By: Carmen Willings teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated September 1, 2018
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 note taking. The apps that you will find here are those that I have used myself, or have seen featured in conferences. Within these pages are a listing of just some of the apps that are either great for use with students with visual impairments OR have been developed specifically for persons who are blind or have low vision.
Text to Speech Apps
$.99 Audio Memos - The Voice Recorder is a professionally made audio recorder.
Free Dictate your message, and Dragon types it out on the screen with Dragon Anywhere. Your options for delivery of this message include text message, email, copy-and-paste, facebook, and twitter.
Free. Evernote is an easy to use app that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use. It lets you take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, and record voice reminders.
$99.99. KNFB Reader converts printed text into high quality speech to provide accurate, fast, and efficient access to documents. Picture accuracy is faciliated by a Field of View Report, Automatic Page Detection, and Tilt Control. It will determine the words and read them aloud in high quality text-to-speech and will also highlight text.
Free. iTalk Recorder is a full-featured recording app with a streamlined and intuitive user interface. Press the big red button to record; press it again to stop. You can append to existing recordings, choose from three levels of recording quality and manage your recordings, all with just a fingertip.
$0.99. The List Recorder app combines making lists with an audio recorder. The app allows you to jot down and organize information as audio, text or both. It is designed to integrate with VoiceOver and braille displays.
$1.99 Speak It! is a text to Speech designed to work with multitasking features.
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. 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!
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