alternative keyboards and input devices scott a. dougherty idea training & consultation...
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Alternative Keyboards and Input Devices
Scott A. Dougherty
IDEA Training & Consultation Coordinator
Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3
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The Big Disclaimers
Not a company representative Not a list of “must buys” - other products will:
Do some things in a better way Do some things in the same way Do some things in a worse way Do some totally different things
What you see is NOT all you can get We ARE dealing with silicon
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Housekeeping
Feel free to ask questions as they come to you
We will take a break mid-session, but feel free to move around
Materials are available for download at http://www.aiu3.net/
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Session Goals
Provide an overview of input devices for the computer
Demonstrate the use and application of several devices
Discuss implementation of input devices in the course of daily learning experiences
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Keyboards
Standard QWERTY Alphabetic Dvorak
Portable Large Print/Button Miniature
Keytop Overlays & Keyguards
Coded/Alternate Entry Programmable Onscreen Word prediction
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Standard Keyboards
Features Readily available Commonplace and
familiar Plug-and-play or freely
convertible via operating system
QWERTY Dvorak Alphabetic Miniature
Considerations Specialized layouts
impact generalization of skill on non-adapted computers
Plug-and-play versus programmed
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Optimizer Keyboard
Optimize key to reduce movement away from keyboard Mouse control Number pad
QWERTY format
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Tactile Pro 2.0
Replicates the feel of the old Macintosh keyboard
Available in Mac and PC versions
USB 2.0 port built into the device
Available with a pre-programmed Optimizer button (see previous slide)
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Trackball Keyboard
Standard QWERTY keyboard
Integrated pointing device
PS/2 keyboard PS/2 or USB trackball
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Versa Point RF Keyboard
Wireless configuration 100 foot range Line-of-site not
required Integrated pointing
device Available as a combo
with wireless cursor control unit
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Portable Keyboards
Features Most are standalone
word processors Reduce distractions May offer add-in
functionality Pre-programmed Download SD card
Text shared with computer via wire or wireless connection
Durability
Low power consumption
Considerations Inexpensive in
comparison to a laptop Screen size Brightness and
contrast limits Limited display fonts
and sizes
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CalcuScribe
Portable keyboard Built-in calculator Text display options
4-line 8-line
File management system Folders Menu structure
Wireless beaming to other CalcuScribes for collaboration
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Dana Portable Keyboard
Palm-based Organization tools Downloadable
software Laptop-like
functionality Large screen Backlight for use in dark
rooms Send or Sync
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Flexible Keyboard
Water resistant Low pressure to
activate Rollable for storage and
transport Available in two heights
Standard (19.6 in) Short (16.2 in)
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Folding Keyboard by Matias
Full-sized keyboard Integrated number pad
with Tab key feature Function key access
Arrow keys Page navigation Delete
Volume control keys
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Fusion Keyboard (The Writer)
Text-to-speech output Word prediction Split screen vocabulary
word lists Pre-programmed writing
prompts
Rubrics Basic Perfect Paragraph Multi-Paragraph Essay Six Traits of Writing Persuasive Essay Response to Literature Creative Writing Build-your-own
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Neo & Neo 2
Six font choices Capable of running
applets Typing tutor Word prediction Quiz software
Wired or wireless transfer of text
Saves automatically in 8 locations
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QuickPAD IR & QuickPAD Pro
Integrated typing tutor Built-in thesaurus and
word prediction Infrared connection via
dedicated receiver Password-capable
portfolio filing system to organize writing files Up to 70 pages in 10
separate folders (QuickPAD IR)
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Large Print/Button Keyboards
Features Color schemes for
ease of viewing or identification
Large “target” Clearer separation
between letters on large keys
Considerations Larger footprint Reduced key set Visually distinct from
traditional keyboards
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BigKeys LX & Keyboard Plus
Standard keyboard footprint One-inch keys LX model
60 keys Black and white keys
Plus model 48 keys Color keys Black and white keys
Variety of layouts QWERTY ABC
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Clevy Keyboard
Vertically aligned keys Keys are four times
larger than standard keys
Keys colored by function
Fewer keys than a standard keyboard
Durable – keys are switches, not membranes
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Large Print Keyboard
Standard-sized keyboard
Enlarged key font (roughly 3 times standard size) Black on yellow Black on ivory Yellow on black
Hot keys for common commands and applications
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ZoomText Keyboard
High-contrast keys White on black Yellow on black
16 programmable buttons
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Miniature Keyboards
Features Reduce “travel” for
users with small hand spans or fingers
May be useful when Fatigue is common Range of motion is
limited Only one hand is
used for key activations
Considerations Key face often features
a smaller font than a standard keyboard
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EZ-Reach Keyboard
Flat profile Vertically aligned keys Backspace and Enter
are repositioned for access by the forefinger (rather than the little finger)
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Frogpad
Wired and wireless (Bluetooth) configurations
Wearable version PDAs Handheld devices
USB version Handhelds Laptops Desktops
Left and right hand models Non-standard key
configuration (frequency-based)
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Half Keyboard
Palm-sized Left-hand only Allows user to type with
left hand and navigate pointer with right hand
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Half QWERTY Keyboard
Full-sized keyboard QWERTY arrangement
Two-handed typists Left-handed typists Right-handed typists
