Adapted and specialised keyboards
What are adapted and specialised keyboards?
For some people a standard keyboard inhibits their ability to use the computer. This may be due to them not being able to read the letters because they have visual impairments. Or some may have physical disabilities which limit their dexterity or mobility
For users with poor vision, there are keyboards with especially big keys and letters. They come in high-contrast colours to help the users recognise them. Some keyboards also use only lowercase letters. They give people a better chance of seeing the correct letters and thus improve the person’s usage of the computer.
Sticky keys
As well as bigger keys, other keyboards have sticky keys. This is where a keyboard will recognise the key press but will not repeat it if the users finger remains pressed on it. If a user keeps the ‘T’ key pressed whilst they ponder the next letter, rather than the screen filling up with Ts, it will only display the first T. For the user to select another letter ‘T’, they would have to lift their finger from the key and repress the key again.
This functionality is available on Microsoft XP PCs by running the Accessibility options in the Control panel. The keyboard tab has a 'sticky keys' section, with settings options.
More keyboard adaptions
Another simple adaptation of the standard keyboard is to change it from the standard QWERTY layout to an alphabetical format. This, combined with an all-lowercase letter set, can result in a marked improvement for students with dyslexia and learning difficulties.
More specialist keyboards also exist for users who only have the use of one hand. Such ‘handed’ keyboards are not in common circulation and are therefore relatively expensive. The standard QWERTY layout is no longer used and is replaced by an ergonomical layout of the most used keys situated nearby.
Useful links
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A range of adaptive keyboards and other assistive devices from the big keys manufacturers.
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Details about the Microsoft Sticky Keys options and guidelines on how to set them up.
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Access interventions page of the Don Johnston special needs web site.