Maine CITE

Large numbers of consumers, parents, teachers, therapists and AT professionals  purchase mobile and handheld devices and downloading various apps to be used as assistive technology and educational software for people with disabilities. The ability to test and review every app that can be used in this manner is nearly impossible. To aid Maine consumers and AT professionals who may be interested in knowing more about what’s out there, we have assembled this resource.

Last updated: February 4, 2012

“Buyer Beware”

When purchasing any product, consumers need to do their homework and examine the quality of each purchase/download carefully. The resources here are for informational purposes and are not an endorsement of any product or device (please see our disclaimer below). Most of the “app stores” have a place where users can rate and comment about the various apps. We recommend that you read these reviews carefully. While many of the apps listed in this resource are free to download, some cost a considerable amount of money and many are sold with a no refund policy (see Getting Refunds for your iTunes Store Purchases; Apple’s iTunes Store Terms and Conditions; Google Android Market return policy)

The Resources - Lists of Apps

• Special Education Collection in the iTunes App Store – these applications are reviewed by Apple employees- use of this resource requires iTunes which is a free application that can be downloaded from Apple.
  
  • Apps for iPhone/iPod Touch - requires plugin
  • Apps for iPad - requires plugin
• Eric Sailor’s Speech & Language Pathology resource website (includes reviews and tutorials as well as links to other resources)
• Eric Sailor's publication: “iPhone, iPad, an iPod Touch Apps for Special Education” (in Scribd)
• Eric Sailor's revised publication (June 2011) "iPod Touch app tutorial" (in Scribd)
• Special Needs Apps of Kids - SNApps4Kids - Easter Seals of Greater Houston
• There's an App for That - Comprehensive list of apps developed by Theresa Willkomm, PhD, ATP at ATinNH.org
• “Cool Apps for your Therapy Toolbag” at Not Your Average Therapy Bag – this resource has numerous links
• Apps as AT for Augmentative Communications - from Linda Bonnar, M.A. CCC/SLP-ATP, Pine Tree Society
• Mobile Learning 4 Special Needs - a wiki by Luis F Perez with lists of apps and other resources.
• Mobile Learning 4 Special Needs is also on Facebook 
• Hillary Brumer's Appolicious site
• Jon and Emily’s World
• Moms with Apps
• Apps for Children with Special Needs (a4cwsp)
• Our Lil’ Ole List of iPad Apps
• iPad 2 Apps for Accessibility - Compiled by Clarissa Barnhill - Utah AT Program
• Assistive Technology Apps for iPad, iPod and iPhone - Compiled by Indiana AT Act
• Apps, apps, so many apps - from Assistive Technology Center for Region 3 of Louisiana
• List of Apps and AT - from A Day In Our Shoes blog

Reviews and Articles about Apps

• 2011 Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's Guide to the Best Apps
• Best Android Apps and Options for Persons with Disabilities from Android Authority
• Guide to Best Apps for People Living with Paralysis from the Spinal Cord Injury Zone
• Top iPhone Apps for the Blind and Visually Impaired
• Apps for Blind and Visually Impaired from AppAdvice
• The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) May 2011 newsletter is devoted to Apps
• IEAR.ORG Educational Apps Review
• Ten of the best Droid apps for education - eSchool News - March 2011
• 10 of the best (Apple) apps for education - eSchool News - January 2011
• Andy Brovey’s “iPads as Assistive Technology: More Than 30 Apps for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)”
• Glenda Anderson - Assistive Technology Apps Plus - What you need to know
• ATMAC.ORG - iPad Assistive Technology/Disability Round-Up 
• The iPad as a Distruptive Force in Assistive Technology - by Michael Janger includes list of links - July 2011
• Apps With Amps: Mobile Devices, Hearing Assistive Technology, and Older Adults - by Sharon A. Lesner & Mona Klingler, ASHA Leader October 11, 2011
• Part 1 in a five-part series of YouTube videos about iPod/iPad apps and AT - produced by then Utah AT Program. Note: these videos are not captioned.
• Think Before Buying an iPad for Your Special Needs Child - Blog by By Brian Simms, Colorado Therapy Associates September 16, 2011

Disclaimer

The Maine CITE Program offers this website to help people find and get the AT they need and want. This is part of the public service mission of the University of Maine System. Maine CITE does not endorse any of the devices or applications listed on this site. It is the sole responsibility of the users of this site to check out the devices and applications listed. Maine CITE is not responsible for users' actions or inactions, is not involved in the transactions between users and vendors, and has no control over and does not guarantee the suitability, fitness, condition, quality, safety or legality of devices or applications listed, or the accuracy of any information posted.

BY USING THIS SERVICE, YOU ACCEPT THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND AGREE TO RELEASE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMESS THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM AND ITS MAINE CITE PROGRAM FROM ANY CLAIMS, LOSSES, JUDGEMENTS, COSTS, FINES, PENALTIES OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE.