Are you in need of an app that provides:
- Text to speech
- Word prediction
- Word highlighting
- File management
- Dyslexie font (a specialized font for dyslexics)
AppWriter may be your answer!
AppWriter US for iPad (19.99) is a text editing app that has multiple features for individuals with learning disabilities.
Word prediction tools provides word completion and word prediction that is context based and alphabetically presented. The word prediction word bank allows reading the word aloud before selecting the word for insertion.
Text to speech features offers three different voices (only female) which can read the word or sentences when word processing or reading text. Screen reading within the app is also a choice. One drawback, reported by Chiara, a user, was the reading speed setting were limited with the highest rate reportedly slow.
File management allow you to save within the app, email, copy, or share with Dropbox or Google Docs.
The app uses a font called Dyslexie making it easier for people with dyslexia to distinguish individual letters and reducing the number of reading errors.
AppWriter US provides a writing environment with word prediction support and a basic text reader when documents are copied and pasted into the app. Easy to navigate, save and import and export documents for use within the app, this is a multi-purpose app for struggling readers and writer on the iPad. When used on an iPad 3 the combination of voice recognition available in the standard keyboard, word prediction and text to speech provides some great supports.
This app is well designed and features tools that support struggling readers and writer on the iPad. This app is definitely in my OT iTool Kit!
Carol
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About Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, OTR/L, SCLV, ATP, CATIS
OTR/L with more than 35 years experience in pediatrics, school based therapy and adult rehabilitation. Masters of Science in Adaptive Education/Assistive Technology with 20 years experience in AT in education of elementary, middle school, secondary, post secondary students and work environments for adult clients. A RESNA Assistive Technology Practitioner with ACVREP CATIS credentials, AOTA Specialty Certification in Low Vision, USC Davis Executive Certificate in Home Modifications, servicing adults and students with disabilities in employment, education, and home environments.
A 2020 graduate of the University of Alabama Birmingham Low Vision Certification Program.
OT's with Apps & Technology 
Thank you for this important review. I have several clients who could benefit from this.
Thank you for your visit. If you are in need of computer based software with the same features, there are many Windows based programs available. I would be happy to share Windows or Mac computer programs with text to speech, word prediction, highlighting, talking dictionaries and study tools that support individuals with learning disabilities. (Apps are great and are emerging in features and tools but typically not as robust as standard computer based assistive technology software).
Carol
What Windows programs do you recommend? I love WordQ, but am always looking for cheaper things!
Kim, I am also fond of WordQ, Co Writer and have used Pen Friend for some individuals with a specific need on a PC. If you are looking for free ware check out the free accessibility tools from EduApps:
http://eduapps.org/?page_id=7
They have TTS, word prediction, screen masking, colour changing and more!
Carol
Carol–you are absolutely wonderful. Before you do any more legwork, let me see how receptive this one particular young man–who could really use the technology you’re talking about–is. He’s an adult now, and rather stuck in his ways. If only we’d known about it 15 years ago. . . .
Candida,
I well understand. It has to be their decision and they have to have a reason to use it. There are some good free or low cost text to speech tools out there for Windows so it doesn’t have to cost a lot depending on what it is you need. .
If I can be of help, just let me know. 🙂
Carol
Hi Carol,
Thank you for highlighting this app. I’m ideally looking for something that would allow my daughter to put the touch typing skills she is learning in school to use on her iPad 2.
I’m the mum of an eight year old girl who is registered blind but has exceptional facility with maths. She is going into P4 but for maths she will be joining the P7 class and thereafter joining the high school maths course. My biggest worry is smooth transitioning. She has a full time classroom assistant but, like most kids, she wants to blend in. I have been looking, without success for an app that would allow her to ‘map the school’ on her iPad 2. Have you ever come across something like that?
Thank you for the enormous amount of work you do. It has been immensely useful to our family,
Mary McDonach