GAAD: Apple Software Updates Designed for People with Disabilities

    Global Accessibility Awareness Day, GAAD, is a day dedicated to focusing on digital access and inclusion for the more than one billion people with disabilities and impairments. It is celebrated annually and highlights that accessibility is a fundamental right.  

    In line with GAAD, Apple released a preview of several software updates specifically designed for people with disabilities such as SignTime which allows Apple customers and users to remotely access on-demand Sign Language interpreters or an update to the Apple Watch which will allow users to navigate Assistive Touch. Other updates include eye-tracking support for the iPad, exploring images with VoiceOver, new bi-directional hearing aids which enable those who are deaf or hard of hearing to have hands-free phone and FaceTime conversations, the ability to import audiograms to customize the settings within Headphone Accommodations, new background sounds to help minimize distractions, sound actions for Switch Control, more customizable Display and Text Size settings for colorblindness or visual impairments and New Memoji customizations to widen their representation of individuals with varying needs.

To read more about these updates, click the link below to access the full article.

Apple Software Preview Article Link 

Source: Apple, GAAD  

Using the iPad to Support Dyslexia

Source: Call Scotland

The New Periodic Table of iPad Apps (Primary Aged)

Calling All New Englanders.....A Professional Development Opportunity

Click here or on the image of the flyer above to enlarge the details and register!

Friday "Appy" Hour: Snap & Read Universal for iPad

At the recent Everyone Reading conference, I participated in a product presentation session which highlighted two of the Don Johnston products uPAR and Snap and Read Universal, a glimpse into the vast suite of products offered. This prompted me to create this Friday's "Appy" Hour post...because a resource like this is just too good to not share! 

Until recently, Snap and Read was only available as a Google Chrome extension on a PC or Mac. With it's recent release, now iPad and iPhone users will have the same access as PC and Mac users, to listen to printed text read aloud in high quality voices alongside the ability to dynamically level, take images of and listen to worksheets read aloud using OCR (Optical Character Recognition), highlight text and create outlines and notations with citations on webpages and documents alike. Additionally, translations are available in over 100 languages, making this an ideal tool for ELL students.

This brief video provides a comprehensive overview of the features available through Snap and Read Universal for iPad.

To learn more about Snap and Read Universal or any of the other amazing products made by possible by Don Johnston, visit the Don Johnston website. On the website, you can view videos that highlight the specific features available within Snap and Read, such as dynamic text leveling or study tools and outlining in more depth. I am unable to share pricing as it varies on the number of subscribers and accounts created. However, you can request a quote directly on the website if interested. 

Accessibility Features in iOS10

With so many improvements and updates to the latest iOS, this infographic from Call Scotland highlights three, out of the many, improved accessibility features which will provide support to struggling learners. To access a printable version of this infographic click here. 

Source: Call Scotland

Friday "Appy" Hour: GoWorksheet Maker App

Friday "Appy" Hour: 

GoWorksheet Maker iPad App

This incredible app, created by Attainment Company, allows teachers and parents to quickly convert printed worksheets into customizable, interactive activities on an iPad.

Teachers, do you have a stack of printed worksheets in your classroom that you’d love to use, but some of your students struggle with pencil-on-paper activities? Parents, is completing homework with pencil and paper a struggle each night.

GoWorksheet Maker easily solves this problem by converting printed worksheets to customizable digital forms on an iPad. Now all your students or children can read and answer worksheet questions.

GoWorksheet Maker has full editing ability for teachers to use, while GoWorksheet is a free app that students use to work on digital worksheets.

How it works....

• Take a photo of the printed worksheet or open an image or PDF file in the app. 
• Then customize the digital worksheet to your student’s needs.  
• Create text fields, word banks, and drag-and-drop text or image answers.
• Supportive auditory options can also be added to text or image answer choices. 
• The app uses optical character recognition (OCR) and text-to-speech to read selected text aloud. 
• Additional auditory instruction or student prompting can be added. 
• Students answer questions by...
•  selecting from word banks
• typing on a keyboard
• tapping to select from multiple choices
• dictating with Siri
• circling or drawing connecting lines with a draw tool or 
• dragging answer choices.

 

 

GoWorksheets can be shared through AirDrop, email, print, any cloud storage set up on the iPad (Google Drive or Dropbox), or saved to Photos. Once a worksheet is on the iPad, all your students can work with the same classroom material. Requires iOS 9.1 or later.

Features:

• Allows you to customize ANY worksheet by uploading a document or taking a picture with your iPad
• Can automatically convert worksheet text to speech
• Accommodates multiple choice, fill-in-the- blank, and even recorded auditory answers
• Easy storage and sharing of digital worksheets

Cost:

• The app costs $19.99 for a single license
• $75 for 5 licenses
• $200 for 20 licenses
• For bulk purchases or purchases made through MDMs, you can purchase the app through their VPP!

To learn more visit the Attainment Company's website. If you already own this app and are looking for more information, click the link to access the GoWorksheet User Guide!