There’s an App for That!
Apps, or mobile applications, have revolutionized our lives. We use apps to get directions, shop online, increase productivity, or motivate us to make a lifestyle change. But did you know that apps have also made a huge impact on the lives of people living with disabilities? Apps can assist with communication, learning new skills, daily routines, and so much more.
Here is a list of some apps that we’ve found helpful, but it’s not an all-inclusive list; new apps are developed every week. Some of these apps are free, while others have a cost associated with them. Want a downloadable version to print? Click Here.
Hearing
Text to Speech
Speak4me | FREE | Text to Speech app for iPhone Speaks more than 26 languages and several regional accents Save frequently used phrases in a favorite list. |
Speak-4-Me | FREE | Text to Speech app for Android Simple interface, easy to use No ads |
| Text to Speech! | FREE (membership eliminates ads) | Text to speech produces natural sounding synthesized text from the words that you have entered in. 95 different voices in 38 different languages/accents Ability to adjust the rate and pitch No internet required |
| Flip Writer AAC | $49.99 (one time purchase price) | A conversation app with a flipped display for people with speech and hearing impairments or other complex needs. Compatible with external keyboards. Large tap surface is extremely useful for those with motor difficulties Customizable accents and speech rate, plus powerful word prediction Save and organize frequently used phrases |
Speech to Text
| Ava | FREE (premium is $19.99/month) | A conversation app for communications with people who are deaf or hard of hearing – provides real-time captioning of conversation Can accommodate conversations between two or more people Text to speech capability FREE plan allows for only 5 hours of conversation per month |
| My Ear | $9.99 | A speech to text app that transcribes everything it hears Allows for Bluetooth microphone connectivity 95% accurate Ability to modify text size |
| Live Transcribe | FREE | Android app that automatically transcribes speech in near-real time, allowing people to communicate in situations where they might not otherwise be able to. Over 70 languages and dialects; recognizes language of person speaking Allows for bi-lingual conversations Internet required |
| Google Keyboard | FREE | A free keyboard app with lots of features can be used to help people communicate Hundreds of language varieties Can be used as text to speech or speech to text |
Learn ASL
| The ASL App | FREE (Can buy ASL App Pack for $9.99) | Teaches conversational ASL and designed to make learning easy, accessible, and fun Over 1800 signs and phrases Easy to use and navigate New content added regularly Ability to slow down video speed |
| Marlee Signs | FREE | Learn ASL with Academy Award winning Deaf Actress, Marlee Matlin Fundamental ASL, everyday words and expressions Finger-spelling feature Learn at your own pace |
| SignSchool | FREE | Fun, free resource for learning ASL at your own pace Video-based learning; engage in active learning with interactive exercises Focus on learning what’s relevant to you Also available on a desktop |
| ASL Dictionary | $4.99 | A must-have educational ASL app Over 5200 signs, including common phrases No internet required Loop and slow motion video feature |
Seeing
Reading
| Vani | FREE | Handle daily incoming calls using voice commands Make outgoing calls Answer or decline incoming calls Can speak out caller name |
| Voice Dream Reader | $14.99 | An accessible reading tool for mobile devices Advanced text to speech Highly configurable screen layout 36 built-in voices in 27 languages Voice control in iOS 13 |
| Sero | FREE | Radio stations, podcasts and reading services of special interest to blind and visually impaired persons; as well as anuone wanting to know what life is like without eyesight All community radio stations owned/operated by people with limited or no sight Podcasts are produced by blind or partially sighted individuals Reading services provide narration of newspapers, magazines, etc. |
| NaturalReader | FREE (paid membership includes more features) | A text-to-speech app that reads webpages, documents, and eBooks aloud to you with quality, natural sounding voices Over 50 voices in over 20 languages Has a desktop version Paid membership includes more voices Read webpages, documents, eBooks, e-mails, and more |
| BARD Mobile | FREE | BARD Mobile is a service of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress. NLS provides free audio and braille reading materials to residents of the United States and American citizens living abroad who cannot read regular print books. |
Speech to Text
| Google Keyboard (Gboard) | FREE | A free keyboard app with lots of features can be used to help people communicate Hundreds of language varieties Can be used as text to speech or speech to text |
| SpeechToText | FREE | A simple to use app for dictating text which can be sent as an SMS or E-mail or copied and pasted into another app |
Seeing Objects
| Seeing AI | FREE | Designed for the blind and low vision community, this ongoing research project harnesses the power of AI to open up the visual world and describe nearby people, text and objects. Explore photos by touch Customize the order in which channels are shown On the Person channel, teach Seeing AI to recognize someone new |
| NantMobile Money Reader | FREE | Instantly recognizes currency and speaks the denomination, enabling people experiencing visual impairments or blindness to quickly and easily identify and count bills. 21 currencies supported No internet required Recognition happens instantly-in real-time |
| TapTapSee | FREE | TapTapSee is designed to help the blind and visually impaired identify objects they encounter in their everyday lives. Uses camera to take a picture Describes colors, objects, words in the picture |
| BeMyEyes | FREE | Sighted volunteers lend their eyes to solve big and small tasks, helping blind and low-vision people lead more independent lives. Live audio-video connection between sighted volunteers and those 90% of calls answered within 30 seconds Add languages you speak in settings |
Magnification
| Claro Mag X | FREE | Turns your mobile device into a powerful high definition visual magnifier. Has 16 levels of magnification Allows photograph to be taken, capturing magnified document for later viewing Freeze mode freezes images for closer viewing |
| See It – Video Magnifier | FREE | Video magnifier that works by streaming a real time video feed to your iPhone or iPad’s screen from your device’s back-facing camera. Designed by the visually impaired for the visually impaired. Free, but can buy membership Over 15 filters to change the color or contrast |
GPS Apps
| Ariadne GPS | $5.99 | While most navigation apps require the user to use their sight to anticipate directions, Ariadne GPS has talking maps that can even signal to cross the street through vibrating. “Favorites” feature announces stops on public transportation, which can be helpful to those who ride the bus or train Works anywhere that Google Maps is available |
| Google Maps | FREE | Although a simpler suggestion, Google Maps is highly intuitive and is an incredible tool for people who are blind or have low vision. Proactive Suggestions and ability to search with Siri Verbal walking instructions Indoor maps |
Educational Tools
| Talking Calculator | $1.99 | Designed for a wide range of users, this calculator has large colorful buttons, optional high contrast, and full VoiceOver support. Select between two user-interfaces: standard calculator, and ultra-simple Reads answers, entered numbers and formulas aloud Optional high contrast mode (black on yellow) |
| Talking Typer | $4.99 | Accessible typing and computer keyboard tutorial app – designed for blind and visually impaired students, but can be used by sighted students too. 35 Built-in Lessons Hurry Scurry Game Self-Voicing and VoiceOver Accessible |
| Learn Braille Alphabet | $0.99 | Braille alphabet is widely used by blind people. With this application, children and adults can learn how to speak, listen and write Braille alphabet. User interaction and colorful animation Easy to use |
Mobility
Wheelchair Access
| Wheelmap | FREE | Find and rate wheelchair accessible places, worldwide. Wheelmap is available in 32 languages. Very user-friendly Green = fully wheelchair accessible |
| WheelMate | FREE | WheelMate gives you an instant overview of your nearest wheelchair-friendly toilets and parking spaces on an interactive map. Wheelchair users add and verify every location 35,000 locations across 45 countries |
Movement
| Dexteria | $5.99 | Hand and finger activities that help build strength, control, and dexterity. Designed in consultation with Occupational Therapists Automatically creates performance and usage reports that can be emailed |
Controlling Aspects of Your Home/Environment
| Google Home | FREE | With the Google Home app, set up, manage and control your Google Home and Chromecast devices, plus thousands of connected home products like lights, cameras, thermostats and more – all from one app. Requires you to own a Google Home Works like a remote with over 5,000 smart home devices |
| Apple Home Control | FREE | Control everything from one device – turn on lights, close curtains, change tv channels, turn up the heat, etc. Control any device that can be operated by InfraRed signals Single switch, two switch, and joystick inputs |
