Description of App
“Ballyland Rotor” is the sequel to the popular and acclaimed “Ballyland Magic” app. It is a fun iPad game specifically designed for children who are blind or have low vision. With a variety of stories, sounds and songs, it is both highly entertaining and educational, teaching the concept and gestures for the ‘Rotor’ in VoiceOver, Apple’s built-in screen reader for iOS Devices. In the app, Ballicopter, the little red helicopter, embarks on an amazing flight through Ballyland, and the Rotor gesture is used to change the unfolding of his engaging adventure. Ballyland Rotor not only supports children’s understanding of the concept of selecting options and settings by way of the Rotor: it also offers them a safe platform to explore and practice the different ways the Rotor gesture can be performed. Children who are blind need to have VoiceOver skills in order to effectively use an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. In iOS VoiceOver, the Rotor is used to select settings that adjust the way VoiceOver works, such as how fast it speaks. This requires the use of specific touch gestures that are different from those generally used by sighted children. The Rotor is a relatively advanced concept and gesture, and it is recommended to first play Ballyland Magic, which has demonstrated great value in supporting the development of blind children’s foundation touch gesture skills and conceptual understanding of VoiceOver. This app’s fun sound effects, songs, and variable audio-plays will delight all children who set out to learn, or have just mastered the VoiceOver Rotor gesture. Features: • Built-in speech • VoiceOver accessible before start of game • Fun, safe and supportive learning environment • Engaging audio stories, songs and sound effects • Clear and bright images • Popular Ballyland characters • Includes accessible tutorial video • Designed with feedback from adults and children with vision impairment, parents and teachers • Perfect sequel to Ballyland Magic app • Unique 3D print file of Ballicopter learning tool available from website • Use at home and school
Accessibility Comments
This app is great for teaching young kids the voiceover rotor gesture in a fun and interactive way.
note: this app is self-voicing so voiceover is not required in the app.