This list of 8 Useful Accessibility iOS Apps for K-12 is compiled based on those used by teachers in Eanes ISD. It provides a great starting point for teachers, parents, interventionists and special educators. Apps in this list have been used to assist students over the past 5 years of our 1:1 initiative. We make these accessible to all students K-12 through managed distribution in Self Service (JAMF Software).
Useful Accessibility iOS Apps
Learning Ally Link
Description
Learning Ally Link for mobile is an educational reading app, designed for learning through listening. 
Learning Ally provides more than 80,000 human-narrated audiobooks and audio textbooks for dyslexic, blind and visually impaired readers. The Learning Ally library offers bestsellers, classics, textbooks and more. In addition, it offers the VOICEtext format that includes on-screen highlighted text synced with the audio narration.
Learning Ally membership is required to use this app. School memberships include access to Link and can use this educational reading app for students who have print disabilities. Parent or Adult memberships require providing Learning Ally with proof of a print disability.
Learning Ally is a national nonprofit serving students with learning & visual disabilities. We provide resources for parents; training and technology for teachers and schools; and audio textbooks for K-12 and higher ed. Together it’s possible.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/learning-ally-link/id1131235021?mt=8
Co-Writer Universal
Description
Co:Writer® Universal app and third-party keyboard gives students easy access to word prediction on iPad, iPad Pro, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Students simply sign in to their Co:Writer Universal accounts to write with their personal settings and vocabulary.
ABOUT CO:WRITER UNIVERSAL
This version is for schools with a Co:Writer Universal license only. Users without a Co:Writer Universal license must purchase the Co:Writer app.
HOW DOES CO:WRITER WORK?
As letters are typed, Co:Writer predicts the intended word with a selection of word suggestions using powerful grammar-smart word prediction. These suggestions can be read aloud with a swipe. Selecting the intended word places it into the writing document. For feedback while writing (and after writing) built-in text to speech can be used to read letters, words, sentences, and the entire document.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/co-writer-universal/id915105799?mt=8
Claro PDF Lite
Description
ClaroPDF Free is a professional and user-friendly PDF viewer, reader and annotator. Annotate, mark up and save PDF files which are then still fully compatible with Adobe Reader and other popular PDF apps.
+ Annotations, Notes and Comments
ClaroPDF Free includes a powerful Annotation toolbar that lets you add notes and other comments. These are fully interchangeable with Adobe Reader and most other popular PDF apps, so your ClaroPDF Free comments will still be there if you open the PDF on another device. Annotations created in another PDF app can also be viewed and edited.
Annotation features include: highlight; underscore; strikeout; notes; free text (type straight into the PDF); free line draw (with many colors, opacity and thickness control); shapes (circle, square, line – with many colors, opacity and thickness control); images (you can even insert photos from your iPad camera or photo library into the PDF file)
+ Speech, Productivity and Accessibility
ClaroPDF Free has access to the full range of iOS system voices and a range of synchronized colour highlighting options. A ‘Speak in Background’ option lets you listen to a PDF while viewing another app – great for proofreading accessible text PDF files while you’re working in other apps. The ‘Speak on tap’ (either from the tapped sentence or the page’s first sentence) and ‘Stop on tap’ options make speech easy to control.
ClaroPDF allows the background color of the PDF to be changed, to enhance readability. ClaroPDF fully supports VoiceOver. Image PDF files cannot be spoken by ClaroPDF, but can still be fully viewed and annotated.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/claropdf-lite/id666770153?mt=8
GoWorksheet (Student)
Description
GoWorksheet makes printed classroom worksheets and tests accessible with an iPad!
This is the free version which is for filling out customized worksheets created with GoWorksheet. Unlock the power to edit and create your own GoWorksheets via in-app purchase.
GoWorksheet is used to turn printed worksheets and tests into work all students can use. The teacher brings in an image or takes a photo of the worksheet, then customizes it for the student. Customization includes added word banks, allowance of tapping to fill multiple choice answers, drag and drop answers, or audio output that includes more detailed instructions or additional prompting.
Once a GoWorksheet is created, multiple ways are available for the teacher to share it with the student, and for the student to return the completed worksheet. Sharing options include AirDrop, email, any cloud storage set up on the iPad (such as Google Drive or Dropbox), print, or save to Photos.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goworksheet/id1062064833?mt=8
Visual Brailler (free)
Description
Visual Brailler is the simple braille editor. It’s a braille writer for your iPad, and it has a place in every braille transcriber’s toolbox. Use it for NLS certification exercises or to practice UEB. Show off your mastery of braille!
Features:
- 6-dot braille on-screen keyboard
- Support for any and all 6-dot braille codes
- An indefinite number of 40-cell braille lines
- Cut, copy, and paste braille manipulation
- Refreshable braille display input and output
- BRL (unformatted) and BRF (formatted) braille file export
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visual-brailler/id888739587?mt=8
Braille Tutor (Free)
Description
Learn and practice contracted braille (Unified English Braille) with Braille Tutor!
Braille Tutor provides an interactive learning experience for a sighted or blind braille learner. It works on iPad using onscreen keys or home keys on a Bluetooth keyboard. The App is self-voiced, but also works with iOS accessibility.
The app uses sounds and text-to-speech to support vision-impaired learners. Students who use a Bluetooth keyboard also gives the user a feel of the keys.
“Great App! 🙂 Very good for consolidating braille skills learned, particularly at home / places where a learner might not have access to a Brailler.”
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/braille-tutor-free/id878463116?mt=8
TapTyping (Free)
Description
Master typing on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch!
~~~ Free: the TapTyping Speed Test and samples of all of lessons. There’s a one time In-App-Purchase to unlock everything. ~~~
TapTyping is made for you, no matter what your skill level!
- Total beginner? You will become a capable typist after just a few introductory lessons.
- Already decent? Watch your typing speed increase by around 10 words per minute in less than an hour.
- Typing pro? Prove it with high scores on our advanced lessons. Can you top 60 WPM? 80 WPM? 100 WPM?
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/taptyping-typing-trainer/id376526006?mt=8
Phonak RemoteControl (iPhone app)
Description
The RemoteControl App requires a Phonak ComPilot II or ComPilot Air II streamer as an interface to the Venture and Belong hearing aids.
The Phonak RemoteControl App turns any smartphone into a remote control. It provides clients with the opportunity to extend more control and flexibility over their Phonak Venture and Belong hearing aids with the use of their smartphone.
Once installed, the easy-to-follow pairing wizard will help to connect the app to the streamer. A demonstration mode is also available to assist clients in getting started.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/phonak-remotecontrol/id938710390?mt=8
