App Details

Reviewed by: Eric Jerman, COMS
Price: $3.99
Where to Buy: Find Answers:YesNo HD at the iTunes Store
Developer: Simplified Touch
Devices: Compatible with iPad
Operating System: Requires iOS 3.2 or later; updated for iOS5
Categories: Communication, Education

Description of Answers Yes/No HD

In a nutshell: Answers:YesNo HD turns your iPad into a switch to make a choice between either "this" or "that" questions, such as "yes/no" questions, and much more! Select the app icon and the screen has a black background and two square-shaped boxes juxtaposed side by side. The boxes are customized to your needs and offer the viewer a choice, such as "Yes" and "No;" or "More" and "All Done;" or "Mama" and "Dada" etc. You can also record the messages yourself. For example, select "More" and hear the voice of the person who recorded this customized message (you or someone you know) say "more."

In detail: Answers:YesNo HD improves upon an app that preceded it, named Answers:YesNo, and empowers you to customize switch communication options for your child or student. This versatility expands the utility of the app far beyond switches available prior to the iPad, and does so at a very affordable price!

Each box can be customized with your own text, your own audio, and your own photos or images, such as Mayer-Johnson communication symbols. You can also customize the background color of each box behind the identifying text/image or photo.

To make full use of the customizability of this app it is advantageous to have your iPad loaded with photographs and scanned images, such as Mayer-Johnson symbol images that have meaning for your child or that will likely be motivating to them. For example, I have loaded onto my iPad photos of our family and friends as well as Mayer-Johnson symbol images that my son is familiar with or has already learned. Answers:YesNo HD, as well as many other apps, lets you customize the way the app will appear for the user by easily accessing your personal photos, favorite images, and even your own voice.

Answers:YesNo HD creates categories to help you organize your choice boxes into three categories: yes/no & options; custom text pages; and custom picture pages. For the first category, "yes/no & options", the app comes pre-loaded with voices for you to access to read the words "yes" and "no". These voices include: a man, a woman, a "cartoon," a boy, and a girl. These generic voices may be more attractive to some children than having the voice customized.

Of course, many children using this kind of communication app will be motivated to have their switch options narrated by family and friends. The "custom text pages" category allows you to prepare and save six sets of choice boxes for future use. The "custom picture pages" category allows you to prepare six sets of choice boxes in each one of four possible "lesson plans." In other words, this category allows you to prepare and save up to twenty-four sets of choice boxes customized for your intended user(s).

Why it's good for visually impaired children

You can choose how to customize the appearance and even the sound of each of the choice boxes for your child. Users with Cortical Visual Impairment may appreciate choice boxes that are yellow and red, while others may be color blind to red and may appreciate access to other color options. The versatility offered by the options to customize the appearance and sound of the choice boxes makes this app attractive to parents and teachers of children with visual impairments.

Fine Motor Skills

Answers:YesNo HD requires that the user be able to single-tap the screen with a finger or stylus.

Accessibility Notes

As already noted above, this app allows for a wide range of customization of look and sound of the choice options.