I frequently get emails from people who ask for an iPad, iPhone, or an iPod Touch for their family member who has a communication disorder. Having to say “no” to these worthy families really sucks and I haven’t had any decent list to point them at until now. So here’s a comprehensive list of groups that I know of who are currently accepting applications as of April 2011. Please read the notes at the bottom of the list, and use your common sense when contacting anybody or giving them your details.
This list is for groups specifically distributing iPads, iPhones and iPod touches for communication purposes.
Also please remember, iPads and iPhones and iTouches are great but they are not the right solution for everybody. If you are not already working with a speech pathologist (SLP) and perhaps an occupational therapist as well then the first thing you need to do is consult these people (if your child is at school then ask your special education department about this). A speech therapist can evaluate your child’s abilities and needs and can often organise trials of different devices for your child. Blindly spending a lot of money on an iPad – which might not be usable or helpful to your child – is a gamble which might backfire badly, so I definitely recommend that you consult the experts on this one.
All information on this list comes from the program websites. I have not personally verified any of this information.
iPads can be wonderful communication tool
The blog Apps 4 Children With Special Needs is giving an iPad away to a family in need every time $500 is raised.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: One iPad distributed (March 2011), published waiting list lists 50+ people.
Program location: Location unknown
Further information: iPads 4U
Babies with iPads is granting iPads as funds allow.
Who can apply: Applicants must be residents of western virginia, USA, with a child under 60 months old. Further details on website.
Program’s history: One iPad distributed
Program location: Western Virginia, USA
Further information: Babies with iPads grant application eligibility requirements
The Conover Company is a software development company, focussing on assessment and training software for both companies and the educational area. One of their product areas is iPhone and iPad apps for special education, including life skills, literacy skills, social skills and work skills. The company has established the Conover Mobile Technology Grant to promote the use of mobile technology and Conover Company apps to improve individuals’ ability to function independently in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities
Who can apply: Website specifies “Individuals, parents, caretakers, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, private organizations and public organizations.” Application form implies but doesn’t specify that applicants are USA-based.
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Wisconsin, USA
Further information: Conover Mobile Technology Grant
Danny’s Wish is committed to providing life enhancing resources and experiences for children and families dealing with autism and autism spectrum disorders. Their goal for this campaign is to raise $50,000 to supply approximately 100 iPads to those children affected and in need the most.
Who can apply: Recipient must be a USA resident with an official autism spectrum diagnosis and be nonverbal or minimally verbal. Gross income of family below US$100k.
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: New York, USA
Further information: Danny’s Wish
The HollyRod Foundation introduced the “Give the Gift of Voice” campaign in 2010 to provide iPads to give a voice to those without. To date, HollyRod has given away more iPads for communication for Autism than any other organization. Over 100 individuals ranging in age from 3 to 32 across 27 states can now make their voice heard. It is our commitment to continue this program so that every individual with Autism has a voice.
Who can apply: Not currently accepting applications
Program location: USA
Program’s history: Over 100 iPads distributed
Further information: The HollyRod Foundation
iHelp for Special Needs is dedicated to help raise funds for children with special needs to receive iPads and relevant apps to assist with communication, life skills, and social skills. The group helps parents and groups to raise funds for themselves, and supplements these funds.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program location: Texas, USA
Program’s history: One iPad distributed (December 2010)
Further information: iHelp for Special Needs
iPads4irishautism (previously “I Want My iPhone For Autism”) refurbish and redistribute used iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches. This program is run by Lisa Domican, who also develops the Grace AAC app.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Ireland
Further information: iPads4irishautism
The iTaalk Autism Foundation refurbishes used iPhones and similar devices and distributes these to children with Autism.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Ohio, USA
Further information: iTaalk Autism Foundation
Loud Mommy Ministries is specifically designed to provide support for mothers who have to be advocates for their autistic children. One of our goals as a not for profit ministry is to raise money for iPads for non-verbal children, autistic or apraxic.
Who can apply: No information specified
Program’s history: No devices distributed yet
Program location: Illinois, USA
Further information: Loud Mommy iPad Application
The Puzzling Piece are running an iPad challenge. You sell 60 pieces of their puzzle-piece autism jewellery (at US$20 each) and they will send you a brand new iPad. The Puzzling Piece is run by a couple who have an autistic son.
Who can apply: Site implies parents and teachers, but no limits specified
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: Florida, USA
Further information: The Puzzling Piece iPad Challenge
Small Steps In Speech has a mission to help children with speech and/or language disorders take the steps needed to be better communicators. This is achieved through grants and donations to service providers and qualifying charitable organisations.
Who can apply: Applicant must be USA based and under 22 years of age.
Program’s history: No history known
Program location: New Jersey, USA
Further information: Small Steps In Speech Grant Application
Turning Views Foundation’s Gift a Voice Project also goes by the wonderful moniker “Different Iz Good”. Their mission is to provide speech generating devices (SGD) to children and adults with communication disabilities for communication purposes, to guide affected individuals in making a career or entrepreneur path and to advocate for those that are different due to disabilities.
Who can apply: Applicant must be USA based. No restrictions based on age or diagnosis but must have financial need. Priority given to applicants based in Nevada.
Program’s history: Two devices have been distributed, four more are about to be.
Program location: Nevada, USA
Further information: Turning Views Foundation’s Gift a Voice Project
All information on this list comes from the program websites. I have not personally verified any of this information – that’s up to you.
Note that Apple themselves do not donate devices to anybody, to the best of my knowledge, and are very unlikely to start doing so.
I think that if you need a device for somebody and can’t afford it, your best bet is probably not to apply to these sites – their waiting lists are already very long. In my opinion, you’re most likely to have luck with raising money on your own – suggestions on Squidilicious’ How To Get Your Kid With Autism That Wonderful iPad and On A Tight Budget: 7 Ways To Get An iPad For Your Child With Special Needs.
If you have further information please leave me a comment.
- Ricky Buchanan
AppleVis is a website by and for blind and vision-impaired users of Apple devices, primarily iOS device users but including some resources for Mac OS X users. The focus is on VoiceOver users but there are some resources for other blind users who use zooming to access devices too.
Like all dictation-capable text-to-speech products, MacSpeech Dictate works very well for some people and very badly for others. Whether it will work for you depends on many things including: how much effort you’re willing to put into learning it, how good your microphone is, your age (text to speech usually works less well for children), how much your accent matches what the program expects, and whether your voice changes a lot through the day.
Quite often on Apple’s Universal Access forums there are questions from users who have found that their computer’s suddenly started talking to them, and putting a black box around whatever they’re working on.
Today Mac OS X 10.7, named Lion, became available to users. You can download Lion for just US$29 and Lion will run on most Intel-based Mac computers.
Most “standard” computer games get harder because they get faster, relying on the player’s reflexes and coordination keeping up. For example, in Tetris the blocks appear and drop faster and faster as your level increases:
