Appsolutely Engaging and Educational - Part 1: Using iPad Apps with Children with Visual Impairments and Additional Disabilities

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Presented by Eric Jerman, Orientation and Mobility Specialist

This one-hour webinar offers strategies, tips and techniques for using an iPad with students who are visually impaired and may have additional disabilities. The presentation offers suggestions on how to select apps and how to address issues of motor coordination in enabling a child with physical challenges to access them.

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This webinar is the first part of a two-part presentation. Check out Appsolutely Engaging and Educational – Part 2 »

Many of these apps are also suitable for children with CVI (Cortical Visual Impairment). Apps are divided into the following categories:

  • Cause and effect
  • Read-To-Me Stories
  • Music and Sounds
  • Communication
  • Accessibility
  • Specialty Apps for Users Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Read more about Eric Jerman on Accessible Apps »

Learning Goals and Objectives

Upon completion of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Learn how to make better decisions about which apps to purchase for your students or children.
  • Learn to separate each app into one of six categories while browsing through the App Store, instead of sifting haphazardly through the over 500,000 iPhone and iPad apps now available.
    • Categories include: cause & effect; read-to-me books; music; communication; accessibility, and specialty apps for users who are blind or have low vision.
  • Learn to think of the motor coordination needed to access apps (finger-touch, touch-and-hold, finger-swipe, speaking, etc.).

 

PRESENTER SUMMARY:
Eric Jerman is an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, who has a boy with cortical visual impairment (CVI). While spending two years as a stay-at-home dad with his son, Jake, Eric explored the use of the iPad as a tool to assist his son with communication, education, and entertainment.

Eric has presented on the topic of iPad Apps at parent support groups; an annual workshop of educators and parents; Children's Hospital, Boston; A.E.R.'s regional technology conference; and has been training low vision teachers on the use of iPad Apps at Perkins School for the Blind, in Watertown. Eric also writes iPad app reviews for Perkins WonderBaby.org.

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Have a question? Contact Perkins.eLearning@perkins.org

Online Learning Consortium award recipient.