Smartphones today have already become a part of our necessity. We are inseparable from our phones, and the visually impaired ones among us are no different either.
It may appear on the hindsight that smartphones, being based on the touchscreen UI technology, stress more on the use of vision rather than sound. Yes; it’s definitely true from the logical point of view, but at the same time, it doesn’t mean that it cannot aid the visually impaired learners in any way whatsoever.
A number of smartphone apps and tools are available in the market today that can actually help to educate visually impaired learners in the best possible manner (and sometimes, way beyond your expectation). Here, have a look.
1. VoiceOver (Can be found ONLY in iOS devices)
If you have an iPhone or an iPad, you would be able to use this exclusive feature to your advantage (this feature’s present ONLY in iOS devices; Android devices have no such option, in particular).
Here’s how you can activate it in a jiffy:
• Go to Settings.
• And then go to Accessibility.
• There you should see the “VoiceOver” option in a default switched off condition. Toggle it on.
Here, take a peek at the video below.
The VoiceOver option of your iPhone/iPad is a nifty little tool indeed, especially for visually impaired learners. It reads out everything (which is inclusive of the likes of menus, icons, emails, Twitter feed, Web pages, etc.) touched on the screen of your phone in precise detail such that even a kid can understand it in a jiffy.
The built-in voice feature can be accessed in thirty language, which is another benefit in itself.
Anyway, if you want to go through another short video to see a blind child using his iPad through the aid of the iOS VoiceOver feature, here’s one for you:
2. List Recorder (Made for iOS devices, in particular)
Available for free on iTunes for iOS downloads.
List Recorder iOS app icon
The List Recorder iOS app is primarily used for the creation of lists, in general, but, at the same time, it can also be used for learning purposes, especially when visually impaired learners are concerned of all.
This app can be used by students to organize any kind of information they want by breaking them down into lists to aid in mnemonic memorizations.
It is true that this app is primarily connected with the creation of lists, in particular, but at the same time, it is also true that it does have the necessary features to support multimedia, and more importantly, audio files, in particular.
Now here’s the best part: You don’t need your eyes to create, organize, or find lists. A simple combination of audio, coupled with gestures and custom motions (which are inclusive of the likes of the tilt and swipe motions) is enough for this purpose of yours.
So you can very well see that visually impaired learners can definitely benefit a lot from this app, in particular, only if they are aware of the ways to use it to their advantage. And did we forget to say that this app doesn’t even cost a dime?
3. Audible (Made for both Android and iOS devices)
Available for free on iTunes and Google play for iOS and Android downloads.
Audible app icon
Podcasts are definitely an excellent way to learn new materials (via audio). But for those who prefer to go through whole books on their mobile devices, Audible’s the perfect app for them.
Students can carry Audible on their mobile devices to listen to books whenever they want, wherever they are. All they will need is a working internet connection, and that’s it.
P.S. Most of the teaching experts at LearnPick also recommend this app for lessons and courses.
4. Audio Exam Player (Made for iOS devices, in particular)
Available for free on iTunes for iOS downloads.
Audio exam player app
Through the aid of this app, students will be able to download exams to their phones and have the phone read out questions to them without the intervention of a third helping hand.
This helps to save awkwardness and time, freeing up students to formulate the best answers of the lot instead of just trying to sound out the words of the question. If this isn’t a benefit, what is?
That’s it for now then folks. Hope you had a good and productive read.
