The list below is comprised of helpful applications and technologies that can help increase self-reliance for people with various disabilities and diagnoses. These are designed to be an added support in people’s pursuit of a rewarding life. This list was compiled by professional Behavior Support Specialists who recommend these applications.
To view the specific application’s website, click on the corresponding photo.
Communication
EESpeech Basic AAC
Ability to provide basic communication including texting to talk
Cost: Free
Inference Ace
Reading comprehension, inferential reading and language geared towards children grades 2-5
Cost: Free
Inference Clues: Lite
Reading comprehension, inferential reading and language geared towards children grades 2-5
Cost: Lite is free, prices vary for more advanced levels
Inference Jones Level 1: Lite
Reading comprehension, inferential reading and language geared towards children ages 8-11
Cost: Lite is free, prices vary for more advanced levels
Longwalks: Start a Conversation
Journal and conversation menu based on topics
Cost: Free
Preposition Builder
Teaches prepositions using picture cues
Cost: Free
SoundingBoard
Provides a variety of communication boards, you can also make custom boards with your own pictures and voice recording
Cost: Free
Proloquo2go: Augmentative Alternative Communication Application
Symbol-supported communication. Beginning to advanced communicators
Cost: $219.99-$249.99
Social Skill Development
Life Skills: What Do You Say?
Uses difficult social scenarios and how to respond to others through providing choices of responses
Cost: Free
Social Skills Builder Lite
School aged targets teaching social interaction at school
Cost: $0.99
Conversation Therapy
Uses a picture to help initiate and create conversation starters
Cost: Free (lite) or $19.99
Social Story App
Set of 15 pre-written social stories and can create and print your own
Cost: Free or $30
Coping Skills, Relaxation and Sensory
Calm
Meditation application which focuses on targeted guided meditation
Cost: Free
Calm Harm
Used to help manage urges to self-harm
Cost: Free
Feelings Diary
Mood diary with lock
Cost: Free
Fluidity
Visual interactive colors controlled by fingertips
Cost: Free
Headspace
Guided meditation, with daily reminders and tracking
Cost: Free
My Coping Plan
Create personalized copings, however not recommended if person has a habit of calling emergency services in unnecessary cases
Cost: Free
Relax Melodies: Sleep Sounds
Relaxing music and white noise
Cost: Free
Stop, Breathe, Think
Meditation for calm and sleep
Cost: Free
Too Noisy Starter
Displays graphically the noise levels in a room
Cost: Free
Visual Timer
Visual countdown timer
Cost: Free
Voice Meter Pro
Helps children and adults control the volume of their own voice
Cost: Free (?)
Bloom
Visual touch screen paired with music, will match mood and sleep timer
Cost: $3.99
Let’s Learn Emotions Pro
Comes with flashcards and four interactive games to teach emotions and discuss emotions
Cost: $3.99
Mindful Powers
Teaches children mindfulness to respond to stressful situations
Cost: Free-$4.99
Reflectly
Feelings journal that uses psychology, mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy to build positive habits
Cost: Free trial. After trial costs vary from $47.99-$59.99
Independent Skills
Talking Tom or Angela
Virtual Pet that teaches self-care, will also repeat what you say, which is fun for those who like to converse
Cost: Free
Color Name AR
Will identify the color through a photo
Cost: Free-$0.99
Letter Quiz
Sensory tracing letters (for younger kids)
Cost: $1.99
Number Quiz
Sensory tracing numbers (for younger kids)
Cost: $1.99
Daniel Tiger’s Stop and Go Potty
Develop potty training skills
Cost: $2.99
ChoiceBoard-Creator
App to create customizable choice boards
Cost: $3.99
iDay
Set alarms throughout the day for different tasks
Cost: $4.99
My Routine Schedule
Creates customized routines using pictures. Timer for each step in the routine is also included
Cost: $4.99
Choiceworks
Learning tool for helping children complete daily routines
Cost: $6.99
First Then Visual Schedule
Helps you create visual supports such as the first then boards, visual schedules, task analysis, social stories, choice boards and video models
$14.99
Everyday Skills
Uses video modeling to teach daily living skills
Cost: $29.99
Blind Square App
Navigation system for those who are blind. Controlled through voice command and will notify where you are and what’s around you
Cost: $39.99
Board Maker
Software that lets you create communication boards, sequences and schedules using symbols
Cost: $399.00
Autism Apps by Touch Autism
A comprehensive list of apps that are being used with and by people diagnosed with autism, down syndrome and other special needs
Cost: Prices vary
Smart Home Technologies
There are three major smart home applications that your smart devices may be compatible with: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. A brief description of each app is provided below.