| Amazon Alexa | FREE | Use the Amazon Alexa App to set up your Alexa-enabled devices, listen to music, create shopping lists, get news updates, and much more. The more you use Alexa, the more she adapts to your voice, vocabulary, and personal preferences. Requires an Amazon Echo device and Alexa enabled devices |
| Housemate | FREE | HouseMate is a combined hardware/app solution that enables a switch user to fully control their iOS device and use it to operate other equipment in their home or work environment using a combination of InfraRed, HomeKit, IFTTT and other technologies. |
Communication
| Jabberwocky | FREE | Jabberwocky AAC is an assistive communication app which enables a user with limited speech to talk using only head movement. Requires a device that supports Face ID Word prediction saves time and learns what you type |
Learning
Text to Speech
| NaturalReader | FREE (Paid membership includes more features) | A text-to-speech app that reads webpages, documents, and eBooks aloud to you with quality, natural-sounding voices. Over 50 voices in over 20 languages Has a desktop version Paid membership includes more voices Read webpages, documents, eBooks, emails, and more |
| Read&Write | FREE | A powerful keyboard replacement that works in every app. Supports reading, writing, comprehension and vocabulary development. Read&Write provides a rich set of features which extend accessibility and provide a range of tools to help with literacy including: Text to speech, word prediction Dictionary / Talking dictionary / Picture Dictionary |
| Kurzweil 30000 | FREE | Kurzweil 3000 by Kurzweil Education for the iPad is a mobile extension to the Kurzweil 3000 product that delivers anytime, anywhere access to key reading supports for those individuals with the cognitive ability, but not the literacy skills, to learn from age appropriate content. |
Speech to Text
| Voice Dream Writer | $9.99 | Voice Dream Writer helps everyone write better: Text-to-speech proofreading reduces mistakes, phonetic and meaning search help you use the right words, and an active outline helps you organize and improve the structure of your writing. Featured in the US App Store Education Collection Voice Dream Writer’s technically designed for people with reading disabilities, but it’s useful for just about anyone who needs a little help proofing |
| Dragon Anywhere | FREE TRIAL | The most accurate professional-grade dictation service available on the market. Powerful customizations mean even better dictation accuracy as you create documents. Fast and accurate dictation means you can dictate immediately with 99% accuracy right out of the gate |
| Speechify | FREE TRIAL | Speechify designed to help people with Dyslexia, ADD, Concussions, Second Language Learners, Auditory Learners, Super Learners and Productivity Fanatics. Take a picture of any physical text or book and Speechify will read it to you like an audiobook using OCR and Text To Speech. Translate text with 98% accuracy into any of 50+ languages and have it spoken in your native language. |
Audio Books
| Audible | FREE | Audible, an Amazon company is home to best-selling audiobooks across all genres including mysteries, thrillers, motivation, memoirs, and more. Audiobooks available for as little as $2.95 Members get 30% off any additional titles they purchase |
| OverDrive | FREE | Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming video from your library using OverDrive on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. More than 30,000 libraries worldwide offer titles from OverDrive, so download the app and find your next book today! |
| Dolphin EasyReader | FREE | EasyReader is a FREE accessible reading app for readers with dyslexia, low vision or blindness. Browse & download from the World’s largest collection of talking book and newspaper libraries. Can add a human-sounding voice of your choice. Boost comfort or contrast – choose colors, text size and highlights to suit your visual needs |
| Learning Ally | FREE | This app provides access to the Learning Ally library of human-read audiobooks offering the largest selection of books students want and need to read, including bestsellers, literature, and textbooks. Free membership through school and school district |
Communicating
| Speak4me | FREE | Text to Speech app for iPhone Speaks more than 26 languages and several regional accents Save frequently used phrases in a favorite list. |
| Text to Speech! | FREE (membership eliminates ads) | Text to speech produces natural sounding synthesized text from the words that you have entered in. 95 different voices in 38 different languages/accents Ability to adjust the rate and pitch No internet required |
