As teachers return to begin another school year, many people are wondering how to use iPads as an educational tool with children who are blind or visually impaired, 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.
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.
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 Visual Impairment) using preferred colors, movement, light
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
We put together a list of some of our favorite apps.
Download two-page handout: Online Resources for the Educational Use of iPads with Children Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Deafblind.
Original post from 2013 reviewed July 2024
