On-screen keyboards
What is an on-screen keyboard?
An on-screen keyboard (or virtual keyboard) is a utility that displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen enabling people with mobility impairments to type or input information by using a pointing device or joystick.
They are ideal for people who physically cannot move their head down to look at a keyboard and then back up to the computer screen.
Similar to a standard keyboard, the on-screen keyboard can be used to type text or numbers into standard computing programs such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, e-mail, the Internet and drawing programs.
In most cases an on-screen keyboard will appear to float on the screen allowing the user to position it in a way that best suits their needs, for example at the top or bottom of the screen. Some on-screen keyboards are ‘scalable’ which means that they can be resized on the screen.
Access features
There are also on-screen keyboards which offer a range of access features, for example, a user can select items on the keyboard by pointing and clicking or by simply pointing and hovering (or dwelling) the mouse pointer over individual keys or items on the keyboard until the chosen key is registered. On the Windows 2000 and XP On-Screen keyboard, it is possible to set different timing options when using the hover mode.
There are also on-screen keyboards that have a built-in feature called scanning, i.e. the keyboard is controlled via a switch (or button) access system allowing a user with more complex difficulties to select items and keys by scanning the keyboard horizontally and/or vertically. The main groups of users who would use these options are people with limited hand movement, or someone who experiences difficulties with fine or gross motor skills.
Enabling independent control
On-screen keyboards can be particularly useful for people who have poor upper limb and arm movement but have good head control and are able to use a head-pointing device, such as an infra-red pointing device.
Increasingly, on-screen keyboards feature word prediction which allows for increased speed and greater accuracy for inputting text. In some cases, on-screen keyboards provide full access to all the features on a computer such as, opening and closing applications, editing text, saving documents etc, thereby giving people with more complex difficulties greater independent control over their computer.
Useful links
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Access interventions page of the Don Johnston special needs web site.
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AbilityNet is a national charity which provides impartial advice on a range of disability and technology related issues. If you are new to on-screen keyboards then a useful starting point is the On-Screen Keyboard within Windows 2000 and XP. AbilityNet provide an easy to use step-by-step guide on getting to grips with the Windows On-Screen Keyboard. The guide shows you how to use it with a mouse or a switch and how to set timings to meet the needs of different users.
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The CALL Centre website offers a comprehensive overview of on-screen keyboards with information on the general concept of on-screen keyboards and how they can be used with pointing devices or switches. The 'Using On-screen Keyboards to Access the Curriculum' section gives guidance and examples on using on-screen keyboards to access three core areas of the curriculum: writing and recording work; reading and accessing sources of information; and talking and communicating. The Reviews of On-screen Keyboards section reviews the most popular on-screen keyboard programs available in the UK.
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The WiViK on-screen keyboard provides access to a range of Microsoft Windows applications as an alternative to a standard computer keyboard, for example, point and click/dwell selection of on-screen keyboard keys with any pointing device, configurable switch-based scanning, word prediction, abbreviation expansion and speech output. It is possible to download a 30-day trial version of WiViK to try out for yourself.
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Click-N-Type is an on-screen virtual keyboard designed for anyone with a disability that prevents him or her from typing on a standard computer keyboard. One of the great benefits of this website is that the Click-N-Type on-screen keyboard is absolutely free. Click-N-Type allows people with a disability who can use a mouse, trackball or other pointing device, to send keystrokes to virtually any Windows application. Additionally, the keyboard offers a number of features often found on more expensive on-screen keyboards, for example, a variety of language packs, word prediction, scanning, alphabet and QWERTY layout and macro options to help users access Windows applications faster and more efficiently. The Click-N-Type keyboard can be resized to meet individual preferences.
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Although Penfriend is better known for its prediction software programs, both Penfriend XP and XL feature easy-to-use and scalable on-screen keyboards. It is also possible to customise the keyboards in terms of background colour, font colour and style etc. Coupled with the standard features within Penfriend, such as prediction, customised dictionaries and speech feedback, the on-screen keyboard provides a valuable means of access.