boards. The picture size and number of pictures displayed can be adapted and customized sounds can be included.
$4.99 The My Pictures Talk app allows the user to make an electronic “choice book.”
$18.99. The Pictello app allows the user to customize this digital photo album with your photographs and add your voice to tell the story behind the photos.
$189.99 The Proloquo To Go app allows users to turn their iOS device into a communication system. Developers call it “AAC in your pocket.” Similar to the Dynavox communication system.
Free. SoundingBoard app transforms your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad into a tool for communication. In just minutes, you can create custom boards using AbleNet symbols or your own words. SoundingBoard includes switch access and is compatible with the AbleNet Blue2 Switch.
$14.99 The Tap Speak Button app features a huge red circle that acts like a jellybean button switch with multiple messages. Customize dozens of messages on one switch
$29.99. The Tap Speak Sequence app uses Dynavox Mayer-Johnson symbols to tell a graphic story with your voice message.
$0.99. The Vola Friends HD app is useful for teaching emotions to kids via short video clips with depictions of emotions on the faces of actors.
$1.99. The Word Totz app offers general communication flash cards but also has section called “My Cards” that allows you to post your own images coupled with your own voice!
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development
Demonstrates awareness of objects
Demonstrate understanding of object permanence
Plays with toys – takes adv. of characteristics
Open container to locate noisemaker
Demonstrate interest in toys
Object identification
Match/Classify objects by shapes
Match/Classify objects by size
Time awareness and concepts
Spatial awareness
Quantity Concepts
Alternative Communication
Body responses & gestures for communication
Choice Board (object/tactile/picture)
Communication system (calendar boxes)
Sign language/tactile sign (deafblind)
Emergent Literacy
Explore pictures/objects from story
Explore & turn pages
Proper care of books
Awareness of environmental print/braille
Pretend to read/write print/braille
Access Print
Use low vision tools to access near print
Use low vision tools to access distance print
Use technology to access digital print
Use screen sharing to access print at distance
Access variety of print formats
Identify print size needed
Pre-Braille
Tactile discrimination of symbols
Identify spatial position of dots in braille cell
Identify the dot number in a braille cell
Track a line of dots from left to right
Track a row of dots
Identify beginning/end/breaks on a braille line
Tactually explore a braille page
Track braille sentences when read aloud by adult
Orients braille book correctly
Turn pages in a braille book one at a time
Locates the first braille line on a page
Locate the page number in a braille book
Use two hands to track braille
Use pointer finger as lead finger
Use pinky finger to detect the end of a line
Use light touch
Use two hands separately to track and return
Locate name in braille
Identify same/different braille shape
Identify the braille alphabet
Identify the literary braille numerals 0-10
Braille Code
Read/write the alphabet
Read/write whole-word alphabet contractions
Read/write whole and part word contractions
Read/write short form words
Read/write lower signs
Read/write part word signs
Read/write whole word signs
Read/write initial letter signs
Read/write final letter signs
Read and produce literary numbers
Read and produce braille indicators
Read and produce symbols and punctuation
Braille Reading Fluency
Read back personal writing and edit
Access a variety test & worksheet formats
Apply rules for contractions, punctuation, comp.
Use alternate braille codes (ex. Language, music, etc)
Braille Formatting
Locate beginnings of paragraphs
Writes paragraphs, indenting two spaces
Read/write lists
Locates and read transcriber’s notes, picture captions
Locates headings/subheadings in a text
Reads/write columned materials and tables
Read/write format for poetry and plays
Write outlines in correct (literary/textbook) format
Locate preliminary pages, special symbols page
Use table of contents, glossary and index
Locate/read words and definitions in dictionary
Use a multi-volume textbook
Braillewriter
Locate/name parts on a braillewriter
Make random braille dots
Insert/remove paper from braillewriter
Operate line advance/carriage return
Operate backspace
Use correct fingers on keys
Produce uniform dots using correct finger strength
Erase errors with a braille eraser
Use spacebar appropriately
Set margin stops on braille writer
Change margin for various format needs (ex. column)
Spatially arrange math problems
Proofread writing and make corrections
Slate & Stylus
Identify the dot numbers in cell on a slate
Load paper in the slate
Create legible, uniform dots
Skip space on a slate
Create letters, words, and numbers
Use slate & stylus to complete tasks
Proofread writing and make corrections
Tactile Graphics
Explore Tactile graphics
Locate/identify title, key and symbol
Identify meaning of various textures on globe/map
Interpret graphical information (e.g. graphs & charts)
nemeth code
Read/write numerals in Nemeth Code
Read/write signs of operation (+, -, x, /)
Read/write linear mathematical equations
Read/write horizontal mathematical equations
Read/write symbols of comparison (<,>, =)
Read/write symbols money using signs: $, ¢, .)
Read/write fractions
Read/write mixed numerals
Read/write temperatures using sign for degrees
Read/write percent
Read/write grouping symbols ( , ) , [ , ] , { , }
Read/write Nemeth punctuation (, -, : )
Read/write modifier signs for lines, arrows, rays, bars
Read/write shape indicator (circle, square, etc.)
Read/write signs/format for parallel & perpendicular
Read/write signs for angles
Read/write adv. symbols of comparison (i.e. ≠, = )
Read/write square roots
Read/write subscripts/superscripts
Read/write algebraic expressions
Read/write chemical equations
Read/write braille clock/watch
Write time
Measure to the nearest centimeter, ½”
Construct/draw measure geometric figures & label
Use braille/tactual tools to measure
Display data on tactual graph
Interpret data in various tables and graphs
Read/write standard/metric measurements
Read/write advanced Nemeth code symbols
Apply rules to complete grade level problems
Access Classes
Use of charts, graphs, maps
Measurement tools
Handwriting (legibility)
Develop a consistent signature
Use signature writing guide
Use of needed accommodations
Interpretation of Tactile graphics
Abacus
Identify all parts of the abacus
Demonstrate understanding of set, clear and count
Set numbers in the ones column
Set numbers in the tens column
Set and read whole numbers according to place value