Resources for the Educational Use of iPads

Submitted by Charlotte Cushman on Aug 22, 2013

Updated on May 2022

Using iPads can be an important educational tool with children who are blind or have a visual impairment, including those who are deafblind or who have multiple disabilities. This post includes ideas for using an iPad as an assessment tool, research on using an iPad compared to a lightbox for vision stimulation, webinars, best apps (applications), and information on accessibility.

Research and Educational Tools

Infant & Early Childhood Program iPad Curriculum
Laura Campaña and staff from Junior Blind demonstrate how our Infant & Early Childhood Specialists use iPad tablets and applications during in-home early intervention services provided to young children who are blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled. This is available as a DVD.

The iPad as an Informal Assessment Tool (Part 1 of 2)
Gloria Rodriguez-Gil of California Deaf-Blind Services shares ideas on assessment.

iPad, iPod, iPhone – iTechnology and apps that have been used successfully with individuals with deafblindness or with visual impairments and additional disabilities
Linda Mamer, Deafblind Consultant (British Columbia) shares a how-to paper, with sample observational sheets, sample observational sheets that have been filled in, and a list of current apps. The iPad is viewed as an observational or assessment tool to gather information, visually, auditorially, tactually, to be able to design individualized communication systems based on the child's responses.

Posts on Paths to Literacy related to iPads
http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/search/node/ipad

Using the iPad as an Assessment Tool ( (Part 2 of 2)
http://www.cadbs.org/news/gloria-more-on-using-the-ipad-as-an-assessment-tool/
Gloria Rodriguez-Gil of California Deaf-Blind Services shares the second part of her ideas on using the iPad as an assessment tool with students who are deafblind.

Using the iPad and a Sequence of Apps for Young Children with Multiple Disabilities
http://www.cadbs.org/newsletter/resources-fall-2012/

Webinars

iExploration: Using an iPad for Vision Stimulation
http://www.perkinselearning.org/webinar/iexploration-using-ipad-vision-stimulation
This webinar by Laura Campaña from Junior Blind presents an in-depth view of how the iPad can be used to provide vision stimulation to young children with varying degrees of visual impairments, including those with significant additional disabilities. Download the handout from the webinar.

iOS Accessibility for Users Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
http://www.perkins.org/resources/webinars/
Jim Denham, Assistive Technology Specialist at Perkins, discusses iOS Accessibility features, including VoiceOver including commonly used gestures and options.

Using iPads and Applications (Apps) with Children, Youth and Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind
http://www.cadbs.org/news/gloria-webinar-on-using-ipads-and-applications-apps-with-children-who-are-deaf-blind/
Gloria Rodriguez-Gil of California Deaf-Blind Services presents this webinar.

Accessibility Features of the iPad

iPad: Accessibility for Vision – General information about VoiceOver
https://www.apple.com/accessibility/vision/

Braille Displays for iOS
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/braille-display.html

Applications (Apps)

The resources below include suggestions for teaching skills such as:

increasing visual attention
developing an understanding of cause and effect
directed reach and motor control
eye-hand coordination
visual tracking
communication
special apps for children with CVI (Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment) using preferred colors, movement, light

Apps and Resources for Young Children with Special Needs (CA Deafblind Services)
http://www.cadbs.org/news/gloria-apps-and-resources-for-young-children-with-special-needs/

iPad App Reviews and Articles (WonderBaby.org)
http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/ipad-apps

iPad Apps from Thomas Marshall Does It All
http://thomasmarshalldoesitall.blogspot.com/p/ipad-app-info.html?m=1

Using the iPad with Students with Deafblindness, or My Adventure with the Shiny New Toy!
https://www.tsbvi.edu/attachments/newsletter/summer12.pdf#page=22
This article by TVI Jamie Wheeler describes various iPad apps that are effective for children who are deafblind or who are blind or visually impaired with additional disabilities.

Using the iPad with Students with CVI (Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairemt) with an app list

Here is another list of favorite iPad games and activities from Seeing Sadie and CVI.

Our Favorite Apps!