With the Home app, you can easily and securely control your HomeKit accessories from all your Apple devices. Turn off the lights, see who’s at the front door, adjust your living room temperature, turn up the music, and so much more. Exclusively compatible with iOS Apple devices. [taken from Apple website]
*Automatically installed on Apple products
Alexa is Amazon’s cloud-based voice service available on more that 100 million devices from Amazon and third-party device manufacturers. With Alexa, you can build natural voice experiences that offer customers a more intuitive way to interact with technology they use every day. Compatible with Amazon, iOS Apple, and Android products. [taken from Amazon website]
Your Google Assistant is ready to help when and where you need it. Manage your schedule, get help with everyday tasks, control smart home devices, enjoy your entertainment, and much more. Exclusively compatible with Android products.
Just start with: “Hey Google” [content taken from Google advertising]
Smart Home Devices
The cloud-connected assistive device provides users with control of their smart devices and environment through wheelchair driving controls and ability switches from manufacturers like AbleNet.
tecla-e empowers individuals with physical disabilities who cannot independently use smartphones, tablets, computers or smart home technology with touchscreens and keyboards. This includes those with limited upper-body mobility resulting from spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, ALS, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, or stroke. [content taken from tecla site]
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
*Cost: tecla-e $499.00
*Other adaptive technologies available on website (prices vary)
Voice-assistant smart home system. It understands voice commands to assist you in searching the Web, creating to-do lists, shopping online, and controlling smart-home products.
Most popular Amazon technologies:
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
Cost: Prices range from $24.99-$189.99
The August Smart Lock is a device that attaches to the deadbolt on your door. It’s compatible with a variety of deadbolts (but doesn’t work with mortise locks or sliding glass doors). It contains a small motor which turns the deadbolt, locking or unlocking your door. Using Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi with the Connect add-on, you can control the lock within your home or from anywhere in the world. The August app features a large red/green button to lock and unlock your door. This makes it simple to use even if you have limited hand coordination. [content taken from Karin Willison, “The Mighty”]
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
Cost: Smart Lock $119.00-$179.00; Smart Lock Pro $229.00; Doorbell Cam Pro $199.00; August View $229.00
Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener
This smart garage door opener allows you to open and close your garage door from anywhere. Feel more secure at home when you set times for your garage to close and receive alerts when the garage door opens and closes. You control your garage door with your smartphone, Wi-Fi and any compatible garage door opener. [content taken from Amazon product description]
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
Cost: $19.98-$49.98
The Ring Doorbell works with most smart home devices and will alert you via motion detection when a visitor is at your door. You will be able to see, hear and/or speak to visitors from your phone, tablet and P.C.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
Cost: $99.00-$499.00
These smart plugs are reliable and compatible with all three major smart home systems. Wi-Fi enabled wall plug lets you control small appliances using 1800 watts or under. It’s great for controlling lights, window air conditioners, fans, portable heaters, coffeemakers, microwaves, home audio systems and more. [taken from product information on Amazon]
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
Cost: $29.99
These power strips are perfect for powering and controlling lights or any other devises that can be linked to your smart devices.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
Cost: $38.99-$41.99
Smart Light Bulbs
These are a must if you want to control your lights with assistive technology. Here are a few options to choose from:
VOCOlinc (compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant)
Cost: $15.99-$18.99/1; $29.99/2 pack
Sengled (compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant)
Cost: $7.99-$21.24/1; $33.99/2 pack; $33.14-$48.01/4 pack
Kasa (compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant)
Cost: $16.99/1; $49.99/4 pack
Philips(Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant)
Cost: $99.97/4 pack
The Ecobee thermostat is compatible with HomeKit, Alexa and Google Home. It has room sensors, which will record the temperature and allows you to set the system based on the temperature of the individual room, instead of one central area.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
Cost: $189.99
This smart vacuum is compatible with all smart home technologies. You can set it to clean at whatever times you choose. Ideal for people with mobility issues.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
Cost: $199.99-$299.99
Additional Resources
The easterseals’ Assistive Technology Center provides assistive technology, equipment and services to individuals with disabilities.
Click the easterseals logo above to learn more about their program designed for Hoosiers with various disabilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX0CPAN9CKchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQtG7859LzY
The video above was created by the N.E.A.T. Center and provides an overview about smart home technology for people with disabilities. Click the arrow to play. Closed captioning available.
