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: April 5, 2019
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If you find something that is outdated, or something that we should add to the list, please contact John Brandt at jbrandt@mainecite.org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

• * Free Assistive Technology Software for Speaking, Typing, and Environmental Control – tecla.
• * Understood – Tech Finder tool – expert-approved apps and games for children with learning and attention issues.
• * 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 2018 – 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
• Resources for iPad Apps for Children with Special Needs (PDF) – Oklahoma AbleTech
• The Path to Independence: Mobile Apps to Support Transition-Age Youth (PDF) – Pacer Center.
• Make Some Music with Assistive Technology! – ND Assistive Technology.
• 7 Must Have Apps for Students with Learning Disabilities – The Tech Advocate.
• 8 New Apps I Recommend for Kids With Learning and Attention Issues – Jamie Martin on Understood.
• (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)
• 100+ Best Autism and Special Needs Apps for Learning Disabled Students – A Day in Our Shoes
• 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
• 2017 Best Apps for Seniors – Senior Homes
• 10 Helpful Apps for Senior Citizens – LifeHack
• Best Mobile Apps for Those Recovering from a TBI – Trymunity
• 34 Assistive Technology Apps From Edshelf – Teachthoughts
• 5 AT Apps for Students with Special Needs – The Tech Edvocate
• Assistive Technology for Students with Dyslexia—22 Apps and Resources – Reading Horizons
• The top dictation apps – Disability Horizons
• 7 Apps to Help Calm Individuals with Autism, Anxiety, Other Special Needs – Easterseals Crossroads
• PDF Apps and Extensions – list for scanning of PDFs – from Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles, ATP
• ASD App Wheel (PDF) – Apps for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Three Text to Speech Apps – inData Project.
• Five top apps for people with limited mobility – Assistive Technology Blog.
• 8 New Apps for Tweens and Teens With Learning and Attention Issues – Understood.
• Apps That Help Students with Low Vision in the Classroom – Perkins School for the Blind.
• Apps for Students with Learning Disabilities/Dyslexia – a resource from Maine CITE.
• iPad Accessibility Apps – from Carlton College.
• Apps for Kids (and Adults) with Hearing Loss – from Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
• 6 Apps Senior Care Professionals Should Ensure Every New Resident Has – Keystone Technologies
• The 39 Best Health and Fitness Apps of 2016 – Greatist
• The Best Diabetes iPhone and Android Apps of 2015 – Healthline Media
• Executive Functioning App Matrix – provides by Diana Petschauer, M.Ed, ATP and Stacy Driscoll, M.Ed, ATP of Assistive Technology for Education
• Go back to school with these apps by AssistiveWare! – from Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, Inc.
• 5 Apple Watch Apps for Visually Impaired – from Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, Inc.
• Brain Injury and Assistive Technology: 10 Devices for Memory Loss – IPAT.
• Best Mobile Apps for Sensory Impairments – AT Blog.
• Best Apps for Kids – special education.
• Complete guide to educational and special needs apps – from One Place for Special Needs.
• AT in NH – Apps and other AT Resources
• Miami University – Favorite iOS Apps for educators.
• CommonSense Media – reviews of apps for kids.
• Eric Sailor’s Speech & Language Pathology Apps resource website (revised).
• Moms with Apps.
• Apps for Children with Special Needs (a4cwsp) – sadly, this one is gone.
• Apps for Blind and Visually Impaired from AppAdvice.

Reviews and Articles about Apps

• * 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
• June 2018 Reading Apps Accessibility Support Review – Inclusive Publishing
• Assistive Technology Apps: A Guide to Educational Apps for Students with Special Needs – Summit DD Board.
• Early Childhood and Assistive Tech Apps to Share During NAEYC’s “Week of The Young Child”
• There’s an app for that: how assistive tech changes lives of people with autism.
• 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…
• Assistive Technology Solutions for Students and Adults with Dyslexia – Jamie Martin.
• Bridging Apps website – Easter Seals of Greater Houston – lots of information plus lists.
• Kathy Schrock’s iPads for Teaching.
• iPads and tablets in the classroom – resource from the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
• Know Your Apps – website which provides reviews of apps for all devices.
• 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.

Revised: 3/25/2019 jeb