Apps as Assistive Technology (AT)

To aid consumers and professionals who may be interested in knowing more about various mobile devices (including smart watches) and the assorted “apps” than can be used as assistive technology, we have assembled this resource.

Last updated: November 16, 2020
The links are added in reversed chronological order with the newest items designated with an asterisk *.

If you find something that is outdated, or something that we should add to the list, please contact John Brandt at jbrandt@mainecite.org

“Buyer Beware”

When purchasing any product, consumers need to do their homework and examine the quality of each purchase/download carefully. The resources here are for informational purposes and are not an endorsement of any product or device (please see our disclaimer below). Most of the “app stores” have a place where users can rate and comment about the various apps. We recommend that you read these reviews carefully. While many of the apps listed in this resource are free to download, some cost a considerable amount of money and many are sold with a no refund policy (see Getting Refunds for your iTunes Store Purchases; Apple’s iTunes Store Terms and Conditions; Google Android Market return policy)

The Resources – Lists of Apps

• * 30 Apps, Devices and Technologies for People With Vision Impairments – AAO
• * Top 5 Assistive Technology Apps for Autism – Ability Unlimited
• * 10 Best Assistive Tech Apps for Children with Autism – Daily Wireless
• Free and Low-Cost Assistive Technology Resources – Bates College.
• Language Skills Apps for Kids with Special Needs – Common Sense Education.
• 170 Free iOS Apps for Occupational Therapists – list compiled by Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids.
• COVID-19 – helpful apps and resources for people with brain injury – Neuropsychology Hub.
• Apps for Anxiety and Depression – Maine CITE.
• The Path to Independence – Mobile Apps to Support Transition Aged Youth – PDF.
• Apps for Independent – List for Maine CITE by Christine Martin OTR/L (MS-Office document).
• 5 Apps to Help Younger Kids With Self-Control – Understood.
• Accessible Mobile Reading Apps – National Library Service – Library of Congress.
• Google Android apps round-up for people who are blind or vision impaired – Technology for Everyone.
• 25 Best Apps for the Visually Impaired (2020 Edition) – Everyday Sight.
• Low Vision Accessibility Apps – iaccessibility.com.
• iPad and iPhone Apps for Low Vision – from Kellogg Eye Center.
• Apps and Extensions that help support learners with dyslexia and reading challenges – from Hillary Goldthwait- Fowles, PhD.
• Assistive Technology Empowers Disabled Students – Built-In.
• The Five Best Notetaking Tools and Apps – EasterSeals Crossroads.
• Assistive Technology for Math – Understood.
• Accessible Mobile Apps – American Federation of the Blind.
• 5 Assistive Technology Tools That Are Making a Difference – Alvernia University.
• 17 Best Assistive Learning Tools for Students with ADHD – ADDitude.
• Assistive Technology and AAC Tips, Apps and Guides – CALL Scotland.
• Free Assistive Technology Software for Speaking, Typing, and Environmental Control – tecla.
• Best Assistive Technology for Reading in the Classroom – Common Sense Education
• Apps for Independence (MS-Word) – Apps list by Christine Martin, OTR/L – from SMACT Meeting 2/1/2019.
• Top Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Apps for iPad – Lifewire
• Best reminder apps for iPhone and iPad in 2020 – iMore
• Smart Phone Apps for Communication (PDF) – Southeast ADA Center
• Social Stories & Video Modeling Apps (PDF) – Lakes Country Service Cooperative, MN
• Useful apps for hearing loss – Hearing Link
• Social Skills Apps for Kids with Special Needs – Common Sense Media
• Assistive Technology Tools for Students with Learning Disability – LD Resources Foundation
• Best Apps to Ease Your Mind – Easter Seals Crossroads
• Anti-Distraction Apps – Easter Seals Crossroads
• Make Some Music with Assistive Technology! – ND Assistive Technology.
• 7 Must Have Apps for Students with Learning Disabilities – The Tech Advocate.
• (Apps) AT for Managing Stress – AT3 Center Tips and News
• Top assistive technology and apps for people with sight loss – Disability Horizons
• Free and Low-cost Assistive Technology (PDF) – apps, extensions, programs – QIAT in Post Secondary. (See also their webinar on topic of free and low-cost AT)
• 21 Best Apps for Seniors – a Place for Mom
• 10 Best iPhone Apps for Seniors – The Senior List
• 18 Unexpectedly Innovative Apps for Seniors – Fox Hill
• 7 Apps to Help Calm Individuals with Autism, Anxiety, Other Special Needs – Easterseals Crossroads
• ASD App Wheel (PDF) – Apps for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Apps for Students with Learning Disabilities/Dyslexia – a resource from Maine CITE.
• Apps for Kids (and Adults) with Hearing Loss (google doc) – from Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
• Brain Injury and Assistive Technology: 10 Devices for Memory Loss – IPAT.
• Best Apps for Kids – special education.
• Complete guide to educational and special needs apps – from One Place for Special Needs.
• Miami University – Favorite iOS Apps for educators.
• CommonSense Media – reviews of apps for kids.
• Moms with Apps.
• Apps for Blind and Visually Impaired from AppAdvice.

