Keyboards
Keyboard Adaptations
- Keyguards - coverings for the keyboard to prevent hitting the wrong keys.
- Accessibility Options, Ease of Access (Windows); Easy Access (Mac) - increase keyboarding and mouse function to improve accuracy.
Alternate Keyboards
Small or Large Size
- Mini keyboard - operated with a finger, hand-held pointer, head pointer or mouth stick. May increase efficiency over standard keyboard.
- Magic Wand - miniature, light touch keyboard operated with wand-shaped stylus.
- Big Keys - standard sized keyboard with oversized keys, available in QWERTY or alphabetical arrangement with brightly colored or white keys.
Programmable Keyboards
- Intellikeys - enlarged keyboard with overlays.
- Discover: Board - large keyboard with overlays allows key input and cursor/mouse functions.
Ergonomic or One Handed
- Comfort Keyboard - adjustable, sectional keyboard adjusts to user’s functional hand and wrist postures.
- BAT Personal Keyboard - one handed keyboard requires only downward pressure without lateral movements. It has seven keys; each letter is typed by entering a combination of keys, referred to as a chord.
- FrogPad - one-handed keyboard designed for fast data entry. The fifteen most commonly used letters are placed in the most efficient positions, eliminating unnecessary shoulder and elbow movement. Both left and right handed designs are available.
- Half-QWERTY Keyboard - specially programmed keyboard for one handed typing. The functional hand assumes the same "home" keys as before (a,s,d,f or j,k,l). To type letters on the other side, the space bar is held down. This then “flips” the keyboard, turning the Q into a P and so on. This also prevents rotation of the shoulder and stretching of the hand across the keyboard. Half-QWERTY allows the keyboard to still be used for two-handed typing without interference.
Software
On-Screen Keyboards - operated with mouse clicks or alternative devices. On screen keyboard size can be adjusted for visual and motor needs. Examples: WiVik, SofType, Screen Doors, EZKeys, Discover Screen, Onscreen, Windows Onscreen keyboard, Click n' Type.
Alternative Input
- REACH - uses an onscreen keyboard modified by size, color, shape and arrangement. Options and features allow for a flexible access method. This can also be combined with Scanbuddy which activates mouse control through a single switch; and/or SmartKeys which customizes keys and creates Smart Lists, a word prediction system.
- Discover Suite - uses a customized keyboard, switch scanning software or switch access. Any switch, alternative keyboard or mouse device can be combined with standard or custom setups. Several options and features are available.
- Intellikeys USB - programmable customizable keyboard that can also act as a switch port.
- DARCI USB - offers control over all computer functions using switches with Morse code, joysticks and pointing devices.
- EZ Keys for Windows - offers full computer access using an on-screen keyboard with word prediction, mouse capabilities via Radar Mouse and communication software.
- New Abilities UCS 1000 - uses tongue activation via a device that fits into the mouth.
- Head Operated Mouse - uses a pointing device, placed on the forehead or glasses, and a sensor, replacing the standard mouse for people who cannot use their hands. The mouse pointer moves in response to head movement, but requires controlled head movements. Works with Dwell software or alternate switches.
Examples: Tracker One, HeadMouse Extreme, Smart NAV. - LOMAK (Light Operated Mouse and Keyboard) - head or hand held laser is pointed at a keyboard and the user selects a letter or mouse function by pointing the laser at the appropriate spot. This is generally better for people with shaky movement than the Head Operated Mouse (above).
- Mouth Operated Mouse - uses the lips and or tongue to operate a joystick. Clicking is accomplished through sip or puff on the device. Examples: Jouse, Quadjoy, Tetra Mouse.
- Eyegaze Systems - uses a digital camera pointed at the eyeball. As the eye moves to different points on the computer screen, a mouse or selection method follows it. Clicking is activated by blinking or dwelling. These devices are often combined with other technology. Examples: Quick Glance, ERICA, My Tobii.
- Cyberlink - uses brain waves and brain activity for movement of the cursor or activation of a switch. This system is harder to learn than others and requires good cognitive skills.
- Scanning Software for the Mouse - uses a switch to control movement of the mouse cursor. A single or dual switch will allow the mouse to be placed through scanning on the screen.
Examples: CrossScanner. Scanbuddy.