Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Free and On Sale Apps

From Morgan Kolis of the facebook group iTeach Special Education- iDevices in Special Education.

Free and Sale Apps-

Thomas and Friends: Day of the Diesels is on sale!!!! $.99!

Thomas and Friends: Hero of the Rails on sale!!! $.99!

Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue on sale too!!! $.99!

Angelina Ballerina's New Ballet Teacher is on sale for $.99!

Point to Pictures (an AAC "training" App) is FREE for two weeks, then $29.95!

Spell-A-Word is FREE for two weeks only, then $29.95!

Apps by Auryn like this one- Bunny Fun: Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes go on sale TOMORROW (the 24th-27th) for $.99!

Peek-a-Zoo HD by Duck Duck Moose is only $.99.

Snoopy's Street Fair is FREE today.

Feel Electric! (by Sesame Street) is FREE!

Lego Duplo Jams is FREE!

Lego Creationary is FREE!

There's No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System has a special intro price of $3.99.

Christmas Fun- All In One App is FREE.

Other Noteworthy Apps-

A Charlie Brown Christmas App is $6.99.

Make it Pop is $1.99.

Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App! is $6.99.

Another Monster at the End of This Book...Starring Grover & Elmo!
Special limited-time introductory price of $0.99!


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Home Button Help: BubCaps


If you have a child that you would like to deter from hitting the home button on your iPad or other iOS device - there is a new affordable (under $10 including shipping) product that seems to be getting many favorable reviews called the BubCap.

BubCaos are basically really tough stickers that you place over the home key on your iOS device. They come in 3 different rigidity levels - regular, ultra, and max. There is a combo pack to let you see which is the best fit for your situation. Available from amazon.com or directly from the manufacturer, PaperClip Robot.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Printing and iOS 5


If you have upgraded to iOS 5 - our printer solution in a past post will no longer work.

First off - a note that a few printing manufacturers are putting out apps intended to allow iPads to print to their printers. So if you are buying new - check it out!

For those in other spots, there is a solution for iOS 5, but it is not free.

A company called Collobos software puts out the “FingerPrint” product. This software will run under Windows XP, Vista, 7, or Mac OS X 10.5 – 10.7.

There is a one week trial version that can be downloaded from the site:

http://www.collobos.com/index.html

It is a very easy installation, the main FingerPrint window shows a list of all shared printers. You can check or uncheck from the list.

Nothing needs to be installed on the iPad.

If you like the software, it’ll cost you $9.99 for the non-time-limited solution.

Caveat: The computer with the attached printer must be on the same subnet as the IOS device. For most home users that will not be a problem – it’s more of an issue in a corporate setting.

There is also an app iTunes Link fairly affordable at just under $9, but reviews are only at 3.5 stars.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

iVote: Oregon Pilots iPad Use for Voting


November is voting season here in the states. 5 counties in Oregon piloted a program to use the iPads for those with special needs. Everyone Counts an organization based on the mission of "efficient, affordable and trusted elections should be available to voters, election officials and poll workers everywhere" helped establish the program. This concept of "universally accessible election systems" was brought to Orgeon and 89 voters gave it a try.

To read more about this, check out the AP's article or KEZI news.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Android Apps

A repost from the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) webpage.
Written by Dr. Tanya Whitehead.

Android offers a wide range of FREE disability apps for any user with an Android phone.

You can find them through the Android Market button on the phone, or by typing in the web address http://androidzoom.com/android_applications/disability

Below are a few of the offerings:

AgileAssyst: AgileAssyst was designed to be a support system to help users with autism, traumatic brain injury, cognitive disability, or Alzheimer’s become more self-sufficient. The user’s coach enters and updates a daily schedule using the AgileAssyst online web portal. Videos can be used to model specific tasks.

Features of the app include a simplified user interface that replaces the standard phone screen; secure control from a web portal, real time location finder on web portal, simplified picture based phone call screen, audio text to speech, audio-tactile alarms, statistical summaries for the user.

Autism Express: This fun app was designed to help people with autism spectrum identify and express their emotions. A sample screen shot can be viewed at http://www.androidzoom.com/android_games/brain_puzzle/autismxpress_ypdq.html

My Disability Answers: This app was created by the Advocator Group. Disability Answers provides searchable information on topics such as how to apply for SSDI, the benefits of having a representative, and the information about Medicare. There is a Q and A app that walks a person through the eligibility criterion for SSDI.

