At Cahoots, we are committed to making everything accessible. That’s why we’ve gathered a list of five apps designed to help people of all abilities enhance their everyday lives. We believe these apps can be used across various levels of disability to improve overall quality of life and independence.
1. TapTapSee
This app is for people living with a vision impairment. It uses the camera on your device to identify objects and provide audio descriptions in real-time. The simplicity and accuracy of this app have made this app suitable for all ages.
TapTapSee gives people living with a vision impairment the opportunity to explore their environment more freely and confidently.
You can check it out here: https://taptapseeapp.com/
2. Wheelmap
This user-generated map assists individuals with mobility impairments in finding wheelchair-accessible locations. It helps everyone plan their days more efficiently while providing valuable information about wheelchair-friendly places, using a simple traffic light system, for those who need it.
Wheelmap has information on over 3.2 million public places is currently available. More than 300 new entries are added every day. Since 2010, the map has been helping wheelchair users and people with other mobility impairments to plan their day more effectively. It is now available in 33 languages.
Wheelmap promotes inclusivity and independence by ensuring that the locations on the map have been contributed by individuals who also experience mobility impairments, empowering users to confidently participate fully in society.
You can check it out here: https://wheelmap.org/
3. Sesame-Enable
This is a hands-free mobile control technology app that is specifically designed for individuals with limited or no use of their hands. The app allows the users to control their device and access its features completely hands-free by tracking the head movement of users, utilising the front facing camera of their smartphone or tablet. These solutions are used daily by those living with ALS, Spinal Cord Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis and other conditions leading to paralysis.
Founded by an individual living with quadriplegia and a handful of enthusiastic engineers, the company wanted to bridge a digital gap for millions. Sesame-Enable allows individuals to have independence in using their phone and everyday functions such as making a phone call.
You can check it out here: https://www.sesame-enable.com/
4. Proloquo2Go
This symbol-based, text-to-speech communication app empowers individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, or down syndrome to express themselves and interact more freely with those around them. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of age groups and cognitive abilities. AAC, or Augmentative and Alternative Communication, are a set of tools, systems and strategies designed to help people who experience difficulty with speech. We all use AAC – think about texting on your mobile, gestures or facial expressions.
Unlike speaking people, however, people with autism, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome who cannot (always) use speech rely on AAC to communicate and connect. Like sign language, Proloquo2Go offers you everything you need to communicate.
Trusted by hundreds of thousands worldwide, it is highly flexible and can be personalized to cater to individual needs and various disabilities. Proloquo2Go allows individuals who are non-verbal to communicate their wants and needs.
You can check it out here: https://www.assistiveware.com/products/proloquo2go
5. AutiSpark
This app is specifically designed for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is an education-based app that features a wide range of engaging and interactive learning games tested and approved by special educators and occupational therapists.
This improves the individual’s decision making, eye direction and delivers it in a find and interactive way for children with ASD to develop core life skills.
You can check it out here: https://www.autispark.com/
Cahoots celebrates innovation that supports inclusion and empowers individuals of all abilities. These apps are excellent examples of how technology can break barriers and create opportunities for greater independence and connection. We encourage you to explore these tools, share them with your community, and continue advocating for accessibility in all aspects of life. Together, we can build a world where everyone can grow and thrive.
