iPad Apps and Accessibility

Reviews and news about iPads and apps for children with special needs. Learn how to make the most of the assistive technology options built in to your iPad!

blitab braille tablet device sitting upright on table near window

iPad Apps and Accessibility

BLITAB Braille Tablet

First-ever braille tablet developed by start-up company BLITLAB Technology. This will revolutionize access to braille!

Woman sits on stool smiling. Text reads

iPad Apps and Accessibility

How to See a Smile Even Without Sight

New app lets users know when someone is smiling at them!

Crazy Gears app

iPad Apps and Accessibility

Crazy Gears app with CVI settings

This app that teaches cause and effect and basic math concepts also has a built in "cortical visual impairment option" that allows you to change the color scheme.

Braille and Literacy, iPad Apps and Accessibility

iBrailler Notes App Review

iBrailler Notes is a notetaker app for the iPad that features a standard Brailler keyboard, user calibration and multiple export options.

Tiggly Interactive Toys & Application Review

iPad Apps and Accessibility

Tiggly Interactive Toys & Apps Review

Tiggly has developed two sets of multiple award-winning tactile toys, Tiggly Shapes and Tiggly Counts, to interact with their six free iPad apps to enrich the learning experience through hands-on...

Stay Still, Squeaky!

iPad Apps and Accessibility

Stay Still, Squeaky! iBook Review

"Stay Still, Squeaky!" is a wonderful resource for learning the basics of using a touch screen device and a variety of early learning skills, promoting independence and empowerment for users...

collage of eyes

iPad Apps and Accessibility, Visual Impairment

Be My Eyes App: Lend Your Eyes to the Blind

This iPhone app allows visually impaired users to connect with sighted users in real time in order to receive assistance with simple tasks.

smartphone held over menu shows text being read

iPad Apps and Accessibility, Visual Impairment

Breakthrough App Reads Print for the Blind

This cool new app lets you use your smartphone to translate printed material into spoken words, letting the user "read" virtually anything. The app is available on iTunes and was...

Osmo

iPad Apps and Accessibility

Osmo: A Fun, Tactile & Engaging Way to Use Your iPad

The Osmo Game System uses special adaptations to make the iPad more interactive, allowing users to manipulate real tangible objects while using their iPad. It promotes social skills, creative thinking...

AFB's two new apps

iPad Apps and Accessibility

Free Accessible Apps from AFB for Blind Users

Two free apps for visually impaired mobile phone users: CareerConnect for iOS and AccessNote for iOS and Android. Offered by American Foundation for the Blind.

child speaking with an iPhone

Communication, iPad Apps and Accessibility

Talkitt® Makes Unintelligible Speech Understandable

Talkitt translates unintelligible speech from any language into understandable speech through smart phones, tablets or computers. Works for people with speech disorders or diseases or syndromes that affect speech.

Exploring Braille App

Braille and Literacy, iPad Apps and Accessibility

Exploring Braille App Review

Exploring Braille with Madilyn and Ruff is an iPad app that teaches the braille alphabet while also introducing your child to the iPad, VoiceOver and a refreshable braille display.

Tap Tap See App

iPad Apps and Accessibility

TapTapSee App Review

TapTapSee is an amazing app that can identify just about anything in a photo. Use your iPad or iPhone's camera to take a photo and TapTapSee will speak (using VoiceOver)...

iPad Apps and Accessibility, Visual Impairment

Our Favorite Apps for Children Who are Visually Impaired

A collection of 15 (mostly free!) apps perfect for kids who are blind or visually impaired. Listed in categories ranging from visual stimulation to communication and fine motor needs.

EDA Play App

iPad Apps and Accessibility

EDA Play App Review

EDA Play is an app designed to enhance your child's visual and fine motor skills through 4 levels of play. The best part about this app is that it is...

Bebot

iPad Apps and Accessibility, Music Play

Bebot Music App Review

Bebot is a simple sound cause and effect app that makes funny synth robot sounds. Touch the screen and make the robot sing!

little girl using an iPad

iPad Apps and Accessibility

iPad Curriculum for Children with Visual Impairments

Junior Blind of America's Infant & Early Childhood Program has been using iPads as part of its curriculum in order to study how children with CVI or low vision respond...

My Talking Picture Board screenshot

iPad Apps and Accessibility

My Talking Picture Board App Review

My Talking Picture Board app, from Little Bear Sees, helps children with CVI learn how to locate and recognize two dimensional images.

Sensory Sound Box

iPad Apps and Accessibility

Sensory Sound Box App Review

This is one of our favorite apps! Run your finger along the screen and listen to the tune change from high to low as a bright colorful explosion flows from...

Cause and Effect Sensory Light Box

iPad Apps and Accessibility

Sensory Light Box App Review

Sensory Light Box 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. The...

ViA App Review

iPad Apps and Accessibility

ViA App Review

Braille Institute's ViA app helps visually impaired users find apps that have been pre-approved and reviewed by other blind users.

Bloom app

iPad Apps and Accessibility, Music Play

Bloom Music App Review

Eric Jerman reviews the generative music iPad app, Bloom. Bloom allows children to create gentle, soft music patterns and bubbles of color with just the tap of a finger. The...

Five Sharks Swimming app

iPad Apps and Accessibility

Smarty Pants & Five Sharks App Reviews

Inclusive Technology, a company that creates software for children with special needs, has also created a set of fun and accessible iPad apps. We review the two that are best...

Talking Carl App

iPad Apps and Accessibility

Talking Carl App Review

Talking Carl repeats any word, phrase or sound he hears in a funny high pitch voice. Carl can get your kids laughing and learning how to have a conversation when...