Sensory Disability
Respiratory training devices
Respiratory muscle training devices that strengthen breathing muscles and improve breath support for speech using resistance or feedback.
- Hardware
- Voice disorders
AccessLife
Tool Guide
Explore assistive devices and apps by disability and need. Use the filters to find tools that can support daily life, learning, communication and independence.
Developed by the AccessLife Team and the UNESCWA Disability Rights Team. We extend our gratitude to our core partner AGFUND.
Explore the Assistive Devices Dashboard (opens in a new tab)
Sensory Disability
Screen reader
Screen reader software that converts on-screen text into speech or braille, helping blind or low-vision users navigate digital content.
- Software
- Blindness
Sensory Disability
Braille device
Refreshable braille display that converts digital text into raised braille dots, allowing users to read by touch.
- Hardware
- Blindness
Sensory Disability
OCR and Recognition Apps
OCR apps that scan printed text and convert it into digital text for reading aloud, magnification, or accessibility use.
- Software
- Blindness
Sensory Disability
Magnifiers
Handheld magnifiers that enlarge printed text or images to support reading for people with low vision.
- Hardware
- Low vision
Sensory Disability
Screen magnification
Screen magnification software or accessibility features that enlarge digital text and images on computers or phones.
- Software
- Low vision
Sensory Disability
High contrast/Large Text features
Built-in settings that enlarge text and increase contrast to improve visibility for users with low vision or eye strain.
- Software
- Low vision
Sensory Disability
Color filters
Screen settings that adjust colors, such as grayscale, inversion, or tint overlays, to improve readability or support color vision deficiency.
- Software
- Color blindness
Sensory Disability
Color-naming apps
Apps that use the phone camera to identify and announce colors for users with color blindness or low vision.
- Software
- Color blindness
Sensory Disability
Color-correcting glasses
Color-enhancing glasses that filter certain wavelengths to improve color distinction for some users with color vision deficiency.
- Hardware
- Color blindness
Sensory Disability
Reading support
Reading support tools offering text-to-speech, highlighting, simplified layouts, word prediction, or translation for reading difficulties or low vision.
- Software
- Visual processing disorders
Sensory Disability
Line Focus
Reading aids that highlight one line or section of text to improve tracking, reduce crowding, and support comprehension.
- Hardware
- Visual processing disorders
Sensory Disability
Visual organizers
Visual planning tools that organize ideas using mind maps, flowcharts, schedules, or structured charts.
- Software
- Visual processing disorders
Psychosocial Disabilities
Wearable stress monitors
Wearables that track stress signals like heart rate variability or skin temperature and provide alerts, trends, or relaxation feedback.
- Hardware
- Anxiety disorders
Psychosocial Disabilities
Weighted pads
Weighted pads or blankets that provide deep pressure stimulation to support calmness, focus, and sensory regulation.
- Hardware
- Anxiety disorders
- Trauma-related conditions
Psychosocial Disabilities
Ear defenders
Noise-reducing headphones or earmuffs that block environmental sounds for people with sensory sensitivity.
- Hardware
- Anxiety disorders
Psychosocial Disabilities
Biofeedback devices
Biofeedback devices that measure body responses and provide real-time feedback to support relaxation and emotional control.
- Hardware
- Anxiety disorders
Psychosocial Disabilities
Fidget tools
Tactile fidget tools that support attention, emotional regulation, and sensory needs through touch or repetitive movement.
- Hardware
- Anxiety disorders
Psychosocial Disabilities
Anxiety-management apps
Anxiety management apps with breathing exercises, meditation, mood tracking, journaling, and coping strategies.
- Software
- Anxiety disorders
Psychosocial Disabilities
CBT-based therapy apps
CBT-based apps that guide users through exercises to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
- Software
- Anxiety disorders
Psychosocial Disabilities
Meditation & mindfulness apps
Mindfulness apps that guide meditation, breathing, and relaxation practices to reduce stress and support emotional regulation.
- Software
- Anxiety disorders
Psychosocial Disabilities
Panic-alert apps
Panic support apps offering calming steps, breathing prompts, emergency contacts, or panic buttons to notify trusted people.
- Software
- Anxiety disorders
Psychosocial Disabilities
Sleep support apps
Sleep support apps with tracking, relaxation, bedtime routines, or white noise to encourage healthy sleep habits.
- Software
- Anxiety disorders
- Trauma-related conditions
Psychosocial Disabilities
Light therapy lamps
Bright light therapy lamps, usually 10,000 lux, used for circadian rhythm support, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or sleep disturbances.
- Hardware
- Mood disorders
