About the App Catalogue
The App Catalogue is a library of reliable disability-inclusive digital applications supporting children, adolescents, caregivers and front line workers.
What is the App Catalogue?
The Catalogue is a library of health and distance learning apps developed by the public and private sector and assessed by UNICEF for functionality, use by children and accessibility. All applications listed are inclusive, meaning they can be used by persons with and without disabilities. The Catalogue also includes apps designed specifically to provide support to children or adults with disabilities.
Only apps that meet the UNICEF standards are listed in the App Catalogue, and all apps are periodically reviewed. The apps in the catalogue are available on iOS and Android systems.
Supporting children and families
A growing number of commercially available digital applications are helping children and caregivers access distance education, manage their health and find disability support. However, navigating this space to find quality and trusted applications is difficult.
For caregivers of children with disabilities, it is even more challenging with many applications purporting to be accessible not delivering on the promise.
At the same time, the growth of technology means governments can use apps – such as literacy or numeracy games – to deliver a modern education in even the most remote areas. However, we must ensure these apps are inclusive so children with disabilities are not left behind.
UNICEF developed the App Catalogue to help parents, children and front line workers cut through the clutter to quickly find quality apps. In addition, the App Catalogue helps UNICEF staff, partners and governments find apps for programming, knowing they have been assessed, vetted and tested by UNICEF experts to a rigorous standard.
It is also guiding industry to develop more inclusive applications. Already, developers have adjusted their development roadmaps to meet the UNICEF qualification criteria. Long term, this will increase the number of inclusive and child-friendly apps available.
What apps are included in the Catalogue?
The Catalogue currently includes disability support apps designed for children, adolescents, caregivers, and front line workers. In the near future it will be expanded to include apps across education and health, among other categories.
Disabilities
Supporting children with disabilities and their caregivers
UNICEF in collaboration with independent technology experts and persons with disabilities assessed apps designed to support children with disabilities, caregivers of children with disabilities, and caregivers and parents with disabilities. Apps submitted for review are assessed against rigorously developed criteria for functionality, disability accessibility and use by children.
Additional categories
Coming soon
UNICEF is currently working with education and health experts to bring our full library of apps and categories to our new website. Please come back soon for updates.
Learn more about the UNICEF App Catalogue qualification criteria.