iPad, iPod Touch and AppsMaking Sense of the iWorld for Individuals with Special Needs

Debbie Drennan, MSW

Parents Helping Parents & iTECH Services Trainings Techsplorations

T.I.P program (Early Start ages 0-3) Consultations AAC/Communication expertise Information and referral Toy-switch surgeon Member, AT Network of California

www.php.com (855)727-5775 toll free

Overview of Presentation

Participants will; Learn about the built in features of

iDevices Learn how to manage the Apps in iTunes Find out about a variety of apps in different

areas, and find out where to learn more Have a chance to share knowledge!

Before We Begin…

Apps list not exhaustive-just a sample of what is available

iDevices and Apps for Assistive Technology and/or AAC (Communication) should be considered in conjunction with an evaluation by a qualified specialist as part of a comprehensive plan

Before the Device…

What's the task?  What is the student/clients's level of performance at this

time? What is the student/clients's level of participation at this

time? What are the features the student/client needs?  How does the iPad AND THE APP you are considering

match those tasks and features?  What data do you have that the student/client can use

the iPad for those tasks? What's the expected benefit to the student/client?

Why use iDevices?

Ease of Interface Socially Acceptable- “cool” One device can be used for a variety of

goals; communication, reading, writing, etc Lightweight and Portable Economical, especially in comparison to

dedicated AAC devices

The Downside.. Potential for Theft Easy to Lose Management of Apps requires time for all

the updates Potentially need time to set up each

device for each user Easy for device to become an

entertainment tool

Device Details

iPod Touch: Wi-Fi only

8GB to 64GB $229-$3994 hours to charge, 7-14 hours playtime per charge

2 cameras, front and back

iPad2: Wi-Fi only:16-64GB,

$499-$699 Wi-Fi and 3G:16-64GB,

$629-$8293-5 hours to charge, around 10 hour battery life

2 cameras, front and back

Features of Operating System

Voice Over Zoom Restrictions Auto-Correction, Auto-Capitalization International Keyboards Font Size White on Black

Where Do I Find all these?Settings-General Under Accessibility:

Voice Over: Three finger scroll, Braille Bluetooth hook-up available, Web and Language Adjustments

Zoom: Double-Tap with three fingers to zoom, use three fingers to move around screen when on

Large Text- goes up to 56 point text in built in apps White on Black Speak Auto-text- Speaks auto-corrections and

capitalizations out loud Restrictions-Sets 4 digit code to restrict access

to certain apps

Apps that are Included

Calendar with Alerts (if desired)

Contacts Photos (picture

library) Camera Voice Memo Notes Clock

iTunes iPod (Music library) Safari App Store Game Center You Tube Maps Mail Face Time (iPad2 and

iPod Touch)

App and Device ManagementEducation

Can use a Cart for updating, loading apps en masse (PowerSync Cart, http://apple.bretford.com/products/ )

App licensing for education available (http://www.apple.com/itunes/education/ )

Do NOT need to have credit card “on file” in iTunes to have account

Personal Must have your iTunes

account on device to update or add apps

Can have multiple accounts on one device, but can only sync to one computer, or lose the apps from the other account

Up to 5 devices for personal use per app

Recommend: Once a week updating for devices/apps!

And Now, Apps!

Areas covered VisionOrganizationReading supportWriting support

Vision Apps

LookTel Money Reader (EyeNote-free app by government, not as good)

Zoom Reader Sendero LookAround GPS VizWiz

More Apps can be found at http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/iphone-ipad-apps-for-magnification-and-vision-support

LookTel Money Reader- $1.99

Point camera at US bills, it will orally tell you what the bill is.

ZoomReader- $19.99

Using camera, magnifies up to 4x, reads text out loud, can vary speed of output, pitch, can highlight, etc

Sendero LookAround GPS- $4.99

Using GPS and vibration features of device, it tells you where you are, and nearest points of interest (defaults to restaurants). Works best outside.

