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Alternative Keyboards and Mice
Many new types of keyboards are available
today to accommodate someone with limited mobility, decreased tactile
sensory in the hands, and visual or cognitive disabilities.
Expanded Keyboards for Apple II+, IIGS, Macintosh
were designed for use by persons with severe motor disabilities,
such as cerebral palsy. The expanded waterproof keyboards are 1-inch
thick, weigh six-eight pounds, and have 1.5-inch square keys that
give tactile and auditory feedback when pressed. No other connections,
plug-in cards, special software, or power supplies are required
and key guards are available. Also available:
expanded keyboards for IBM PC and Compatibles. See the
EKEG Electronics Co. Ltd. Web site:http://www.ekegelectronics.com/
MALTRON adaptive
keyboards are designed to enable people with special needs to enter
computer data much more easily and quickly than with conventional
keyboards. Maltron manufactures single-handed keyboards,
single-finger keyboards, head/mouth stick keyboards, and
expanded keyboards for physically disabled and visually impaired
users
http://www.maltron.com/
Large print keyboards for users
with low vision have easy touch keystrokes with membrane technology.
The keyboards are IBM/Windows compatible and include Windows keys
and a one-year warranty by Key Connection, Inc.
Visit: www.customkeys.com
HandsOFF! is an on-screen keyboard available
through Zygo Industries, Inc. designed for people with motoric
disabilities. It is an emulator for Microsoft Windows that works
with switches. It works with several on-screen keyboards, including
the full range of mouse controls. The keyboards can use text or
graphics and key selection can perform actions, macro functions,
and speech output, both synthesized and digitally recorded. A full
range of switch parameters is supported. Visit: http://www.zygo-usa.com
FrogPad single-hand keyboards
http://www.frogpad.com
The FrogPad™ mobile keypad with 20 full-size key layout uses most frequently used characters. Either a right or left-handed users can access an entire keyboard with one hand. Following a training period, users of FrogPad get used to the location of characters. FrogPad works with any international language set.
Mouse movement is easy to emulate.
They take the form of switches, buttons, joysticks, track balls,
infrared remotes, head-pointers, brainwaves, eye movement, voice
activation, and alternative keyboards. Here are but a few:
The Director II by Prentke Romich Co. is
a learning infrared remote control that can be operated by a speech-output
communication device, making it a good choice for many augmentative
communicators. It's also very useful to those with limited mobility
because one can also use a Director II to operate the television
or VCR, stereo, etc. Using the infrared receiver as a wireless link,
Director II can send text, keyboard, and mouse commands to a computer. Go to: http://www.prentrom.com
If a person can lightly touch an object, he or
she can use a BIG Baby Button by RJ Cooper and Associates—a
large, seven-inch round switch with a switch interface built into
it that connects directly to a Macintosh or personal computer to
work as a mouse click.Visit: http://www.rjcooper.com
The Darci Too by WesTest Engineering Corporation is an extremely
versatile device for people with limited mobility. It is a keyboard
emulator that features five different operating modes (Morse, Scan,
Darci Code, Matrix Keyboard, and Communication Aids). It also can
be controlled by five different input devices; comes with completely
adjustable timing and provides transparent access to all keyboard
and mouse functions on IBM, Apple, and Macintosh computers.
See: http://www.westest.com
The Discover:Switch is an old faithful
by Don Johnston that's been enhanced. It is based on Ke:nx
technology, but made easier than earlier versions. The Discover:Switch
works with Macintosh computers for people with physical disabilities.
It is a talking switch that connects to a computer for easy access
to programs. Discover:Switch comes with ready-made files matching
popular programs, talking files for multi-sensory use and a graphics
library. Visit: http://www.donjohnston.com
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