iPad adaptations for students who are deaf or hard of hearing

First thing is first, lets look at some ways to make our iPad more user friendly for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The iPad has many adaptations that can be made to make it easier for students who are deaf and hard of hearing to access the device. 

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Face Time

FaceTime is a phone calling app that features video and works through Wi-Fi internet connection. It is very similar to Skype as it uses video to relay messages. FaceTime is ideal for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing because a user can easily observe facial expressions, gesture, and communicate using American Sign Language or lip reading.  FaceTime can also be used to make and receive video relay and text relay calls. Below is a tutorial on how to set up face time on your iPad.

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Volume adjustments

Users are able to adjust the volume  on an iPad. To do so follow the steps below:

1. Touch settings icon on Home screen
2. Click general settings tap sounds
3. Drag the slider bar to the right to increase the volume and to left to lower it 
4. Touch home button to close settings
5. 

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Notes

Notes is an app that comes standard on your iPad. It can be used to type and record notes in class. Create new notes, review notes previously created, search for notes, save notes, delete them, and email them! Teachers can use this app to document instructions or directs for students to complete. Click create new note and the on screen keyboard will pop up. Compose your note and save it! The video posted below is an app tutorial. 

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Closed Captioning - The iPad  supports the playback of open captions, closed captions, and subtitling. The captions appear onscreen, just like on TV. 

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Visual Alerts

Some apps such as mail, app store, and skype on the iPad have visual alerts for the user. Visual alerts are also appear with time, date, wi-fi function, and battery life.

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Mono Audio

To improve your listening experience when using headphones, turn on Mono Audio. When Mono Audio is turned on, iPad plays all sounds in both ears.

1. Click on the Settings icon
2. Navigate to  General settings
   Click Accessibility.
3. Click the Mono Audio On/Off button to turn on the feature.
   
   Mono Audio is turned on.
4.  Touch on  the Home button to close Settings.

Audio book appreciation month

One of this  month's observances in audio book appreciation month. I would like to take this time to post all the resources that I have about all audio books. So sit back, relax and peruse some of these awesome audio book sites. 

• Online Storytime by Barnes & Noble - Barnes & Noble

• Free Audio Books - Download an audio book in mp3 or iPod format today!

• National Geographic Young Explorer (Student Magazine) - January-February 2011

• Free Library of Philadelphia

• Signed Stories Home Page - ITV Signed Stories

• Kiddie Records Weekly

• Bookshare - Accessible Books for Individuals with Print Disabilities

• AudibleKids - Audio Books for Kids

• Storynory: Free Audio Stories for Kids

VI apps

Here are some more fun apps for students who are visually impaired 

Name	Description
MusicDrawFree	MusicDrawFree is a great tool for practicing music and cause and effect.
Draw Music Monadpad	Draw pictures and create sounds on this unique musical instrument.
Easy Calc Talking free	A talking calculator, with large buttons
Talking Clock	Speaks out the time to you depending on the mode you set
Anny eReader	Just download your book from your computer or internet and enjoy.

fun apps for students who are visually imparied

Name	Website	Description
vBookz	http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vbookz-free-audiobooks-30/id366703930?mt=8	Read out loud from over 30,00 classic books for free
LookTel Money Reader	http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id417476558	Recognizes currency and speaks the denomination, enabling people with visual impairments or blindness to quickly and easily identify and count bills.
VizWiz	http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id439686043	Take a picture with the phone, speak a question, and then receive multiple spoken answers.
Talking Clock Digital	http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/talking-clock-digital/id336368267?mt=8	This app announces the time, day and date. The time, day and date fill the screen both horizontally or vertically.

Apps to teach braille

Here are some fun apps to teach others how to use and learn about the braille alphabet and numbers! 

Bumps BrailleGuide - Learn the Braille Alphabet in a fun and easy way


Braille  - Browse the Braille table, or take simple quiz for writing and reading Braille.





LearnBraille Alphabet  - This application can teach beginners the standard Braille language alphabet. Select from four fun lessons.


BrailleAlphabet Board -  Learn all about Braille letters and numbers with this app

Terrific text to speech apps

Below are some terrific text to speech applications for some favorite mobile devices. 

Below are some magnificent magnification apps for students