There have been a plethora of stories in the mainstream news and in blogs about the iPad and the amazing positive effects it’s having for people with various disabilities. Children with autism are the subject of many of these stories, but there are plenty of others who are getting amazing results from their iPads too.
I haven’t been able to keep up with all the stories, but here’s a round-up of some of them. If you know of more, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post:
The Wall Street Journal itself has written about the iPad for people with disabilities: Using the iPad to Connect: Parents, Therapists Use Apple Tablet to Communicate With Special Needs Kids is a great article and includes quotes from Steve Jobs and also a video showing some use of the iPad:
Making weird cool – Robert Rummel-Hudson talks about why he thinks the iPad is a game-changer for AAC and why it’s important to have devices that don’t say “I have a disability!” as soon as you walk into a room with one.
Zach’s A Mac – Zach is a 3 1/2 year old boy with cerebral palsy who’s learning to use an iPad.
I use my iPad while wearing fingerless gloves to help prevent accidental touches by the palm of my hand.
iHelp for Autism by the SF Weekly is a long and well balanced story which explains some of the iPads possibilities as well as its limitations, talking to teachers and other experts as well as parents of kids with autism. This article also includes sections about Leo and Des Roches.
Opinion: Why The iPad Isn??t For Me – Paul has quadriplegia and is an ardent iPod Touch user but for him the iPad would be a step backwards in terms of accessibility. In this article he explains why.
Karen Janowski has written Why I Love the iPad for Education: Initial Observations. Karen is an assistive and educational technology consultant who writes excellently and makes many good points.
The Muscular Dystrophy’s Magazine, Quest, has published Barbara Twardowski’s The iPad: A Disability Friendly Device? which evaluates the iPad for people with various types of disabilities. It’s a balanced look at the pros and cons of the device, and lists ATMac as a website useful for people using an iPad so it must be a good article 
.
From the wonderful Katilea, an adult AAC user, we have several great posts about her new iPad:
- Proloquo2Go and iPad: A Marriage made in Heaven!
- Physical Accessibility on iPad in General, for People with Fine Motor Difficulties
- AAC: Mainstream V Dedicated Devices
- iPad useful for Ataxians?
N0thingbuteverything has written several articles about the iPad as used by her 5 year old son, ‘S’, who has cerebral palsy:
- Proloquo2go and the iPad Review – a detailed review of Proloquo2Go and the iPad
- Proloquo2go?what I learnt next – More reviewing of Proloquo2Go, as well as a wish list of things she’d like to see in future upgrades.
Kate Ahern from Teaching Learners With Multiple Special Needs has written iPossibilities for Those with Significant Special Needs and their Teams listing many apps suitable for those at the more severe end of the ‘special needs’ spectrum.
Trying out an iPad in Greece- this is definitely a world-wide phenomena.
Caleigh’s Mum writes about her daughter’s use of the iPad with Proloquo2Go for communicating. Caleigh has cerebral palsy and there are several videos of her using the iPad included too:
- Caleigh’s Communication Part 4 – iPad
- iPad + Proloquo2Go, 1 Month Update
- Caleigh’s Communication – The Review
Heidi has established a whole blog – Junior’s Voice – about her son’s journey with the iPad as a communications device. He uses the iPad via eyegaze with a helper holding the iPad to “read” the eyegaze and physically touch the screen in the right places.
Finally one of my favourite bloggers, Glenda Watson Hyatt, who has cerebral palsy also got herself an iPad and has been surprised by its usefulness:
- The iPad as an Affordable Communicator: Initial Review
- The iPad as an Affordable Communicator: A Follow-up Review
- Writing Under the Stars: A Follow-Up iPad Review
In personal news, I have just got my own Mac back after it spent two weeks out of action after the video card, so I had only the iPad and my iPod Touch to keep me occupied. I learned a lot about using the iPad which I’m going to show you in future posts. Unfortunately I also got tendonitis in my hands from using them too much, and I have a hernia repair operation scheduled in a week’s time, so I’ll be at least partially out of action for a few more weeks and ATMac will be slow. Please be patient with me while I work on healing!
Hope you enjoyed the stories above – what other iPad disability-related stories have you seen?
- Ricky Buchanan
atmacjournal September 9, 2010 at 2:58 pm
New on ATMac: iPad Users’ Story Round-Up: http://bit.ly/9LArU0
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
theresa jesselli July 19, 2011 at 4:32 am
hi i am a disabled woman 50 yrs of age and i would love to receive a free ipad i would be so so grateful i live on a very small ssi check monthly please consider me, thank u theresa jesselli 288 se st lucie blvd apt 105 stuart florida 34996
Kati September 9, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Thank you for including my links to your site!
