iOS Apps that Support Learners who Find Reading and/or Writing Challenging

Supports for Reading
iBooks
  • Text-to-speech (with iOS Speak Selection) for eBooks created in ePUB format
  • Works not only with books purchased from iBookstore, but with material created on the iDevice or imported from other sources
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch (FREE)
Voice Dream Reader
  • Text-to-speech for PDF, plain text, MS Word and PowerPoint, RTF, Apple Pages, ePub (DRM free), DAISY
  • Comes with high quality American English voice Heather
  • 78 additional voices available in 20 languages for $1.99 each
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch ($14.99)
ClaroSpeak US or ClaroSpeak UK
  • High quality text to speech reader with 5 built in voices
  • Imports and reads doc, docx, pages, pptx, epub files, but does not retain original formatting of the page
  • Visual highlighting of text as read
  • Also functions as text editor, will echo word or sentence
  • Creates audio files from text files
  • Customizable reading rate, font size, color contrast, etc.
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch ($3.99)
TextGrabber + Translator
  • Take an image of text and convert it to editable/readable digital text
  • ABBY OCR is relatively fast
  • Works with cameras on iPhone 4+, iPod 5+, iPad 3+
  • Option for importing images taken with other cameras/other devices
  • Offers translation to multiple languages
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch ($4.99)
Supports for Writing
Typ-O HD
  • Writing app with multiple supports
  • Word prediction with text-to-speech
  • Built in option for text input with voice recognition
  • Text-to-speech for listening to written work
  • Spell-checker
  • Video demo
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch ($9.99)
Paper Port Notes
  • versatile note-taking app, with multiple options for text input
  • keyboard/voice recognition/stylus inputs available
  • audio recordings can be attached to note pages
  • notes can be shared via email, Google Docs, DropBox, etc.
  • notes may be opened as PDF files by other iPad apps
  • iPad only (FREE)
  • More information 
Dragon Dictation
  • easy to  use voice recognition, no training necessary
  • Use Speak Selection to read back dictated text aloud
  • Copy work to clipboard for use in other apps
  • Share dictated text via email, send directly to Facebook/Twitter
  • Internet connection required
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch (FREE)
Abilipad
  • Create and share customizable keyboards, that may include words and/or images
  • Create and share activities to attach to keyboards
  • Word prediction and text-to-speech
  • Words highlighted as read
  • iPad only ($19.99)  

Alternatives to Writing
 Audio Memos
  • Use device mic to create audio voice recordings
  • Options for editing and bookmarking recordings
  • Share easily via email, Wi-Fi, or online file storage services
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch ($0.99)
  • In-App purchases available to increase functionality, including voice activation ($0.99)
  • Free version works well, but is ad-supported and recording length is limited
AudioNote
  • Record a talk, lesson, lecture, or your own thoughts while taking notes
  • Use keyboard or stylus to take notes, or use stylus to add drawings, diagrams, etc.
  • Notes are synchronized with audio, and audio can be "searched" by clicking on word or drawing
  • Export notes and audio via email, over wi-fi, or via iTunes
  • Also available for PC, Mac and Android
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch ($13.99)
fotobabble
  • Attach audio recording to image
  • Extensive range of options for editing image in app, including opportunity to add text
  • Share via Facebook, Twitter, or email
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch (Free) - not optimized for iPad
Book Creator
  • Intuitive app for creating ebooks in ePUB format
  • Books can incorporate images, video, text, recorded audio, music
  • Completed books are published to iBooks on the iPad
  • Books can be printed or shared via email, iTunes, or Dropbox
  • iPad only ($4.99)
Animoto
  • Create multimedia presentation videos
  • Combine images/video clips/text with music
  • User interface is intuitive, videos are quick and easy to create​
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch (FREE)
Research Supports
Google Search
  • Voice recognition works well for entering search terms
  • Many search results offer text-to-speech responses
  • Also offers opportunity to enter images as "search terms"
  • Video demo
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch (FREE)
Visual Supports
Ideament
  • Create mind map and turn it into an outline or  vice versa
  • Import text from other apps
  • Share work via email, or copy into other apps
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch (FREE)
  • More information
Mindomo
  • Powerful and versatile mind mapping app
  • Mind maps can include images, hyperlinks, icons, notes, etc.
  • Export mind maps as images or as PDF files
  • Cross-platform desktop clients and Android versions available
  • iPad only (FREE)
Tools 4 Students
  • Set of 15 graphic organizers to support visual organization of thoughts and concepts (cause/effect, pro/con, story elements, KWL, etc.)
  • Save work for future reference, or share via email
  • iPad only ($1.39)
Supports for Written Math Output
MyScript Calculator
  • "handwriting calculator"
  • Input with finger or stylus and calculates automatically
  • Works for basic and advanced math
  • iPad/iPhone/iPad Touch (FREE)
Panther Math Paper
  • Do math work on iPad (beginning and advanced)
  • Mathematical notation and symbols available and easily accessible
  • Learners are able to show their work
  • iPad only ($19.99)
Quick Graph +
  • Powerful  graphing calculator for advanced math, graphs in 2D and 3D
  • Simple, intuitive user interface
  • Email from within app, copy to clipboard, or save to photo library
  • iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch ($2.79)
Extra Special Resource for Beginning Readers of All Ages
Tar Heel Reader
  • Not an app, but a website that works particularly well on the iPad
  • Well organized collection of more than 25,000 accessible books that can be read aloud online (text must be tapped to be heard)
  • Stories use engaging images from Flickr, with limited accompanying text
  • FREE