| I Can Communicate! | FREE | An app for individuals who have augmentative and alternative communication needs. Word button text to speech application Adjustable taking speed English and Spanish |
| Flip Writer AAC | $49.99 (One-time purchase price) | A conversation app with a flipped display for people with speech and hearing impairments of other complex needs. Compatible with external keyboards. Large tap surface is extremely useful for those with motor difficulties Customizable accents and speech rate, plus powerful word prediction Save and organize frequently used phrases |
Augmentative and Assistive Communication Tools
| Speech Assistant | $11.99 | Speech Assistant AAC is a text-to-speech app designed for people who are speech impaired, for example due to Aphasia, MND/ALS, Autism, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy or other speech problems. Easy to use and completely customizable Categories to organize phrases |
| MyTalkTools Mobile | $99.99 | MyTalkTools is an award-winning app that enables over 100,000+ people with communication difficulties to express their needs and desires to those around them. A good solution for people with down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing or visual impairments, autism or other diagnoses that impair communication ability. It supports users, teachers, therapists, caregivers and parents with many innovative features. |
| Cough Drop | FREE | CoughDrop is a simple, modern AAC communication and support tool that empowers individuals and the teams around them. It is a full-featured communication app built for individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Rett syndrome, or other complex communication needs. CoughDrop is flexible and configurable enough to accommodate the access and comprehension needs of many communicators. |
| Predictable | $159.99 | Designed for literate individuals who have lost the ability to speak; possible due to cerebral palsy, MND, a laryngectomy, stroke, apraxia or brain injury. Customize rate of speech, keyboard settings, background colors, contrasts, text size Switch access |
| TippyTalk | FREE TRIAL (1 Month) | The TippyTalk app is the first of its kind; the first communication tool that removes the person living with the verbal disability from the limitations of same room communication and opens the door to the world around them. User-friendly and easy to program Subscription is $42.99/quarter or $99.99/year |
| Proloquo2Go | $249.99 | Tap images. Type words. Speak. Proloquo2Go is an easy to use communication app for people who cannot speak or need help being understood. Natural sounding voices Fully customizable |
| TouchChat HD w/WordPower | $299.99 | TouchChat HD is a full-featured communication solution for individuals who have difficulty using their natural voice. TouchChat is designed for individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, ALS, apraxia, stroke, or other conditions that affect a person’s ability to use natural speech. WordPower is a word-based vocabulary that allows for easy and intuitive communication, while WordPower with Phrases incorporates phrases for easier language generation. |
Organizing
| Google Tasks | FREE | Manage, capture, and edit your tasks from anywhere, at any time, with to-dos that sync across all your devices. Integrations with Gmail and Google Calendar help you get tasks done—faster. Quickly capture tasks anywhere, add details and create subtasks View tasks created from emails Stay on track with due dates and notifications |
| Google Keep | FREE | Capture, edit, share, and collaborate on your notes on any device, anywhere. Add notes, lists, photos, and audio to Keep Organize your notes with labels and colors Set and forget. Get reminded about a note at the right time or place Record a voice memo and have it automatically transcribed |
| Reminder App | FREE | Monthly reminder application with notifications before due. Reminder dates are shown in calendar date individually It will trigger the alarm before the due date at given dates It also shows remaining days till the due date Notifications messages will be shown even when the app is not running |
| Wunderlist | FREE | Wunderlist is a simple to-do list and task manager app that helps you get stuff done. Whether you’re sharing a grocery list with a loved one, working on a project, or planning a vacation, Wunderlist makes it easy to capture, share and complete your to-dos. Wunderlist instantly syncs between your phone, tablet and computer, so you can access your to-dos from anywhere. |
| Remember the Milk | FREE | The smart to-do app for busy people. You’ll never forget the milk (or anything else) again. Get to-dos out of your head, and let the app remember for you Get reminded via email, text, IM, Twitter, and mobile notifications Share your lists and give tasks to others to get things done faster |
