Facebook App Party for Special Need Children – 11 June 2011

As technology evolves, many parents with special needs children are finding some support with devices such as the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. Some apps have helped family improve communication, other have benefited the child directly. Apps appear to help in many different ways and are developed by a wide range of developers from well established companies to parents that created their own app to help and support their own children. They main focus being to support children with special needs.

A big player in the community is Gary James. Gary has created Apps for Children with Special Needs (a4cwsn) to help families, carers and the wider community of educators and therapist by producing video app demo to show how some apps have been designed to help children with special needs.

Gary offers an independent source of information that provides valuable info and insight on the project. Today he has reviewed over 300 apps for iPod/iPhone/iPad and each video discuss which skills the apps focus on teaching, how the apps work, and how well they carry out their educational aim — all accompanied by a visual walk-through.

Gary James goal goes one step beyond the app review process since he has developed a campaign –iPAds4U - to provide iPads to as many families dealing with Special Needs as he possibly can. One step in the project is the Biggest Worldwide App Party ever on Facebook that will be held on Saturday June 11, from 9am EST (New York Time) and will be on the Facebook Page of a4cwsn.

 

More than 100 of the best developers - including Oceanhouse Media, MobileEducation Store, Ruckus Media, AbelNet, Silver Kite, Grembe Apps, Legend, iDevBooks, Fishdog, Brain Parade, Kiboomu, Jungle Education, Binary Labs, Gary Brown’s Autism Apps, Thumb Arcade, Nosy Crow, Grace and many more - have donated for free thousands of apps for the occasion. (View full list)

What will happen during the App Party?

Gary James:  

"The App giveaway takes the form of a game in which all participants compete for the correct codes that will unlock their access to the free App, which they can then download from iTunes for free."

As well as giving away what is expected to be in excess of 2500 promo codes for Apps on the iPad, iPhone and iTouch Gary James will also be giving away a number of iPad 2's to parents of children with Special Needs on the day to eligible families.

James said "This is part of our iPads4U campaign to help those who would otherwise find this technology unaffordable. There can be no doubt at all that touch tablet technology is opening up a new world of interactive communication for children with special needs, and we can't wait to spread the word, but our campaign relies entirely on generous donations from sponsors and philanthropists and we have a long waiting list so any additional support we get would be great"

If you are a parent of a special need here is how you can participate:

In order for you to be eligible to win one of the many iPad’s A4CWSN will be giving away you need to do the following things: 
1 - Like a4cwsn on Facebook
2 - Be involved in Special Needs
3 - Purchase a ticket and make a minimum donation of $10 towards the iPad fund, each ticket is $10 and you can buy as many as you like. We will put all of the names into a “hat” and pull out the winners on Saturday June 11th and / or Sunday June 12th. This process will be on Video for you all to watch.

Some codes will be posted on Facebook and some will be given away in the form of questions on the a4cwsn web-site, where you have the chance to win upwards of 10 Apps in one go.

The party will be split into 2 parts:

1. mainly Educational Apps and
2. Special Need Specific Apps

How can help and support Apps for Children with Special Needs?

If you are not a parent of a special need but would like to donate and help support Gary James in his campaign to help parents and children, you can contact Gary directly: Gary James at (Gary(at)a4cwsn(dot)com) (replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .)

 Based on parents experience tablets and apps can help support children with special needs, so make sure you let everyone around you know and join in the app party on Saturday!

 If you are using apps that helped you and your kids, please share with us and leave a comment.

Enjoy great apps with your kids and make sure to stay tunes with Fun Educatonal Apps. Don't miss our next review; Make sure to subscribe to our RSS feed (e-mail or reader) or News Letter.  Follow us on Friend Feed,  Twitter  or Facebook .

 

 

Comments

[Joan]

You probably didn't notice but Gary James's site, A4cwsn.com, is one big paid advertisement masked as reviews of apps. See the site here http://a4cwsn.com/advertising-on-a4cwsn/

I just thought that parents should know about this and you may want to endorse a different site when it comes to apps for special needs kids. Mr. James is deceiving many parents like me.

[gary james]

Really Joan? Are the videos Fake? such a shame you would think like that.

[Stephanie]

Joan - You should actually investigate BEFORE you comment. The videos are honest, and give both pros and cons to each app reviewed. I am thankful to have found Gary's sight. He has saved me countless hours by reviewing the apps most pertinent to children with special needs. This isn't a be all end all list of apps for EVERY special needs child, but it gave me concise reviews of applications that I don't fully understand yet. It allowed me to avoid purchasing duds, and concentrate on the ones most likely to help my son.

If you don't like what he is doing, please don't come by. But don't twist what is going on , on this site without getting ALL of the information first.

Thanks.

Stephanie

[Greekkoukla418]

Sorry Joan, but I think before you speak you need to get your facts straight. Have you had a chance to actually watch some of the videos that he makes?? Did you know that he has a child with special needs?? He is a father who is looking out for his own child!! His app reviews have helped me pick some great apps for my son!!!

Thank you Gary and please continue to do what you do!! Let the haters hate!!

Shame on you for thinking that, we are all supposed to be helping one another... not going against each other!

[Stacey]

Joan....did you catch this paragraph on the page?

"Developers should note however that A4CWSN is a site trusted by its users to provide honest reviews on the suitability of Educational Apps and App Storybooks for Children with Special Needs and will not produce, publish or promote any App which we believe does not meet the standards expected or required by the community we serve."

I do not know Gary personally, but I know that he is supporting this up and coming community by providing honest videos of apps. The .99 cent apps add up fast and I think the special needs community is a vulnerable one. Parents see and hear things on the developers sites and assume that the app/product is worthy, then after they purchase it, it's not really what it was cracked up to be. If you do that enough time you can break the bank!

Thank you Gary for all that you do!!!

Stacey from Texas

[Julie]

Joan-You are wrong! Gary's videos are valuable, and I've usEd them several times before purchasing an app. You have no idea how important a4cwsn is to our special needs community!

[Reevesc]

Joan -
Gary is helping parents like me find the apps we need to help our children. If you have a special needs child or 3 like in my home you would know that is hard to find apps or even just paper and books that our children can work with. I'm always a skeptic when looking at things. And I look at his site over and over. I did my research. And I also know the amount of money it takes to run an organization like his. It is not cheap so for him to advertise on his site is a good way to keep this organization going. It is a smart business move. No one is pushed into buying any app. It is our choice. And I for one am thankful for his help in finding the apps. I didn't even know what an app was until 2 weeks ago when I got an iphone because it was on sale for $50 and I had heard that there were games on there that my children could play. I'm a single mom with 3 disabled kids and I'm disabled myself. So his help is needed and greatly appreciated. So move on and and let the parents who really need someone like Gary be able to do it without you telling us that we are wrong.

Thanks
Carla E.R.

[Cindie Oatley]

Joan, not only have I enjoyed the games to get the apps, the reviews have helped me greatly and Gary gave me personal advice on cause and effect apps that I needed help with... Check out what he does before you start saying rude comments... and truthfully if he has paid advertising on HIS webpage then more power to him, he can't make a living giving us all free apps and ipads, but advertising is not illegal and if he makes a - good living for his family-More POWER to him!!!!!

[Skyrose]

Joan,

I'm a bit confused. Why do you think his site is a big paid advertisement? What's it an advertisement for?

I've been following his site (and several others) in the few months that I've had an iPad. His site has never struck me as a "big paid advertisement", so I'd love to know where you are coming from. :)

He reviews apps and gives his opinion on them. Then a parent can decide if that app is something that you want to use for your child. He then also gets the makers of the apps to give away free codes to the apps during the parties.

Just because he offers advertising space, and then uses the money to pay for the iPad4U promotion (and probably towards paying for web hosting), doesn't mean that he's conning people. He's looking for people who he has already reviewed their apps. Why shouldn't they help our kids get iPads cheaper?

[Paula]

Wow Joan...Gary is 'winning' and truly paying it forward...you? not so much...how sad to even think you would take the time to post something as negative and unnecessary as this...

[Paula]

Wow Joan...Gary is 'winning' and truly paying it forward...you? not so much...how sad to even think you would take the time to post something as negative and unnecessary as this...

[Petra]

As a special education teacher, I have only recently found Gary's sight and can tell you Joan that you are wrong. Gary's reviews have been extremely helpful in helping me determine the appropriateness of certain apps that I have considered buying but didn't want to spend the money on unless I could really preview the app. Sounds like you might need to do some more homework before finger pointing

[Mel Campbell]

Joan, What Gary is doing is good for families and educators. I have watched many of his videos before purchasing apps. I have also won some which are used by my special class. My students faces tell the story. I have participated in the app party and it unites families and anyone that works with students with special needs. If I do not win I often write down the name of the app and investigate it further latter to see if it will meet the needs of my student. This saves my time searching through the app store. I am sure todays IPad winner from Australia is very happy and has no complaints. Keep it up Gary!!

