[Trainer-talk] Apps I recommend

[Julie A Adkins]

A couple of people have asked in recent months for app recommendations. I'm sorry, I cannot recall who it was that was working on a list. Maureen McDuffy, maybe??  

Overall, I refer consumers to the Apple Vis website as the "big daddy" resource for information on apps. Nothing else seems to stay updated.  I also advise them to subscribe to an email listserv so they can find out for themselves from other consumers what apps are popular. I follow the idevice listserv. But here is my list of recommended apps:

No color detector apps are really any good that I know of.  The AppleVis website reviews several, but I have tried many of them to no avail.  

TextGrabber for OCR.

KNFB Reader app only if someone is completely blind. And really I still would try TextGrabber with a phone stand.  It is so much easier to use. 

BARD of course, and other ones if they apply, such as Read2Go and NFB Newsline. 

Readability is great if people read on multiple devices. They can reformat text and pick up reading anywhere. I like to have it on their PC so they can reformat articles like Safari Reader on the iPhone or iPad.  

Pocket is a reading app also (you send your articles to it to read them in there), and it has a great “reader” built into it that is like a combination of using the Reader in Safari and also the Speak Screen feature, so it would be great for iPad (low vision) users. 

YouVersion Bible app for bible readers.

Pandora for music (though I see that people on listservs use Ootunes a lot and several other ones). I just happen to be familiar with Pandora and I know it totally works with VoiceOver. 

Dropbox for anyone with major file management needs. 

Sometimes I teach Word (again, only for someone with major file management needs).

AccessNote app for anyone working or going to college. 

Netflix (since they have audio description). 

Tap Tap See

Be My Eyes

RedLaser is still the best barcode/QR code reader I have found

Downcast for podcasts. Consumers like this one because you can speed up the audio. 

iBlink Radio for learning more about the iPhone

AFB AccessWorld 

Vision Connect 

iDevices connects up to a grill thermometer and some other stuff. This is for super techy people. 

Blind Bargains

EyeNote for identifying money (if the person doesn't use Tap Tap See). 

Amazon for general online shopping

I love the Time Warner Cable app and the PBS app for iPad users.  Any TV provider has an app where you can see the Guide, change channels right there, control your DVR, watch TV on the iPad, etc. TV channels have apps, too, like HBO, Showtime, etc.  (I had to work with a guy who was majorly into TV, can you tell??).

MagLightPro for anyone with low vision.   Also Brighter Bigger for some folks. 

Voice Dream Reader, Voice Dream Writer, Voice Dream Mail (these are more for non Voice Over users or people who use both VO and vision). 

Voice Dream Reader is excellent for low vision iPad users.  You can customize it so much and block out all but one line of text like using a typoscope.    

Look for apps for your local transportation system (bus, paratransit, light rail, etc.). The Uber app is completely accessible with VoiceOver. 

On listservs I see people use Blindsquare a lot.  Sounds like people use a combination of a few main mobility apps.  Since I am not blind, I am not sure why one would not just use the built in Maps app. 

I just have a basic app on my phone that I show people called AroundMe that shows banks, gas stations, restaurants, hospitals, and so on that are nearby. 

Hopefully that helps. 

Julie Adkins
Assistive Technology Trainer