A Toolbox of Apps

Assistive Technology Consultant Shelley Haven, is a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and a Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (RET) with more than 30 years of experience.

Haven specializes in  learning  differences, ADHD & executive functioning.   At her website, TECHnology to Unlock POTENTIAL, Havens  provides listings of links to a variety of apps.

Because many software tools perform multiple functions, it’s difficult to list technologies by category such as “Technologies for Reading” and “Technologies for Writing” — certain tools would show up in several places — Havens lists the apps by broader topics in  a more eclectic manner.

  • Listening to Recorded Audiobooks
  • Simple text-to-speech, E-readers with text-to-speech and other tools
  • Read, Write & Study Software Suites
  • Resources for Alternatives to Printed Text – Electronic Text (E-text) and Narrated Audiobooks
  • Graphic Organizer and Mind Map Software
  • Portable Word Processors
  • Speech recognition (speech-to-text)
  • PDF Annotation
  • Assorted Reading & Writing Aids
  • Taking Notes & Organizing Notes
  • Math Notation, Graphing & Drawing
  • Math Concepts
  • Assorted Aids for Attention and Executive Functioning
  • Mobile Computing
  • Interactive Electronic Whiteboards and Whiteboard Capture
  • Alternative Access for Computer & iPad
  • Virtualization software (allows Windows to run on Macs)

The value of the lists at this  toolbox page is that you may be  introduced to an unfamiliar app or discover  new or updated information about an app you already use.

 

 

Note: Havens works in the California peninsula area and the  San Francisco Bay area. She also works remotely with clients.

Georgia Tech Offers “Tools for Life” App Finder

appsthe Tools for Life Appfinder, available at Tools for Life, the Georgia Assistive Technology Project, is a very useful web-based search engine for apps! You can search by name, device type, or function. It’s also possible to limit the search by price (FREE, up to $4.99, up to 9.99 or ALL.)

There are also options to add an app, rate an app and offer comments and suggestions.

Researching and locating new apps can be an overwhelming task. “Our Favorite Apps” database promises to help make your app search much easier. This database is a unique tool that will allow you to search for apps by disability or multiple disabilities as well as by price ranges and device types. Every app housed in this database has been used and/ or tested by one or more members of the Tools for Life team along with many of our peers from across the country including members of other Assistive Technology (AT) Act Programs, physical, occupational and speech language therapists; AT professionals; people with disabilities and other leaders in the disability community. You will also find reviews and comments from apps users across the country to help you make informed decisions before purchasing and using an app. With so many apps available, our Tools for Life App database will also link you to other app databases that were designed for specific disabilities.

Tools for Life also offers two other helpful resource pages:

Our Other Favorite Apps: A short list of links to other resources of helpful apps for specific disabilities (e.g. autism and dyslexia) or other app review sites

Helpful Links:  A variety of links and links to helpful videos (e.g. Voice Over Basics, Proloquo2Go e-Learning Videos

Google Docs Voice Typing Lets You Speak Instead of Type

Google Chrome users may be interested in this review from Extreme Tech about Google “Voice Typing.”  According to the review:

Voice Typing is different, though; it’s kind of a built-in version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking (for those of you who remember and/or still use that program). Voice Typing works in Chrome on the desktop, as well as the Docs apps for Apple iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android.

Voice Typing does have some shortcomings and probably won’t replace a full-fledged dictation program like Dragon Naturally Speaking, but it is free, has potential and is certainly worth experimenting with if you are a Chrome user.

Google Docs Voice Typing Lets You Speak Instead of Type