Braille Institute’s VisionSim app for iPhone and iPad was developed to allow people with healthy vision to experience the world through the eyes of a person experiencing one of four degenerative eye diseases: macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts.

Using touch-screen controls, the user can select one of the four simulators to replicate the symptoms of that particular disease. The application uses the camera in the iPhone or iPad to allow the user to see the world through digital filters simulating the symptoms and experience of the disease. Using sliding touch-screen controls, the user can manipulate the severity of the symptoms.

The real-time still images can be saved by the camera and stored for later review, or to be shared.

The application also provides basic information on each of the eye diseases including symptoms, causes and treatments. The user can also access Braille Institute’s website or contact Braille Institute directly via email for more information.

This application was designed to foster understanding and compassion for the millions of people affected by these eye conditions.

Price: Free

IEP Checklist is a tool for parents and teachers to consider as they develop the IEP. Not every item on the checklist is required by special education regulations. For more information, consult the Federal regulations and other information that can be found at http://idea.ed.gov.

The IEP Checklist is sponsored by The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC). http://www.peatc.org.

Price: Free

IEP Checklist in the App Store

The goal of iAdvocate is to share and develop specific strategies with parents for working collaboratively with a school team to improve their children’s education. iAdvocate uses problem-based learning strategies, simulations, and provides contextual access resources to build parental advocacy skills and knowledge.

iAdvocate provides parents with both information and most importantly, strategies in regards to their educational rights and getting their child’s needs met. The goal of iAdvocate is to share and develop specific strategies with parents for working collaboratively with a school team to improve their children’s education and to provide the most inclusive and meaningful educational environment for students with disabilities.

iAdvocate contains three sections: strategies, a compilation of approaches that parents can pursue as advocates; resources, which lists and, where possible, links to such references as laws, books, articles, web sites, video presentations, and organizations that provide information on inclusive education; and, responses, which features simulated interactions, such as replies to common statements made by school professionals regarding services and accommodations for children.

Price: Free

iAdvocate in the App Store