The
QWERTY keyboard still dominates in terms of it's availability
and use everywhere people use computers!
In this age, where electronic and computer
development has been explosive, we're still using a
computer keyboard layout that is over 100 years old!
There are significant variations on the
QWERTY keyboard, with many companies building large
ranges of QWERTY keyboards with various design and
functionality differences. The fact remains,
however, that the QWERTY keyboard is
everywhere.
So, it
seems inevitable and necessary that we all learn to
use the regular qwerty keyboard so that we will be
prepared and functional wherever we encounter
computers.
However,
investigating the wide range of alternatives
currently available and the new ones being developed
every month, can result in new opportunities for
both people with disabilities and able bodied
people. People with disabilities may have no option
but to make use of different or alternate
keyboards. The use of alternate keyboards and
input methods may surprise you in terms of the
improvement in your efficiency, accuracy and
productivity. Remember though, that
introducing a new system which requires learning,
skill development, motor learning and practice for
familiarity and skill may appear slow and awkward in
the beginning.
Persevering
with new input systems may have a significantly
positive payoff in the end with increasing your
productivity in text entry and computer use.
But you may only see this is you practice and
persevere, with patience and persistence!
Speech
Recognition: The use of voice for computer
control and text entry has become an increasingly
viable and successful system. For individuals
with good speech and reading skills above a 3rd
grade level, a trial period of speech recognition is
strongly recommended. Users can attain speeds
and accuracy levels with speech recognition that is
not possible at all with any other input
method. See the
speech
recognition section of this web site.
Repetitive
stress
problems & injuries
Ergonomic
keyboards have been developed through
the driving force of consumer demand and need.
The advent of computers and their infiltration into
every aspect of society in work, school and homes
has seen a surge of upper body repetitive
stress difficulties and postural problems.
Reduced
range
of motion
A
reduced range of motion in the joints of the arms or
hands results in a reduced functional area for
work. Small,
mini or reduced size keyboards are often
effective in allowing the user to get to each key
with less effort, in a smaller range of
movement. Small keyboards can be easily
mounted or positioned in an optimal position for the
users best functional range of movement. When
choosing a reduced size keyboard, take note of the
following size ratios:
the size of each
individual key
the space between
each key
the physical size
of the keyboard
the layout of the
keys and the physical shape of the keyboard
In addition,
keyboards with alternate
key layouts can be effective in
minimizing the amount of movement or range required
for each key hit. Many studies have shown that
reducing the range of movement and distance between
each key hit can speed up typing and also aid in
accuracy for people with reduced range of motion,
poor coordination and fatigue problems. These
alternate key layout programs are sometimes referred
to as 'frequency of use' keyboards since the most
frequently used letters are laid out in a more
optimal position for sequential key strokes.
Poor
coordination
There
are a number of options for users with poor
coordination. Poor coordination can result in
errors with the wrong key being hit, and frequent
need for backspacing for corrections. It can
also result in the correct key being hit but
possibly hit more than once or held down too long,
thus inadvertently ending up with more than one
character per key hit, also requiring backspacing
and corrections. In this case, typing is slow
and frustrating because is takes so much effort
attempting to hit the correct key in the first
place, and then if the wrong one is hit, time needed
for deletion and then more effort to try and hit the
correct key again.
Keyguards
can be used on any keyboard. For the user with
poor coordination, any type of keyboard (large,
small, regular, Dvorak layout, one handed etc.) a
custom keyguard can help significantly with initial
correct key hits.
For many
users, providing more table space in front of the
keyboard for resting the forearms will help with stabilizing
arms.
Click on
thumbnail ...
Forearms
or wrists rested on arm
supports (such as a wrist rest or larger arm
supports on the desk in front of the keyboard) can
be helpful in providing a stable surface for support
thus reducing tremors or helping stabilize poorly
controlled movement. Proximal stability (of
arms) will almost always help with increased
accuracy with initial key hits.
Click on thumbnail
...
Reduced
strength or
endurance
For
the user who fatigues quickly, providing as much
body support and good positioning as well as
reducing the amount of movement and the force
required for activation are key points to address.
Positioning:
The seated position should be as supportive as
possible. This means support at all joints,
with only the hands or fingers moving, to reduce the
physical load as much as possible. The
chair back should have lumbar support. Side
supports or built up sides will help with trunk
support too. The more support the
better!
Alternate
/ frequency of use layout or Small,
mini or reduced size keyboards require less
movement. Most of these small keyboards also
need less force to activate keys. Membrane
keyboards that don't need an actual key press also
help in some cases.
Hand
function
problems
There
are a large range of very different and unusual
keyboards. Hand function problems could
include difficulty with pointing and key press for
individual keys. It could involve the use of
only a few fingers for key presses. Whatever
the specific hand function problem, there are many
different types of keyboards that could be
considered. Keyboards with alternate
layout or those designed for one
handed typing may be beneficial.
Slow
rate
of work
For
users who have good speech,
speech
recognition will significantly speed up rate of
work. Text entry even for someone who moves
and talks slowly, will be much quicker than any type
of keyboard. If a keyboard is the best option,
then use of add-on or integrated rate enhancement
utilities such as word prediction, abbreviation
expansion and macros might speed up work.
Poor
head
control
A
person with poor head control using a standard setup
(keyboard on table in front of him and screen at 90
degrees to keyboard) often has a difficult time with
movement of his head and change of visual focus from
the keyboard, to the screen and sometimes to the
textbook or page next to the computer.
This
is especially the case if the individual is unable
to touch type, which would often be the situation
for someone with poor head control. In this
case, sometimes the best setup is having the
keyboard on the screen, close to the text being
typed. An onscreen
keyboard, accessed with a touch screen or switches
maintains the users visual focus on the screen with
little to no head movement required. The
screen should be positioned in the users best visual
field.
Developmental
delay, low
cognitive
functioning
Visual
perception
problems
Expanded,
large membrane keyboards are extremely useful in
modifying keyboards and information that is
presented to the user for input to the
computer. Instead of putting a regular
keyboard or even an alternate keyboard with about
100 keys in front of a developmentally delayed or
visually impaired user, you can create the user
interface and input system that will work best for
the person and the task.
Expanded
membrane keyboards lend themselves to a huge range
of complexities in terms of keyboard input.
They can be a simple as 4 or 5 keys for cursor
control or as complex as 200 words on a sheet of
paper. Almost anything you can design or dream
up in terms of input can be drawn up on a piece of
paper and controlled with the membrane
keyboard. These are the types of keyboard used
in point of sale applications, kiosks, restaurants
and many types of businesses due to their highly
flexible and modifiable features.
Low
vision
Speech
recognition with an add on screen reading program (KeyStone
SpeechMaster) is a viable option for people
with low vision, and reading skills above the third
grade level.
For
those where speech input is not an option, a variety
of large key keyboards, stickers to place on keys (Zoom
Caps) and color coded or textured keyboards are
available.