Reviews and Articles about Apps

• Maine CITE – Apps for Students with Dyslexia/Learning Disabilities
• * 15 Assistive Technology Tools & Resources For Students With Disabilities – Teach Thought
• * 10 Ways I use My Phone as Assistive Technology – Veronica With Four Eyes (NOTE: All of Veronica’s blog posts are great!)
• 30+ tools for diverse learners – ISTE.
• Assistive Technology Blog.
• AT in NH – Apps and other AT Resources.
• Understood – Finding AT for students with disabilities.
• Understood – Tech Finder tool – expert-approved apps and games for children with learning and attention issues.
• Assistive Technology: Finding the Right Resources for All Students – Getting Smart.
• How to Teach Students With Dyslexia to Use Assistive Technology – Homeschooling with Dyslexia.
• How to Use Alexa (Amazon Echo) Devices in the Classroom – Cool Cat Teacher.
• Technology and Autism – Autism Speaks.
• Paths to Technology – Perkins eLearning – Educators, families, and students can share information about technology for students with visual impairments and blindness.
• These apps help defeat barriers and keep you on the road – Yomi S. Wrong – LA Times.
• March 2020 Reading Apps Accessibility Support Review – Inclusive Publishing.
• Assistive Technology Apps: A Guide to Educational Apps for Students with Special Needs – Summit DD Board.
• OT’s with Apps & Technology – The OT eTool Kit resource – review of apps and other technologies for OT’s working with children and adults.
• AppleVis – A community-powered website for blind and low-vision users of Apple’s range of Mac computers, the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV and Apple Watch. Tons of resources, lists, and reviews. Link to apps resource page…
• Bridging Apps website – Easter Seals of Greater Houston – lots of information plus lists.
• Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything.
• Applications (Apps) for Speech-Language Pathology Practice from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Disclaimer

The Maine CITE Program offers this website to help people find and get the AT they need and want. This is part of the public service mission of the University of Maine System. Maine CITE does not endorse any of the devices or applications listed on this site. It is the sole responsibility of the users of this site to check out the devices and applications listed. Maine CITE is not responsible for users’ actions or in-actions, is not involved in the transactions between users and vendors, and has no control over and does not guarantee the suitability, fitness, condition, quality, safety or legality of devices or applications listed, or the accuracy of any information posted.

BY USING THIS SERVICE, YOU ACCEPT THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND AGREE TO RELEASE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM AND ITS MAINE CITE PROGRAM FROM ANY CLAIMS, LOSSES, JUDGMENTS, COSTS, FINES, PENALTIES OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE.

Reviews. Revised, updated: 11/16/2020 jeb