assistive technology: free & low cost apps for student use megan shadrick, m.s., m.a., coms...

Assistive Technology: Free & Low Cost

Apps for Student UseMegan Shadrick, M.S., M.A., COMS

Associate Director, Disability Resource Center-Access Technology CenterMissouri State University

Overview

• Where to begin• Where to go for resources and ideas• Some popular apps right now

Apps as Assistive Technology• Where do you begin?• Become familiar with the built-in accessibility features of the tablets• At a minimum know the basics of navigation and use• Have on hand resources and videos to share with students

General Accessibility Resources

Apple Accessibility http://www.apple.com/accessibility/

IOS Access For All (book)http://www.iosaccessbook.com/

General Accessibility Resources

Android Accessibilityhttps://support.google.com/accessibility/android/?hl=en#topic=6007234 http://www.google.com/accessibility/products/ Free Udemy Course: Accessibility Features on Androidhttp://bridgingapps.org/2013/09/new-free-udemy-course-accessibility-features-on-android/

Where Do You Turn for App Advice & Resources?• “Google it”• Know the need or desired function• Use key words or phrases such as “learning disability and reading

apps”

My Favorite ResourcesApplevis http://applevis.com/ DyslexiaHelp at the University of Michiganhttp://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/tools/

National Center for Learning Disabilitieshttp://ncld.org/

Assist Ireland http://www.assistireland.ie/eng/Information/Information_Sheets/Apps_for_People_with_Disabilities_and_Older_People.html

AHEAD Archives• http://Ahead.org• Currently a handout from 2012 conference• #8.11 “There’s An App For That!” A Small Look At Some Apple iPad™

Educational Apps• Deanna Arbuckle, University of Dayton

Maintaining an App List• How do you remain current and relevant?• Keeping up with the next “best app” can be difficult!• Social media• RSS feeds• List serves

My Favorite List ServesATHEN list - Access Technology Higher Education NetworkATHEN is a professional association and network for Access Technology in Higher Education. The purpose of ATHEN is to collect and disseminate best practices in access technology in the higher education environment as well as present a collective voice for the professional practice of access technology in higher education. http://mailman13.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list

My Favorite List ServesThe HTCTU altmedia listThe High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges provides training and support in Assistive Computer Technology, Alternate Media, and Web Accessibility. The HTCTU provides listservs open to colleagues in higher ed and service providers who work with individuals with disabilities. The altmedia list, dedicated to the discussion of alternate media and assistive technologies, is a helpful, knowledgeable, friendly community that is a great resource for anyone in the assistive technology field. http://htclistserv.htctu.fhda.edu/read/all_forums/

Learning How To Use Apps• Finding the time to learn• Finding how to videos and resources to share• Have apps available in the office for students to try before they buy

Questions

Some Popular AT Apps Right Now

• Apps frequently mentioned on list serves• Apps frequently mentioned by students

Apps for ReadingApple Google PlayGood Reader- $2.99 ezPDF Reader- FreeClaroPDF (VO)- $2.99 @Voice Aloud Reader- FreeVoice Dream (VO)- $9.99 Cool Reader- FreeVbookz PDF Voicereader- $4.99 NaturalReader Text to Speech-

Free

Apps for NotetakingApple Google PlayAudio Class Notes- Free Study Blue- FreeStudyBlue- Free Lecture Recording- $1.99Notability- $2.99 Lecture Notes- $4.26

Apps to Stay OrganizedApple Google PlayiStudiez Lite (VO)- Free MyLifeOrganized- FreeTo-Do Daily Planner- Free Trello- FreeEvernote (VO)- Free

Apps for Dictation and Writing

Apple Google PlayBuilt-in dictation Built-in dictationPages- $9.99 Writer- FreeNotes-Included Memo- Free

OCR Scanning AppsApple Google PlayCamScanner- Free Cam Scanner- FreeGenius Scan- Free Genius Scan- FreeABBYY TextGrabber + ABBY TextGrabber +

Translator- $6.99 Translator- $6.99Voxdox (also TTS)- Free Voxdox- Text to Speech Pro- FreePrizmo (VO and TTS)- $9.99SmartScan+OCR- $1.99

Math AppsApple Google PlayPhotoMath- Free Talking Calculator- FreeTalking Calculator- $0.99 MyScript Calculator- FreeTalking Scientific Calculator- $4.99MyScript Calculator- FreeMyScript MathPad- Free

Don’t Forget the Next Best App!

• Some will stick around while others will fade away• There will always be something with more features around the corner

It’s Okay Not To Be The Expert

• Know where to go or who to ask

Missouri State UniversityMegan Shadrick M.S., M.A., COMS Associate Director Disability Resource Center-Access Technology Center (417)836-4275 meganshadrick@missouristate.edu http://www.missouristate.edu/atc

Questions