Apps for children who are visually impaired.

WonderBaby.org has listed what they consider to be their favorite iPads apps for children who are disabled or visually impaired in conjunction with 'Paths to Literacy'. The divide the list into categories. Some have a charge, some are free.
Here are the categories with some of the apps.
Vision:

"Tap & See Zoo": The developer of this app calls it "the first app for iPad and iPhone created specifically for children with cortical visual impairment." Find the app on iTunes.
"My Talking Picture Board": This app helps children with CVI learn how to locate and recognize two dimensional images. Use your own images of people or favorite objects! Find the app on iTunes.

"iLove Fireworks": This app makes big sounds and big visual displays with a simple tap of the finger. It’s also great for teaching cause and effect as well as increasing visual attention. Find the app on iTunes.
"Art of Glow": Simple drawing app with very responsive screen. Helps to build visual attention and cause and effect (no audio). Find the app on iTunes.
Motor/Cause & Effect:

"Baby Finger HD": The tap of a finger causes movements and sounds on the screen. Very easy to use and geared toward younger children. Find the app on iTunes.
"Cause & Effect Sensory Light Box": This is a really well made cause-and-effect app that creates sounds and lights when your finger is on the screen, then stops when you remove your finger. Perfect for children with low vision or CVI. Find the app on iTunes.
Communication:
"Talking Tom Cat": This animated cat repeats words and sounds in a funny voice. Encourages vocalization and interaction with the iPad. Find the app on iTunes.
"Answers Yes No": A simple yet extremely versatile app that turns your iPad into a communication switch that allows for an array of customizations. Find the app on iTunes.
Relaxation:
"Pocket Pond": Listen to birds chirp and frogs croak in a peaceful pond. Touch the screen to make the water splash or just watch the koi swim by. Find the app on iTunes.
Stories:

"Tickle Finger in the Jungle": In this highly interactive story, the reader has to help Tiny Tinga the monkey get home by "tickling" various predators along the way. Find the app on iTunes.
"Dr. Seuss's ABC": All the Dr Seuss story apps from Oceanhouse Media are very well done. The stories are interactive, include sound effects and add a whole new layer to classic Seuss tales. Find the app on iTunes.
Check for 'i' accessibilty features here.

More Resources for Caregivers

Through Caregiver Junction, a circle I belong to with Google +, there was a post about '6 creative resources for caregivers'

which was written by a certified nursing assistant, Lauren Davenport. She lists tools and resources that will help with caring for seniors and the disabled. From 101 Mobility Rotations:

** Online communication: there is online forums and support groups where you can share stories, information, tips, whatever.
** Health tracking systems: Lauren lists Monacaresa web based application that helps with the planning, coordinating, and managing the care of your loved one. I also had written a post regarding apps available. Also check iTunes.
** Assistive devices: there are grab bars, stair lifts, wheelchair ramps, automatic door openers, etc that can help someone with mobility issues move around and stay in their own home.
** Tablet/iPad: a great way to stay connected and keep up their cognitive development. User friendly it allows the 'swiping' control, allows for adjustment of screen brightness. The person can keep in touch with family and friends, reading a book, playing games, listening to music, look at pictures.
** Skype: this can help visually and audibly connect with friends and family who may be far away. They can talk and see the grandkids and tell stories. It may help with the loneliness.
** AARP Caregiving Resource Center: this covers all the basics for families and caregivers; information on insurance, healthcare, and even grief counseling.

(picture from 101 Mobility)

Caregiver Apps.

A Place for Mom asked a caregiver writer, Ann Napoletan, to review some apps for caregivers that might help families. Ann had taken care of her late mom who had Alzheimer's. Just a little information before I list the 7 Best and Worst Apps: To support our fast paced lives, Americans are downloading mobile apps to help us track everything from our personal spending and productivity to our diet, exercise and mood. More than 44 million health-related apps were downloaded in 2012, so it should come as no surprise that apps for caregivers are a fast growing market. More than 50 million Americans care for an aging or disabled loved one a year according to a study by National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare.

I will list the apps with the devices they are available for. Just click on this link to get the reviews. There are some costs in some of these but some are free. Read them carefully to see if any may help with your caregiving issues. I can also see these apps being very useful some someone taking care of a special needs child who may have multiple issues - may even be a great way to share information with a school nurse.

BALANCE: FOR ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVERS -- iPhone & iPad: yes; Android & Webapp: no.
CAREGIVERS TOUCH -- iPhone & Webapp: yes; iPad & Android: no.
CAREZONE -- iPad & iPhone & Android: yes; Webapp: no.
CARING TIES -- iPhone & iPad & Android: no; Webapp: yes.
MOBICARE -- iPhone & Webapp: yes; iPad & Android: no.
RX PERSONAL CAREGIVER -- iPhone: yes; iPad & Android & Webapp: no.
UNFRAZZLE -- iPhone & iPad & Android: yes; Webapp: no.

iPad Workshop.

I attended an iPad workshop that Will's teacher had told me about. It was given by a local company, Tech Access, that evaluates and gives special needs students communication devices to use while in school and to take home during this time as well. There were only a few of us there but this seems to be a useful tool for those specializing in Speech Therapy and are teacher assistants working with special needs students (one other person was a parent).

While the instructor went over all the basics of how to set it, use it, make folders, delete icons, etc., we did touch upon some apps that are good for special needs. Going through the App Store can take time - as he said - you really have to be specific or you get thousands of results. There are free apps and those with a small fee, as well as those that can cost upwards to $200.00 (US dollars). The program we use for Willie is called 'Assistive Chat' which I think was about $35.oo US dollars. Others at the workshop were using 'Proloquo2Go' which runs about $200.00 It depends on what your child can do -- "Assistive Chat" is more for someone who can type and knows words; Prologuo has pictures that you can use along with words. One way to help with this dilemma is to go to AppShopper. This is NOT connected to Apple. There you will find a lot of apps for iPads and iPhones as well as Macs, along with their price changes (if applicable), new apps, app updates. Check it out - great site!! One drawback, even on the 'iTunes store', is that the majority of apps are for younger children, not high school. Even though he does work like a younger student, the pictures and manner of presentation is too young for him. So if you have a pre-schooler or elementary aged child -- you are good to go!!

One good one for those who like to 'see' the results of an action -- 'Songify'. Speak or breath into your Android device and the app will turn the action into a song.

Also, he mentioned a website called 'Moms with Apps'. While this site will include all sorts of apps for all varieties of skills and needs, it also invites app developers to share their programs -- see "App Friday". I checked out 'App Resources for Special Needs', went to 'Mashable article on iPads and disabilities' and not only found apps for children but a couple of them for seniors: one memory practice one that was created by someone who's mom has Alzheimer's and two for medication reminders (though one was NOT available in the US store). You can check out a previous post regarding 'Tech Items for Seniors' that had ideas from 'Senior Savvy' regarding the same.

Of course YouTube has everything!!! The instructor was talking about different types of a stylus pen for people who cannot type and have a hard time holding onto a pen - type device. Of course you can buy one but you can also make your own. Check out a variety of YouTube videos to make one. TechAccess also has instructions.

Spend some time in the 'iTunes store' and the 'AppShopper'. Check with your child's teacher and speech therapist so see what will be good. Find a workshop in your area. Time well spent!