There are so many apps available now, that it can be very overwhelming and time consuming to find just the right app for your student. The apps that you will find here are those that I have used myself, or have seen featured at conferences. Being frugal by nature, I like to use the free apps! Of course with the free apps, you frequently have to put up with the pop-up ads that can be very annoying not to mention distracting when working with a student! The free version is nice, however, in that it allows you to "sample' the app and determine if it is something you or your student would enjoy and is worth purchasing.
Many of the paid apps are just a couple of dollars. The more complex apps, particularly the communication apps, can be very costly. It would be advisable to consult with the assistive technology specialist to determine the appropriateness and usefulness of the more costly apps to determine if it meets the students unique learning needs. Below are links to pages that contain apps that are either great for use with students with visual impairments OR have been developed specifically for persons who are blind or have low vision. I have also included links to websites that feature and review the latest apps.
Free. AccessWorld is the official app of the American Foundation for the Blind's online publication AccessWorld. AccessWorld is an online magazine dedicated to technology and people with vision loss.
AppleVisis a community-powered website for users of Apple devices who are blind or have low-vision. AppleVis reviews and features apps and also provides guides and tutorials.
Free. Blind Bargains is a source of the latest deals and news for the blind and visually impaired. Browse the latest deals and classifieds. Listen to the latest audio podcasts.
Free. With Dragon Search you can search the web by voice commands! For example, dictate “google” and the app takes you to google’s search page!
*Free (monthly subscription is $9.99). The Earl app lets you use your voice to open a newspaper and have it read to you. Double-tap the screen, speak a few commands and read articles from 250 plus newspapers from around the world.
Free Stitcher Radio allows you to create your own playable station of all your favorite content. News, music and podcasts are organized to listen to seamlessly like Pandora Radio.