With thousands and thousands of applications designed to help those with disabilities, it can be incredibly overwhelming to pick which one is going to work the best; however, one website SNapps4Kids.com is working to change that.
Paired with Easter Seals of Greater Houston, parents, therapists, doctors and teachers are sharing information about how to use tablet devices, such as the iPad and Android devices, to help children with special needs.
The website offers a breakdown of how to discover different apps. For instance, if your child needed help with colors and shapes, there is a specific category dedicated to apps that aid in the understanding of colors and shapes, like the iColoring Book and Tappie Colorit.
Along with providing a wealth of information about different apps, SNapps4Kids.com also suggests different organizations that can help fund or grant an iPad to a family who needs one. The following is a brief list of organizations worth a try:
The iTaalk Autism Foundation
http://itaalk.org/application.html
The iTaalk Autism Foundation’s mission is two-fold: granting iOS devices to children with a medical or educational ASD diagnosis; and to educate families, teachers and therapy providers on the educational benefits of using interactive technology with children that have any special needs.
A4cwsn
http://a4cwsn.com/ipad2-4u/
Apps for Children with Special Needs would like to provide iPads to as many families dealing with Special Needs as we possibly can. All you have to do to be eligible is register with A4cwsn, follow us on Twitter and / or Facebook then send us a letter detailing why your family needs an iPad and how it will help you.
Special Kids Therapy (SKT)
http://www.specialkidstherapy.org/forms.php
Special Kids Therapy (SKT) is a non-profit Section 501(c)(3) charity that is dedicated to assisting special health care needs children and their families obtain alternative therapies or necessities that have the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for the child. This “support” is in the form of a scholarship to be used for those therapies or activities that are not funded by public or private insurance, other charities or government agencies.
ACT Today!
http://act-today.org/act-today-grant-program.php
ACT Today! is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness and provide treatment services and support to families to help their children with autism achieve their full potential.
Great minds think alike, because we here at the INDATA Project at Easter Seals Crossroads in Indiana, have compiled a useful list of apps as well! Check out what we have to offer in terms of applications for those who have difficulties with low vision, cognitive, hearing, mobility and/or communication. We are always looking for more, if you have any suggestions or have a favorite app that we are missing, please let us know and submit your apps to nprieto@eastersealscrossroads.org. If you think an iPad is something you might like to try, we offer iPads on loan for you to check out for 30 days.