Teens and Technology: Apps You Should Check Out

Teens with disabilities can use apps to monitor and improve their health. Apps are a great way to encourage them to take care of themselves. 

According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center (Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015), 24% of all teens go online "constantly"—usually via a smartphone.  

Teens with disabilities have plenty of options for apps that will help them in ways that work for them. These apps can promote independence. 

One such app is Talkitt. It helps people who have motor, speech, and language disorders. The Talkitt app translates indistinct diction into clear speech, allowing people to communicate using their own voice. The technology behind the app is brilliant. By recognizing each individual user’s vocal patterns, it “speaks” their words—allowing them to communicate clearly and easily. The app translates in every language!

The Be My Eyes app connects people who are blind or have vision impairments and are in need of assistance with sighted volunteers who want to help out via direct video connection. Be My Eyes is available for IPhone and Android. The app can be used in a variety of situations, for example, a person who is blind might need help checking the expiration date on a milk carton or making their way around new surroundings. They enter a request for assistance and the volunteer gets a notification that the person who is blind could use some help.  

Finally, Avaz is an app for children with nonverbal autism and other speech difficulties. This app enables children to “speak” using pictures in a variety of situations. For example, the app can be used in speech therapy sessions, on a day-to-day basis to develop language, and to stimulate and improve the intent to communicate. The app uses picture symbols and high-quality voice blending to help non-verbal users create messages and improve language skills. The best part is that it has a powerful keyboard that helps users transition to text as the child grows and develops.

As you start looking for apps, you will find many that can make life a little easier for your child. 

You can find additional information on this website under Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment.