There are many apps available that will not only support accessing the curriculum for those learners with disabilities but can also encourage all learners to engage with learning materials in a fun and interactive way. The following is not an exhaustive list, but a curated list of apps that can have application to many learners in the classroom, and across the curriculum. Prices are correct as of the 8th of August 2024.
- Book Creator is an innovative app and website that empowers learners to create their own digital books. This can be done using text, images, emojis, videos, and audio recordings, adhering to the principles of universal design and allowing expression in many different formats. It is simple to use and allows learners to create and share their personal expression of the materials they have learned. It is a very versatile tool, that can be used in many subject areas including literacy and the arts. You can see our video review and tutorial on our YouTube Channel, EnableIrelandAT. It has both a free limited version, as well a full version for €3.99.
- Inspiration Maps comes in two iOS versions-the free version that allows the creation of up to 5 maps for trial purposes, and the full version which costs €9.99 it is marketed as a visual organiser that can be used for many functions including creating mind maps, diagrams, process flows, brainstorming etc. it is simple to use and includes a large library of graphics. Creations can be customised in terms of shapes, colours, images and audio can be recorded and attached. This is a powerful tool to help learners display knowledge on a topic, create summarisation tools, add new information to what is already known, and organise their thoughts. It includes several pre-installed templates.
- Keedogo Keyboard and Keeble Keyboard are two alternative onscreen keyboard apps from AssistiveWare. Keedogo, costing just €0.99, is an iPad keyboard designed for younger learners who are just starting in the literacy journey. The app has a simplified keyboard, using lowercase letters that can be personalised to the learner’s needs. This includes an alphabetic layout, colour-contrasted keyboards whereby consonants and vowels are displayed in distinct colours, and high-contrast keyboards for learners with a visual impairment. A dyslexia-friendly font keyboard is also available.
Keeble is designed for those learners who may have an access issue due to visual or physical difficulties. As such it allows learners with fine motor challenges, switch users, literacy difficulties and those with vision impairments to type on screen. It also includes word prediction and auditory feedback to support learners in producing text. It works seamlessly with Voice-Over and Switch Control, inbuilt accessibility features in iOS devices. It costs €29.99.
- Clicker, also known as Clicker 8, is a comprehensive literacy support tool, designed to help learners at the primary level. It is designed with several tools that can help with pre-literacy such as matching activities, tools to help with writing which include word prediction, spell checkers, picture support, audio notes and tools to help with reading, including text-to-speech. As well as having a word processor element it has additional tools such as Clicker Books with multimedia features, Clicker Grids (which can be used to support writing by either giving keywords or supporting grammatical structure by giving phrases), Clicker Cloze, as well as a powerful mind mapping element that can be used for structuring work, and identify keywords, which can then be exported into a word bank. It is a very accessible tool and can support those learners using technologies such as switch access, alternative mice and eyegaze. Additional resources can be accessed through an online website. A single-user licence (which includes an additional licence for a support person) costs approximately €630 for a three-year licence. It comes in Windows, iOS and Chrome book versions.
- SnapType was developed by an occupational therapist to help learners with handwriting difficulties complete worksheets through alternative means. Learners can take a picture of their worksheet and then edit it through the app by using the onscreen keyboard or dictation. It includes a text-to-speech element that will read aloud worksheets for learners. Learners can also draw on screen making it useful for non-typing activities. It is a simple-to-use app and is available in iOS, Android and Chrome book versions. There is a limited features version available free of charge, while the full version on the iOS App Store costs€59.99 and the Android/chrome book version also comes with a free trial and a slightly lesser featured version costing €16.99.