Young man student with Down syndrome using mobile phone and listening to the music on city street
For those living with disability, everyday tasks like making a bed or grocery shopping can be a little bit more challenging. However, advancements in technology mean a new frontier of assisted living and support is more accessible than ever before.
Currently, there is a booming trend in mobile application development, gamification (the application of ‘game-playing’ to make a product, or app fun) and educational apps helping those living with disability live a more independent life.
As there is an overwhelming array of apps on the market, we have compiled a list of some of the very best for both Apple and Android users – helping you find the one that best suits your needs.
Best Disability Apps of 2020
1. Choiceworks
What it does: Choiceworks is a visual learning tool that can help you complete daily routines, understand feelings and improve waiting skills by creating a visual schedule using your own photos, videos and audio recordings. It’s great for breaking down multi-step tasks and routines.
Available on: iOS only
Cost: $14.90
2. Rogervoice
What it does: Rogervoice enables people with hearing impairments to have real-time conversations on the phone, by converting speech to subtitles.
Cost: Free
3. Wheelmap
What it does: Wheelmap is a map for finding wheelchair accessible places. Working similar to Wikipedia, anyone can contribute and mark public places around the world according to their wheelchair accessibility.
Cost: Free
4. iDo Chores
What it does: iDo Chores teaches children with special needs how to conduct daily tasks and chores around the house from sweeping, making a bed and washing dishes. This app is only available on iPads.
Available on: iOS
Cost: Free
5. Avaz
What it does: Avaz is designed to make speech therapy more effective for children with autism, Down Syndrome or cerebral palsy, as well as improve their intent to communicate.
Cost: $14.99 per month
6. Medisafe Pill Reminder
What it does: Pill Alert is like a personal assistant who makes sure you take your meds on time. Enter the schedules and it will remind you to take your medications, and it also keeps track of everything in a personalised log.
Cost: Free
7. Be My Eyes
What it does: Be My Eyes connects visually impaired people to a network of sighted volunteers.
Cost: Free
8. Glide
What it does: Glide is the world’s first live video messaging app and was originally designed for the mainstream hearing user but quickly rose in popularity with the deaf community as an incredibly useful tool as it combines the convenience of texting with the expressiveness of video chat.
Cost: Free
9. Sunny
What it does: Sunny is 1800RESPECT’s app for women with a disability who have experienced violence and abuse. Sunny has been co-designed with women with disabilities to make sure it provides the very best support for the people who use it.
Cost: Free
10. BlindSquare
What it does: BlindSquare is the world’s most widely used accessible GPS-app developed for the blind, deafblind and partially sighted. Paired with third-party navigation apps, BlindSquare’s self-voicing app provides safe, reliable travel both outside and inside.
Available on: iOS
Cost: $62.99
11. Otsimo
What it does: Otsimo is a certified and awarded educational game developed for individuals diagnosed with learning disorders, attention deficit, autism, down syndrome, aspergers, and other special needs. Otsimo aims to teach fundamental education about core skills such as words, alphabet, numbers, emotions and more through assistive games.
Cost: Free
Technology is giving those living with disability the chance to expand and grow in all facets of life and ultimately, live more independently.
These apps are a simple way for individuals to participate in new activities and learn new skills, allowing them to grow in confidence and improve upon their mental and physical well-being.
We hope these apps inspire you to get the most out of life. For a round-up of the best apps from 2019, head here.
About Zest
Zest Personalised Care is a registered provider of NDIS disability support services with two decades of experience in the care industry. Please get in touch for information about how we can partner with individuals to achieve their goals.