VizWiz- free

Allows user to use camera to take a picture/ask a question, then choose to ask Web Workers, or the IQ Engine (image identifier), Email someone or Twitter feed to get the answer

Organization Apps

Evernote Awesome Note mSecure

Additional Apps can be found at http://www.ocali.org/up_archive_doc/Apps_Designed_with_Disability_in_Mind.pdf under Organization/Study Skills

Evernote- free

Multi-platform cloud sharing tool. Can take notes in multiple ways, save them to the cloud account, then share them or pull them down on almost any device

Awesome Note- $3.99/ $4.99

Can create own folders to save notes, ideas, etc. Syncs with Google Docs, can set alarms for reminders. Calendar integrated into it.

mSecure -$4.99

Remember one password, and store all the other passwords and important information in it

Reading Support

iBooks with Voice Over enabled Read2Go RFB&D Speak It!

For More apps, go to http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/apps-for-literacy-support

Read2Go- not available yet, $19.99

For Bookshare members, will be able to read and store Bookshare books on the iDevices! Targeted to come out soon. www.bookshare.org

RFB&D Audio- $19.99

For Learning Ally members, allows their books to be played on idevices- New name and website for RFB&D- http://www.learningally.org

Speak It! - $1.99

Copy text into app from emails, web, etc, and have it read with high quality voices. Highlights as it reads.

Writing Apps

Typ-O HD AudioNote High School Special MAX (8in1) by Essay

Writing Wizard Popplet

See Literacy list (previous section) for more apps

Typ-O HD (iPad only)- $14.99

Word Prediction, also reads text out loud as you write. Four dictionary sizes available, Four voices available.

AudioNote- $4.99

Works like the LiveScribe- can type or write text while recording, then play back notes, with audio tagged to notes.

High School Special MAX -$17.99 Writing Prompt application, includes

1. Four Independent Writing Pages - Notes, Outline, Bibliography, and Essay.  2.  Assignment Prompt Page with Due Date. 3.  Automatic one button compilation of your Essay and Bibliography, and emailing to address of your choice. 4.  Capability to email more than one writing page in the same email. 5.  One Button Back Up Capability

Popplet! -$4.99

Easy to use mind-mapping tool. Allows combination of text, drawings and photos.

Peripherals

Cases Stands and Mounts Bluetooth Switches and Keyboards Stylus/Pointers/Keyguards Tornado Switch Interface (available

summer 2011) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5XcBBy0I9g

Cases Things to ask:

Portability Durability Mounting needs

Otterbox $89.95 (iPad 2) to $29.95 (iPod touch) http://www.otterbox.com

RJ Cooper iPad Ultimate Carry Case $99 www.rjcooper.com

AMDI iPad iAdapter-$198 (version 1 only) http://www.amdi.net/store/iadapter.html

Button Cover- BubCap Home Button Cover-$5 for 4 bubcap.com

Stands and Mounts

RAM Mounts- $36-$48 depending on type http://www.ram-mount.com/Products/WheelchairMounts/tabid/2562/Default.aspx

CJT Mounting- cjtmounting.com RJ Cooper stands and mounts

www.rjcooper.com

MountMe! Freedom II - http://www.mount-me.com/

Bluetooth Switches and Keyboards Switches:

Bluetooth Switch Interface- $99, Super-Switch $149 www.rjcooper.com

Blue2-Pedal switches- $149 www.ablenetinc.com

Keyboards:Many available- some built into cases. Best

option, do a google search with needed features

Stylus/Pointers/Keyguards

Stylus- many available- Pogo, Targus, etc. or, make your own- http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/collins-lab-diy-ipad-stylus.html

Make a stylus into a head/hand pointer- http://www.rjcooper.com/tablet-pointer/index.html

Keyguards- http://www.laseredpics.biz/servlet/the-Adaptive-Technologies-Supplies/Categories

More Information, Please!

http://a4cwsn.com/ Apps for Children with Special Needs- app videos

http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/library/faqs Spectronics has lists of apps for certain areas, ie, communication, reading, etc

www.ocali.org Has lists of apps with descriptions in certain areas in Document Archive

http://autismepicenter.com/TEST/autism-apps.shtml Reviews of apps

http://iphoneapplicationlist.com/apps/ Unofficial list of apps for iphone/ipad broken down into categories

Other Useful Tools

Freeappalert.com Lists apps that are free for a short time-can sign up for email alerts

http://momswithapps.com Group of family friendly app developers who blog about apps, and offer Free App Fridays

Your Turn!

Highlight YOUR favorite apps, YOUR experiences using the iPad/IPod touch with your child/student/client, and tips you have to help others!