[Fay]

I am completely shocked that Joan posted that. Either she doesn't understand Gary or she hasn't bothered to read his website or any of his posts on Facebook. Gary has spent HOURS and HOURS trying to help all of us equally. from what I've seen since I met Gary a few weeks ago, he is an extremely honest man who is trying his best to not only help his children, but help other parents help their children too.
Gary, you are a blessing to so many of us. I can't figure out how to join in the apps party fun but still enjoy reading everything during the parties. Please know that you are doing the right thing and please don't doubt yourself or stop doing what you are doing because of Joan.

[Eelpouts]

Gary James makes no money for his work. He does it out of compassion... helping others is always the right thing to do. I'm honored and grateful he shares his learnings with the Autism Hangout (dotcom) community.

Craig Evans
Founder - Autism Hangout (dotcom)

[Becky Brown]

I think it's always good to be careful about things like this, but I think his advertising page states it all:
THIS ENSURES OUR INDEPENDENCE TO ONLY PRODUCE AND PUBLISH MATERIAL THAT WE CONSIDER TO BE OF SUFFICIENT QUALITY TO PROMOTE TO THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.

ACCORDINGLY, WE MAY REJECT REQUESTS TO PRODUCE, PUBLISH OR PROMOTE PRODUCTS IF IN OUR OPINION THEY DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS.

He can't do everything he's doing for the community for free and needs to cover his expenses just like we do. His videos show what the app does, and in the end it's up to us to decide whether we buy it or not. He's not forcing anyone to buy the app, or charging to watch the videos...

I'm thankful for his service to this community that needs this kind of help. I'm way too busy and much too poor to buy an app only to find it's not what I thought.

[Trish]

Joan, in fact when I investigated Gary's site a few weeks ago I did notice that he offers developers a chance to have their apps reviewed on video by their potential customers for a nominal fee. I thought it was a great idea! When we (parents and educators) are looking for useful apps for the children in our care, having the opportunity to see the app in action really helps us to make a decision. Believe me, I have bought some less-than-stellar apps because I just went with the notes on the iTunes page. I have also gone to a4cwsn to see Gary's reviews of apps which I already own because his videos are often more helpful than the app's own help page.
On the developer side, the chance to get your product seen by your customers is advertising. If your product is a good one, that means you're going to be selling more and the word will get out to the community that your development company creates a quality product. Advertising costs money - that's reality! The fee pays for Gary's time and production costs while he fully investigates the app in question and learns how it can be best used by special needs children. I'm sure it also helps pay for the upkeep of the website and possibly puts a bit of bread on the table for his family. Is this a bad thing? While Gary has proven to be quite selfless during this App Party promotion, none of us actually expect him to be living in a shack full of hungry children due to his dedication to the cause.

[Jen Travers]

I don't get it Joan when you say 'A4cwsn.com, is one big paid advertisement masked as reviews of apps'? Have you been to the site? IT'S A APP REVIEW SITE. Just what else should be on the site Joan besides Apps? Hmmm... recipes? Car parts?
You obviously haven't watched any of the demos that Gary has made for parents of special needs kids so that they can review an app before spending the little money they have left after paying for therapy, on an App that may not suit their childs needs... on his own time.
even though Gary has two children at home with special needs he does this and much more.
Parents of children with special needs are like this Joan, we try to help.
I can't help but question your motive in making the comment you made about Gary especially when it was so off base. But one thing is for sure, not only was it untrue and uneducated... it helped no one.

[Anne]

Joan

If you can't say something nice than please don't say anything at all. Gary provides a very valuable service and I have no problem if he takes money from advertisers. Developers of apps that are specific to this niche need a place to reach their buyers too. Gary has always been honest about positives and negatives in all of his videos which has helped me to make some informed decisions instead of hypothetical guesses. Gary - Please know that this woman does NOT speak for all of your fans and the families you have helped.Whenever someone is doing awesome things like you someone always wants to knock them down. Pay no attention there was nothing important to see here.

[Kyron Arambula]

Joan, I'm not sure why you think that a site accepting advertising is any different than the ads on your favorite TV show. It costs a bunch of money to host a site, put together all his independently produced videos and the time to actually go thru each app and determine if they are appropriate for the demographic he is trying to serve. That's only a fraction of the time that goes into putting together a site like A4CWSN. Now put in the money he's donating to get iPads into the hands of children who might otherwise not have access to this valuable technology and the efforts to get other companies to help out with free and discounted apps.....I don't know how he does all of it and ever sees his family or works a job outside of this to support his family. Gary makes it clear that you can't "buy" a review there.