My latest blog is about the new iPad mini rumours and how that maybe useful.
Kati
.-= Kati’s last blog: New iPad mini rumours =-.
PerBusch September 9, 2010 at 5:05 pm
iPad for users with disabilities – Story round-up on @atmacjournal: http://bit.ly/9LArU0
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Kajrietberg September 9, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Great post! RT @PerBusch: iPad for users with disabilities – Story round-up on @atmacjournal: http://bit.ly/9LArU0
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
GlendaWH September 9, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Excellent round up #iPad user stories by @rickybuchanan http://atmac.org/round-up-ipad-user-stories #disabilities
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CathyBrowne September 9, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Take note, #Apple! RT @GlendaWH: Excellent #iPad user stories by @rickybuchanan http://atmac.org/round-up-ipad-user-stories #disabilities
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ctmagnus September 9, 2010 at 5:39 pm
RT @GlendaWH: Excellent round up #iPad user stories by @rickybuchanan http://atmac.org/round-up-ipad-user-stories #disabilities
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
MarcoZehe September 9, 2010 at 5:39 pm
RT @PerBusch: iPad for users with disabilities – Story round-up on @atmacjournal: http://bit.ly/9LArU0
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Glenda Watson Hyatt September 9, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Ricky, thanks for an excellent round up of stories! I’m eager to dig in.
Sending healing thoughts your way!
Hugs,
Glenda
MyAlltop_eu2 September 9, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Round-Up: iPad User Stories http://bit.ly/9CqRk5
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kaz_wui September 9, 2010 at 7:18 pm
#clip ATMac – Round-Up: iPad User Stories http://bit.ly/b1KPBZ
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JeffGingerich September 9, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Take note, #Apple! RT @GlendaWH: Excellent #iPad user stories by @rickybuchanan http://atmac.org/round-up-ipad-user-stories #disabilities
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Access4All September 9, 2010 at 8:42 pm
RT @PerBusch: iPad for users with disabilities – Story round-up on @atmacjournal: http://bit.ly/9LArU0
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
therextras September 9, 2010 at 9:32 pm
RT @GlendaWH Excellent round up #iPad user stories by @rickybuchanan http://atmac.org/round-up-ipad-user-stories #disabilities
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c_oreilly September 9, 2010 at 9:37 pm
RT @therextras: RT @GlendaWH #iPad user stories by @rickybuchanan http://bit.ly/aFj5ih #disabilities #autism
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radveggiecrip September 10, 2010 at 1:22 am
RT @GlendaWH: Excellent round up #iPad user stories by @rickybuchanan http://atmac.org/round-up-ipad-user-stories #disabilities
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Paul Natsch September 10, 2010 at 4:02 am
Great roundup Ricky and thanks for including my article. The iPad really is a wonderful device so I still keep looking for ways to make it a fit for me. I haven’t given up yet!
norwoodsworld September 10, 2010 at 4:15 am
I luv my iPad but check out what people w/disabilities can do with it- Round-Up: iPad User Stories http://bit.ly/cN6IIC
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atmacjournal September 10, 2010 at 5:58 am
New ATMac article: iPad Users’ Story Round-Up: http://bit.ly/9LArU0
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
TherapyBox September 10, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Check out Ricky Buchanan’s latest ATMac blog outlining how the iPad can be used in AAC: http://atmac.org/round-up-ipad-user-stories
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Becky Lytle September 10, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina is working on a project to identify needs in our workplace (our stores which include a warehouse where donated goods are sorted and prepared for sale) and how we can utilize apps to make our jobs more accessible to people with disabilities. There are many apps available for children, however adults seeking employment, but needing assistance, don’t have too many apps to utilize. We would love to hear any suggestions of apps that might be useful. We hope to develop these apps after needs have been identified. We think there will be an international interest in what we are doing, because Goodwill is an international organization and Goodwills around the world face the same challenges we face. Thank you for any input!!
