Best Apps for People with Disabilities

Since the world has become more aware of the needs of those with disabilities, many phones come with built-in features that make them more accessible. In android phones users can utilize the built-in options TalkBack, KickBack, and SoundBack. Apple products come with VoiceOver, FaceTime and AssistiveTouch. You should be able to enable these by going to Settings > Accessibility.

Going beyond these built-in accessibility features, many companies offer other Apps with additional functions. Here are a few favorites:

Android

Big Launcher

A fast and simple home screen for elderly and people with vision problems. A fast and simple Android home screen for the elderly and people with vision problems. Or even you, if you hate millions of icons. The BIG Launcher replaces the common user interface of any phone with Android 2.1 or higher. It was designed for readability and easy use. It is controlled by single touches - no swipes, no long presses.

Vlingo Virtual Assistant

The original is still the best voice-powered Virtual Assistant on Android. Looking for Siri-like functionality on your Android device? Look no further. Vlingo is your very own Virtual Assistant. Simply speak to Vlingo and it will help you get more done, faster and easier than before. Try saying "Text John; What's up?" or "find italian restaurants" or even "update Facebook; Vlingo rocks!" Download to learn everything Vlingo can do for you.

Text To Speech Toy

Let your Android phone or honeycomb tablet do all the talking! Text To Speech Toy is fun application that let's your device dicate text to you. You can manipulate the speed that the text is dictated and also the pitch of the voice that reads it. Text To Speech Toy is designed as a fun and entertaining application.

Tecla Access

Can't access Android? Control it with your wheelchair or switches using Tecla! Tecla is a set of open software and hardware tools that facilitate switch access to electronic devices for people with mobility impairments allowing them to control their phone through the switches on their mobility device.

ViBe

Feel who's calling and texting you. Caller ID with vibration patterns. Pick a contact and set or create a unique vibration pattern – it's that easy! You can now create your own personalized ViBe patterns through the custom ViBe feature - just draw something on the screen!. ViBe notifications also work with SMS & MMS text messages. You'll feel who's texting you without having to look down at your phone! Compatible with Handcent, GO SMS Pro. We're looking into making ViBe compatible with Instagram, Gmail, Facebook, and Twitter notifications.

Gesture Search

Search your Android phone by drawing gestures on the touch screen.
Gesture Search lets you quickly find a contact, a bookmark, an application, or a music track on your device by drawing on the screen. Search results are updated as you add each letter or digit and becomes better by learning from your search history.

Eyes-Free Shell

Turns your Android into an eyes-free communication device.
Provides one-touch access to Android applications, as well as useful mini-apps built into the Eyes-Free Shell.
Move your finger over the screen to explore; lift your finger up to run what you stopped on.

Voice Search

Search the web and your phone by voice and control your phone with Voice Actions
Quickly search your phone, the web, and nearby locations by speaking, instead of typing. Call your contacts, get directions, and control your phone with Voice Actions.
Note: Voice Actions is only available in US English for now.

Choice Dialer Plus

Choice Dialer Plus is a faster voice dialer with voice confirmations, more launch triggers and more commands. It will work using a Bluetooth headset on most (all?) phones running Android 2.2 or later and it does not require a data connection except for features transcribing speech to text.
Play music, schedule events, look up contacts, place calls, toggle settings & more.
Dictate texts, emails, and Facebook status updates.
Send texts, by voice, using Google Voice.

Apple - iPad/iPhone

The Americans with Disabilities Act Reference

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in June of 1990 to ensure that all americans with disabilities have the same equal opportunities as all americans.

Ever since its introduction, there have been questions about how and what is the best way for businesses and individuals to comply with the law. Sometimes, it can be hard to obtain the actual bill to refer to it as necessary. That is, until now.

The application is divided into sections, just like the actual bill is and is easy to use. The user scrolls through the sections with the flip of his or her finger. The text is formatted so the user can read the bill with ease.

 

iComm

The iComm (short for I Communicate) is an app providing an affordable, custom built and easy to use communication system using pictures and words - both written and spoken. It is ideal for children under three until they are able to express their needs through well formed speech. The iComm is also very useful for children with a broad range of disabilities who have trouble communicating such as cerebral palsy or autism.

 

Parking Mobility

Report disabled parking violations to your city in less than 2 minutes. When you see a vehicle parked illegally, simply launch the app, take 3 photos and submit. We tell the city and they ticket the vehicle. You help to improve accessibility in your community and support people with disabilities.

You can also share, find and suggest disabled parking locations anywhere in the world. Most cities do not know where their disabled parking is. So, at first you may find that only a few spots show up on the map where you live.

You can share the locations of existing disabled parking in less than 30 seconds, allowing others in your community to more easily find disabled parking. By tapping the map pin, you can quickly see that parking location's details (# of spots, rear-/side-ramp accessibility, cost, etc.)

 

soundAMP Lite

Amplify the world around you discreetly with iPhone and iPod touch.
* The most popular hearing app on the App Store.
* Over 60,000 purchased in 55 countries.
* Runs on iOS 4.
* Top 5 medical app.
* Featured by Apple in the "Special Education - Learning for Everyone" category.
* Featured by Apple in the "New & Noteworthy" and "Staff Favorites" categories.
* Included on demo iPhones in Apple Stores nationwide.
* Selected by Apple as the hearing app for Apple's website.

Sounds are sent to your earbuds in real time. Hear what you'd like to hear.

Works in many situations, around the table at home, watching TV, in lecture halls, at parties, wherever you'd like to hear, or overhear, the people around you!

 

Verbally

Verbally is an amazing, comprehensive assisted speech solution for the iPad. Verbally is a top-selling Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) iPad app and it's totally free. Unlike all other AAC solutions available, Verbally's unique, simple design allows users to communicate quickly and effectively in any setting.

Verbally enables creative communication, self-expression, and, most importantly, conversation.

Just download Verbally from the iTunes app store. Then, just use your finger or stylus to tap your sentence into the text box & tap speak. It's that easy!

 

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