ViBe Alert: The developer’s description is “Feel who’s calling you. “Vibe” is like Caller ID but with Vibration Patterns. Pick a contact and set a unique vibration pattern – it’s that easy!” The comments of early users show that it really works! You can find out more at: http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/communication/vibe_blvjy.html

Working Concepts: This app feature provides job training services for people with disabilities. The three I saw demonstrated on the website (http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/education/workingconcepts_bfrrh.html) were: Employment Skills Training, Job Readiness Training, and Personal Social Adjustment Training.

Some additional apps are available for a fee. The Code Factory offers a very nice app for $99 (as of this writing) that can be viewed at http://www.codefactory.es/en/products.asp?id=415

The same feature is called “Mobile Accessibility Lite” by AT&T who offers it at no cost to their customers. This feature provdes a suite of 11 applications for the phone, contacts, SMS, Alarm, Calendar, Email, Web, “Where am I?”, Music Player and Settings.

The web may help you find additional resources. Try searching “accessible app”, “android app” or “disability app”.

Dr. Tanya Whitehead’s background includes 9 years in clinical practice of psychology, 15 years in higher education teaching, and 23 years in research. She has served as both a researcher and/or faculty member at the University of Kansas, School of Medicine, the University of Missouri- Kansas City and now as a Senior Research Scientist at the University of Illinois-Chicago in the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

"The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly": A Fantastic AAC App Spreadsheet


Nick Weiland, an Assistive Technology Consultant at Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence, in Columbus Ohio has created a fantastic spreadsheet on AAC apps entitled " AAC Apps: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly -‐ Fall 2011" . Check it out!


Sunday, November 6, 2011

iPad Donation Sites to Check Out


For those looking for financial assistance or a possible donation of an iPad - here are a few websites to check out:

**Please note that several of these sites only do periodic giveaways, and you may need to check back in at another time. Some are based on need and income levels. Some require documentation from therapist.



Loud Mommy

A4cwsn

Danny's Wish

The HollyRod Foundation


Let's Chat Autism

Act Today!

Hannahs Friends

Babies With iPads

Friday, November 4, 2011

Free Apps for Early Learners

Counting Coins
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/counting-coins/id374981504?mt=8

Count Money - Coin Matching Game
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/count-money-coin-matching/id441896344?mt=8

Color SlapPs
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/color-slapps/id416365360?mt=8

Draw Free
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/draw-free-for-ipad/id366755447?mt=8

First Words (Trial Version)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/firstwords-sampler/id312571156?mt=8

iComm
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icomm/id351726761?mt=8

iWriteWords (Trial Version)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iwritewords-lite/id308152258?mt=8


Kindergarten.com Flashcards
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aba-flash-cards-emotions/id350435867?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aba-flash-cards-actions/id342235464?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aba-flash-cards-alphabet/id342239568?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aba-flash-cards-musical-instruments/id342251283?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aba-flash-cards-zoo-animals/id340012302?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aba-flash-cards-vehicles/id342258756?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aba-flash-cards-things-you-wear/id342256980?mt=8

Match it Up
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/match-it-up-1/id421840435?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/match-it-up-2/id421841614?mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/match-it-up-3/id421842311?mt=8

Monte Lingual Light

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/montelingual-lite-montessori/id414323970?mt=8

See Touch Learn
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/see.touch.learn./id406826506?mt=8


A good resource for children's apps – which will notify you of free and discounted app specials is an app itself – check it out:

Moms with Apps
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moms-with-apps/id416039568?mt=8

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Learning to Count Money apps


Coin Math $1.99
iTunes Linkrrrr FREE Trial Version

Counting Bills & Coins FREE
iTunes Linkrrrr Review

Coin Counting Calculator $0.99
iTunes Link

Counting Coins FREE
iTunes Link

Count Money - Coin Matching Game FREE
iTunes Link

Jungle Coins $ 2.99
iTunes Link rrrVideo 1 rrrVideo 2

Kids Coin Fun $0.99
iTunes Linkrrrr Video

Koala Math 1-3, Money $1.99
iTunes Link

Learn To Count Money $.99
iTunes Link

Make Change $1.99
iTunes Link rrrr Video

My Money Counter FREE
iTunes Link