"ACCORDINGLY, WE MAY REJECT REQUESTS TO PRODUCE, PUBLISH OR PROMOTE PRODUCTS IF IN OUR OPINION THEY DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS."

Just because advertising is available on the site doesn't make it bad, nor does it impugn the integrity of the reviews or most importantly, the author. Making the leap in logic you did however hurts everyone. A lot of good comes from Gary and by extension A4CWSN.com.

[Holly Stillwagon]

Joan, Perhaps I'm missing something, but I am just not sure how you came to this conclusion. I've watched the reviews, I've seen the advertising, I do not see an "ad $ = good review" correlation. If you can show me where you see that, this accusation would make more sense to me. I see a dad of 2 special needs kids who researched apps for his own kids & chose to share his insight with other parents. This was met with such positive response he continued. To expect that this become his full-time hobby & drain his family's budget is unrealistic. To imply a lack of character with out corroborating evidence is unfair. To insinuate the reviews are less than honest borders on slander & libel. I stand by Gary James & thank him for all he does for our children.

[Michelle Gagne]

Joan,

I strongly disagree with you. You need to get your facts straight before bad mouthing someone who has done nothing to deserve it!!

I have been nothing but blessed since Gary James of A4cwsn has entered my life. I have received nearly 60 FREE apps from him. I have also received at least 20 more from his suggestion to "like" the Facebook pages many of the developers who have donated their apps to him for his APP Party.

He has a family to support. Advertising is a legitimate business. I have never received free advertising for the business my husband and I own and Gary's rates are very reasonable. We are not app developers for children's apps or we would be advertising on Gary's page!!!

Have you even watched any of the video reviews of the apps that he has provided for all of us? They have saved me, and many others who are raising children with and without special needs, tons of time by showing us how the apps work and what the pros and cons of the apps are before we buy them.

He has managed to put together the largest worldwide online APP Party that I am aware of and is in the process of giving out 4000 - yes, FOUR THOUSAND!! - FREE apps and 12 FREE iPads this weekend!!! He has the support of hundreds of app developers who have joined the party and donated at least one or more free apps. If they were disgruntled about his advertising, I am sure that they would not be promoting this party on their Facebook pages or websites!!!!

He has invested tons of hours into this APP Party. I consider those hours to be an investment not only for his family but for thousands of people around the world who love someone with special needs who will benefit from the apps, iPod Touches/iPhones/iPads that he has gifted to them. I know NO ONE else who has ever done anything this amazing for so many for free.

I think you owe Gary a huge apology.

Sincerely ~
Michelle Gagne

[Kim Dillard]

Joan, I may be new to Gary's site, but I'm a fairly intelligent person. I have a son with special needs who was recently given an Ipad. In my search for apps for him to improve his verbal skills and his overall abilities.I have to be honest, never even noticed any advertisement on his site(though it may be there), because I was so excited to see the in depth videos of each app! He goes through step by step to show us parents what this app can do, and makes it easy to decide if it is right for my child. I can't even fathom the time it takes to do this and to keep up with the sheer number of apps on the market! So, instead of being so negative take a moment to see what he really does on his site. If you can't do that and make an informed comment, go somewhere else. I think most people will be able to decide for themselves if his site is helpful to them or not. I believe it is and am proud to share it with as many friends as I think it will help.
If he has advertising on there to help with costs of running the site, so what! He has that right and it's very smart. He is helping so many!
Thanks Gary for all the hard work you put in to your site! You are truly helping so many of us make informed choices and purchase wisely!

[Riqui Boyles]

Who gives a flip if he's making money or not? It's very helpful to many people. I hope he is making some money. I can only imagine the time and hard work he is putting into it and he's giving back. Hope he becomes a millionaire. It would benefit others if he did.

[Anna Minney]

Well, Joan - I think everyone has pretty much said what is in my head at the moment. As a mum of a child with special needs, I am forever grateful to people like Gary, who certainly don't have to do what they do, but they still do. I don't believe that he does this because of kickbacks or underhanded deals, but for the selfless fact that he wants to make a difference and make a family’s life better. I know this may come as a surprise to you, but there are people in the world who ALWAYS put others first, it is a natural thing, it makes them feel good helping others and what an amazing job Gary has done.
I am more than happy to endorse a site that is honestly making a difference and I have done so on many occasions. I realise that life these days calls for a lot of discretion and being sceptical about certain people is warranted - don't think this is necessary when it comes to Gary James and his site as he has done only good from my perspective.