Home PublicationsL&LIssuesVolume 37 (2009-2010) February (No.5)

Buyer's Guide

By Paul Wurster

The vast selection of custom keyboards on the market today allows nearly everyone to enter data and navigate computer applications, regardless of physical or cognitive disabilities. There are keyboards specially designed for young students, struggling learners, those with partial or no vision, and people with limited range of motion or lack of fine-motor skills.

To aid visual impairment, some units have keys with large letters on them as well as colored or extra-large keys. The BigKeys LX, for example, comes with keys that are one-inch square, a simplified QWERTY or ABC format, colored or white keys, and large black or white lettering to clearly mark each key.

Many options also exist for people with limited movement. The FrogPad is a portable, one-handed keyboard with a custom layout that provides all the functionality of a standard keyboard in half the space. The Magic Wand keyboard is a miniature QWERTY that doesn’t require reach, strength, or dexterity. Because the wand is wired to the unit, it requires just a touch to select a character. Zero-force keys placed closely together require only the slightest head or hand movement to trigger. AbleNet’s USB Mini is one example of a frequency-of-use keyboard that combines key and mouse functions at the center of the layout. Users toggle from mouse to keyboard with a keystroke combination.

Many manufacturers offer layouts other than the standard QWERTY, and some keyboards are even programmable. Teachers can slide overlays onto the typing surface of IntelliTool’s IntelliKeys to create keyboards for different students and curriculum areas. The design of the overlays provides large, spaced keys in high-contrast colors to help students locate letters, numbers, words, and directional arrows.

Onscreen keyboards let users customize the layout and choose their method of entry. Numerous mouth-activated sip-and-puff controllers, and feet- or head-controlled switches help students make keystrokes on these virtual keyboards. Origin Instrument’s SofType can control a mouse click with its adjustable "dwell" feature (actuated by holding a pointer motionless), and it offers word completion with customizable word lists.

Ergonomic keyboards come in many unusual shapes and sizes. The orbiTouch, shown here, doesn’t even require fingers. Its two domes slide into different combinations of eight zones to type a character. The Darci USB is a Morse code interface designed to provide mouthstick access for individuals with upper extremity disabilities.

Many accessories are also available for standard and custom keyboards. Keyguards help prevent unintentional keystrokes by allowing students to rest their hands on the keyboard and press keys through holes. Many units have built-in "sticky key" functionality that triggers two keys with one stroke. Large print and Braille keytop labels are also available to help those with visual impairment use a standard keyboard.

Adaptive Keyboards

—Paul Wurster is L&L’s managing editor.

Copyright © 2010, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), 1.800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 1.541.302.3777 (Int'l), iste@iste.org, www.iste.org. All rights reserved.

Learning & Leading with Technology | February 2010