Keyboard Access for People with Mobility Problems

A mobility impaired person may find the keyboard to be the biggest obstacle to computing. Fortunately, a wide array of options is available to those who lack the dexterity or range of motion necessary to operate a standard keyboard. Pointers can be held in the mouth or mounted to a hat or headgear and used to press keys on a standard keyboard. A person unable to use hands for typing can reposition the keyboard on the floor, to use the feet instead.

Buyers should evaluate the built-in accessibility features of current operating systems before purchasing a complex keyboard option. For instance, the current versions of Microsoft Windows contain a variety of accessibility settings to make a standard keyboard easier to use. StickyKeys allows keystrokes that are usually entered simultaneously to be entered sequentially, suited for a person who has a single finger or mouth-stick. FilterKeys can eliminate repeated keystrokes for a person who tends to keep a key pressed down too long. Experimenting with different time delays can ensure optimum effect.

To ease text entry, consider using the features common in popular word processors. The AutoCorrect feature of Word allows sentences or blocks of text to be represented by unique and brief letter sequences. For increasing typing speed and accuracy, enter abbreviations of long words into the AutoCorrect settings.

A keyguard is a plastic or metal shield that fits over a standard keyboard. The holes drilled into the guard helps an individual with poor dexterity or hand control to press only the desired key without accidentally pressing other keys. Keyguards are available from a variety of manufacturers (e.g., Don Johnston, TechAble).

There are alternative keyboards for persons who cannot effectively operate a regular keyboard despite changing settings or using a keyguard. Mini-keyboard (Tash) is suited for people who have limited range of motion. A person with good range of motion and poor dexterity can use a keyboard with extra-large keys (e.g., IntelliTools). Several vendors offer an array of alternative keyboards, including those that are configured to relieve the effects of RSI (e.g., Infogrip).

The utility of the virtual keyboard must be evaluated when physical activation of a keyboard is not possible either through changing the settings or by switching to an alternative keyboard. A virtual keyboard appears on the computer screen as a picture of a keyboard. A mouse, trackball or alternative pointing system activates the keys on the screen and inserts the appropriate keystrokes into the desired program. A person can enter text by clicking on specific keys on the keyboard image. Modifier keys, as well as the function keys, can also be accessed. To increase entry speed, some virtual keyboards incorporate word prediction and may include alternate layouts in addition to the traditional “QWERTY” layout found on standard keyboards.

Source: University of Washington