By Stephen D. Bruce, PHR
Editor, HR Daily Advisor

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act—sounds expensive, but maybe an inexpensive app for an iPhone or other device can do the trick. Here are some suggestions from the Job Accommodation network (JAN):

(And please respond to my request at the end of the article.)

Useful Apps for Disability Accommodation

  • A Special Phone, iTunes, $ 0.99: This app makes the iPhone functional to those with vision impairments or fine motor limitations. Instead of a standard keyboard, you can pre-program the phone to dial someone based on the number of shakes you give it.
  • Proloquo2Go, iTunes, $189.99: Targeted for those with speech impairments, this is a full service augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app. It enables users to select from thousands of symbols to serve as a text-to-speech communication device.
  • iConverse, iTunes, $9.99: With its simplicity, this is targeted for people with speech impairments and young children. It is a simpler AAC app that comes with six basic everyday needs: Drink, Food, Bathroom, Sick, Break, and Help. In addition to the basics, you can program your own symbolism, which can be used to verbally communicate your needs/wants.

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  • iCommunicate, iTunes, $49.99: This app is very flexible in the way it can be personalized. It has features that enable individuals with speech impairments to communicate through the database's symbols or from photos on the user's camera roll. You can create story boards or visual cues that turn the text/symbols into audio output (which can also be personally recorded).
  • Locabulary, iTunes, Free!: Another AAC type app, but with a twist. This has the database of moods, foods, and assistance symbols, but also has built in GPS enabled categories that are specific to the user's current location. For example, if the GPS sees you are near a Starbucks, it will add phrases such as "I would like a tall latte."
  • TuneWiki, iTunes/Android Marketplace/Blackberry App World, Free!: This is a useful app that streams songs and videos with real-time lyrics on the screen.
  • SoundAmp, iTunes, 4.99: This turns your iPhone into a hearing aid with its amplification capabilities. You can record real-time lectures and presentations and export them into computer. Not only could this be useful for the hearing impaired, but its recording functions could be used for learning disabilities and motor impairments.
  • iSign, iTunes, $4.99: This is a reference, tutorial program that has over 800 American Sign Language gestures. This may help break down communication barriers between those who primarily sign and those who do not.
  • Glucose Buddy, iTunes, Free!: Mainly can be used as a data storage device; you can track exercise, insulin, carbohydrate consumption, and glucose numbers.

Bottom line, apps can be an excellent, low-cost accommodation solution. Meanwhile, I want to do some articles on useful HR-related apps. Do you have an app to recommend? E-mail me at sbruce@blr.com and I’ll publish a compilation in a future issue.

And how about apps you wish you had?

Texts of HR laws?
Immediate advice for solving HR problems?
Checklists?
_______________________????

Please let me know what HR app you would find useful.

Thanks, readers!

Steve
sbruce@blr.com