gauravd September 13, 2010 at 9:15 pm
RT @TherapyBox: Check out Ricky Buchanan’s latest ATMac blog outlining how the iPad can be used in AAC: http://atmac.org/round-up-ipad-user-stories
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
sdpate September 13, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Round-Up: iPad User Stories http://tinyurl.com/2fe2nd9
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KevinChao89 September 16, 2010 at 2:18 am
RT @redcrew: RT @stcaccess: Very good collection of articles from @atmacjournal on the #iPad as assistive technology: http://bit.ly/9LArU0 #techcomm
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lrmeyer747 September 16, 2010 at 3:10 am
RT @stcaccess: Very good collection of articles from @atmacjournal on the #iPad as assistive technology: http://bit.ly/9LArU0 #techcomm
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
sheisjen September 16, 2010 at 8:39 am
RT @shirlsmor: iPad and people with disabilities, from @mebiel http://tinyurl.com/27dcajv
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lemonshell September 18, 2010 at 12:39 am
Ricky’s iPad User Stories, http://ow.ly/2FP0H “…the iPad is a game-changer for AAC…”
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alsadvocacy September 18, 2010 at 12:41 am
RT @INDATAproject: RT @stcaccess Very good collection of articles from @atmacjournal on the #iPad as assistive technology: http://bit.ly/9LArU0 #techcomm
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
rbstrcraw September 19, 2010 at 2:04 am
RT @INDATAproject: RT @stcaccess Very good collection of articles from @atmacjournal on the #iPad as assistive technology: http://bit.ly/9LArU0 #techcomm
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
jay schumacher September 22, 2010 at 1:29 pm
it is strange but the local assistive technology and the centre for students with disabilities are sitting on the fence regarding the ipad. i need one for taking notes in class but they insist the digital recorder is fine. of course they don’t have to lug a macbook pro around all day.
anybody got any ideas so they will listen to my cries? i think ipads will be a good alternative and more workable than digital recorders and the hassle of taking the computer to class.
.-= jay schumacher’s last blog: Dragon Dictate for Mac 20 Announced =-.
Ricky Buchanan September 24, 2010 at 11:44 pm
@Jay: How are you hoping to take notes with the iPad, and do you have experience using an iPad in class yet? I think if you want to type input then it would be a huge pain to use an iPad because they’re really not great to type with for most people – just for reading/watching information they’re great, but typing on a flat plate is much harder than typing on a keyboard for nearly everybody. They’re also really un-ergonomic for many people, depending on your disabilities/abilities of course. So without having more information about why you think an iPad would be great, I’d be sitting on the fence too honestly! You can record audio with the Macbook Pro you already have, so you wouldn’t need a digital recorder that I can see. Could you tell us more information perhaps?
Becky Lytle September 22, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Jay: in response to your comment, please see my recent entry and know that our work will hopefully make an impact on those providing assistive technology to those who need it. We are trying to show how powerful and adaptive the Apple products are.
RustyBadger October 1, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Just a minor point: your caption under the photo of the man playing with the iPad should say it’s in Greece, not in Russia.
Ricky Buchanan October 2, 2010 at 6:21 pm
@RustyBadger: You’re right, and I have updated the article. I’m not sure how I made such a silly mistake – I do actually know the difference between the Greek and Cyrillic alphabets!
Heidi October 18, 2010 at 9:52 am
Thanks so much for including our blog in your ipad roundup. I am enjoying checking out the many other sites you included and the many people using the ipad for communication.
L Rothschild November 16, 2010 at 5:09 am
Hi, I am the mother of a beautiful 8 year old, non verbal autistic child. I have been reading much in the news about how the ipad may help our non verbal autistic child. Sadly, I am unemployed and we do not have funding to purchase an ipad. Do you have a program that offers funding for autistic children? f yes, kindly add us on to your waiting list for such. Thank you.
Mallory Machon December 6, 2010 at 2:29 pm
What an awesome blog! I had researched a little bit about iPads helping children with disabilities, but this blog is such a great resource for not only people wondering, but parents and family members too! I also like the fact that you talked about not only children with autism, but children with other disabilities as well. I will definitely be referencing back to this blog when I do projects about assistive technology or the iPad!
Luis Perez February 18, 2011 at 7:21 am
Mobile Learning 4 Special Needs http://mobilelearning4specialneeds.wikispaces.com/) is a wiki I created with resources for the use of Apple mobile devices in the special needs classroom. The video tutorials section has several tutorials, all of which are closed captioned. This is targeted at teachers, but maybe other people will find it useful as well.
Kimi March 21, 2012 at 11:20 am
I am actually one of those who are autistic. I also have learning/developmental delays, severe anxiety and ADHD as well as other things. Unlike most people with autism, I can function quite normally but I still have trouble with verbal and emotional expression. My parents finally got me an iPad and it has really REALLY helped me a lot with my therapy. I see a therapist for my autism as well as my emotional conditions and such. So it helps her and my psychiatrist when I write something down and all I have to do is highlight the text and my iPad can read everything I wrote for me in my journal.
Writing is how I am able to express myself and the iPad has made that even more easier for me.
It also helps with my expression when I become too nervous or unable to say what I want to say. I am 23 years old but I have the mental age of a 12 year old.