Are you wondering how iPads can be used with your students? Whether you are working with young children, learners with multiple disabilities, or braille students, there are resources about apps and accessibility features that can help on the Path to Literacy!

What kind of apps work best for children with visual impairments?

 

Learn about accessibility features!

Accessibility Features for the iPad for Users Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

This overview of the accessibility features on the Apple iPad for users who are blind or visually impaired includes information on the VoiceOver screen reader and Zoom, including a description of the features, as well as some hints on how to get started with them.

 Use the iPad as an assessment tool...

iPad, iPod, iPhone – iTechnology and apps that have been used successfully with individuals with deafblindness or with visual impairments and additional disabilities

Dr. Linda Mamer, British Columbia Provincial Deafblind Consultant, shares a how-to paper, with sample observational sheets, sample observational sheets that have been filled in, and a list of current apps. The iPad is viewed as an observational / assessment tool to gather information, visually / auditorially / tactually, to be able to design individualized communication systems based on the child's responses.

Watch this webinar about iPads for students with CVI and other types of visual impairments

Appsolutely Engaging and Educational: Introduction to iPad Apps for Kids with Special Needs

Eric Jerman, M.Ed., COMS is the father of a three-year-old boy who has Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and global developmental delays.  In this webinar Eric shares strategies, tips and techniques to begin using an iPad with students who are visually impaired with additional disabilities.

 Find out how other TVIs use the iPad

iPad Resources from two TVIs

Marsha Bork and Faye Gonzalez from the Madison School District in Phoenix, Arizona share helpful information about the accessibility  features of the iPad.

Explore some of the latest research on iPad apps for children with visual impairments

iStimulation: Research on iPad Apps for Children with Visual Impairments

This presentation by Laura Campaña, Director of Infant & Early Childhood Program at Junior Blind of America introduces multiple applications on the iPad iOS platform that have been tested on children with visual impairment.  It includes cumulative data collected on iPad use compared to APH Lightbox use with children with visual impairment during a study done by the Junior Blind.  The purpose of the study was to investigate the use of the Apple iPad as a means to strengthen or initiate visual engagement, parental interaction, communication, visual attentiveness, reaching and/or activation among children with visual impairments and/or multiple disabilities.

 

---