Apps as assistive products
Apps are versatile helpers in everyday life and at work and support communication, reminders or shopping, for example. App is short for application and means application. These programs are usually used on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets and are available in pre-installed app stores either for a fee or free of charge. As apps can be developed and updated with little effort, this market is extremely dynamic and constantly growing.
Apps for certain impairments
Special apps can meet specific individual needs and partially replace cost-intensive assistive products. The range of possible functions is wide. An exemplary, but not complete, overview according to various restrictions is compiled here.
Apps for people with visual impairments
- Read out content on the display (screen reader)
- Translate and read aloud photographed documents
- Scan and describe the environment
- Recognize colors
- Recognizing products using a barcode
- Navigation systems
Apps for people with hearing impairments
- Transcribing the spoken word into writing
- Record conversations and summarize content
- Playing back conversations in sign language
- Record a television program and play it back with audioscript
Apps for people with communication impairments
- Communicate with images
- Communicating with ready-made text blocks
- Improve language skills
Apps for people with reduced mobility
- Navigation via barrier-free paths
- Collection of barrier-free public places and buildings
- Toilet finder
Apps for people with cognitive impairments
- Train work processes
- Structure daily routines / appointments
- Train memory
Accessibility of apps
There are currently no binding standards for the accessible design of apps. However, the manufacturers of operating systems have published guidelines for accessible app development. These guidelines contain requirements for user interfaces to ensure that apps are also accessible for people with disabilities. For example, it is recommended that only common operating elements of the respective system are used to facilitate handling.
Health apps vs. Medical apps
A basic distinction is made between health apps and medical apps.
- Health apps promote a healthy lifestyle by motivating people to exercise, supporting relaxation, raising body awareness and providing nutritional tips.
- Medical apps, on the other hand, have a medical purpose and are considered medical devices if they are used to diagnose or treat an illness (Section 3 No. 1 MPG). This includes, for example, apps that make it easier to deal with chronic illnesses.
In practice, however, it is often difficult to clearly distinguish the exact purpose of these apps.
Cost coverage by the health insurance company
Many health insurance companies offer free health apps, which are primarily intended to support a healthy lifestyle, prevention and early detection of illnesses.
Since 01.01.2020, health apps can also be prescribed on prescription, with the costs being covered by statutory health insurance. These apps are tested beforehand by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).
In addition, some health insurance companies also cover the costs of other apps. These services must be requested individually from the respective health insurance companies.
(Status: 2020)