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Low Profile Keyboard
101 keys Integrated pointer
available Joystick Trackball
Laptop-like feel Lightweight Flat profile
(approximately one inch high)
Small frame (less than 6”x12”)
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Magic Wand Keyboard
Built-in mouse 11 speeds Left, right, & double click Click-drag
Accessible with slight head or hand movement Handheld wand Mouthstick
No force required for activation
Small profile (7” x 6” x 0.5”)
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Space Saver Keyboard
100 keys Narrow design (10.8”x6”)
Keypad, function, and arrow keys above standard alphanumerics
Two models Desk (weighted, 2.55”) Flat (unweighted, 0.75”)
Available with or without integrated touch pad
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USB Mini Keyboard by Tash
Membrane surface Keys less than ½-inch
square QWERTY layout Auditory feedback Mouse Mode key for
positioning and click functions
Adjustable features Response rate Key repeat rate Mouse tracking rate
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Ergonomic Keyboards
Features Increasingly available
(and standard) in school, home, and work environments
Reduce repetitive stress injuries by supporting more natural hand positions
Some models are adjustable
Considerations Not conducive to one-
handed typing May not fit into built-in
keyboard trays
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Contoured Keyboard by Kinesis
Two models Advantage Classic
Concave key arrangement Accommodates differing
finger lengths Prevents wrist extension
Central positioning of common “weak finger” keys Backspace Enter
Foot switch compatible
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Freestyle Keyboard by Kinesis
Adjustable, split keyboard Pivot Tether connects
both modules Driverless Hot keys (not
supported on Macs) Optional accessory
packages for increased functions
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Goldtouch Keyboard
Splits into two sections for adjustment between 0 and 30 degrees Horizontal Vertical (tenting)
Integrated numeric keypad
External numeric keypad available
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Maltron Ergonomic Keyboard
Concave key wells to accommodate differing finger lengths
Centralized number keys
Vertical alignment of key rows
Thumb keys Return Space Backspace
Shift Lock feature
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Maxim Keyboard by Kinesis
Low-force keys Horizontal and vertical
adjustments at 0, 8, or 14 degrees
Removable palm supports
Embedded numeric keypad
External numeric keypad available
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Natural Keyboard Elite by Microsoft
Keys aligned for natural wrist and arm alignment
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Tru-Form Keyboard
Split keyboard in an integrated unit
Built-in wrist support Dual keys
PC – Alt, Shift, Control, & spacebar
Mac – Command, Shift, Option, Control, & spacebar
Option of built-in touchpad
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Keytop Overlays & Keyguards
Features Adapt keyboards for
moisture-prone use Provide color cues to
emerging typists Retrofit an existing
keyboard inexpensively
Provide support for users unable to support wrists or isolate keys easily
Considerations Adhesives may leave a
residue when removed OS settings may need
to be adjusted (in cases where a keyboard is being changed to a non-QWERTY layout)
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Keyboard Skins
Protect keyboard from moisture and dust
Conforms to keyboards for a secure fit
Requires model and FCC# at time of order (to ensure proper configuration)
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Keyguards
Available in plastic or metal versions
May be easily removed, if necessary
Conforms to specific keyboard arrangments (specified at time of order)
Keyguards are often available for specialized keyboards (through the keyboard manufacturer)
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Keytop Overlays
Braille Early Learning Finger Position High Contrast Large Print Uppercase/Lowercase
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Coded/Alternate Entry Keyboards
Features Utilize chords, codes,
or pre-programmed settings
Reduce keystrokes Reduce hand
movement (travel)
Considerations Learning curve is
typical Non-intuitive
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BAT Keyboard
Left and right hand models
Single-handed keying Can be used in
addition to a standard keyboard
Free hand for Braille reading
Seven keys to perform all standard keystrokes Chord-based entry Programmable macros
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Darci USB
Adjustable, stored settings One to three switches Timing Code set
Plug-and-play (no specialized drivers)
Bus-powered for convenience and portability
Audio feedback
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EasyLink Braille Keyboard
Bluetooth Brailler 6 Braille keys 3 function keys
Compact design Highly portable 10 hours of continuous
use on battery
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EZ Keys XP Multiple layouts/entry
methods for adapted computer access Mouse Switch access
Single Multiple
Keyboard Mouse emulation
software Morse Code
Built-in features Text to speech Word prediction Abbreviation expansion
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Jouse2
Morse code joystick Control movement with
mouth, chin, cheek, or tongue
Perform mouse clicks with the integrated sip and puff switch
Emulates mouse and keyboard activations
Four user-selectable versions of Morse Code
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Lomak
Light operated mouse and keyboard Handheld pointer Head pointer
Plug-and-play Requires little physical effort Reduces accidental input
through dual input Selection confirmed by
illumination Confirm key to use
Equidistant, circular key arrangement
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Programmable Keyboards
Features Allow macros to be
programmed Allow computer input
via traditional and non-traditional means
Letter-based Word-based Phrase-based Picture-based
Highly customizable User requirements Activity requirements
Considerations Time and planning is
often required prior to use
Typically require specialized drivers (not plug-and-play)
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DX1 Keyboard
25 repositionable keys Useful when vision,
dexterity, or range of motion hinder use of other devices
Scalable – add keys when needed
Macros Programmable Pre-built Recordable
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IntelliKeys Keyboard
Built-in stand for flat or angled use
Wide variety of overlays Pre-programmed Printable Customized (with
separate Overlay Maker software)
Keyguards available Dual-switch inputs Compatible with IntelliTools
software and activities
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X Keys Stick
Programmable software Macro Works (PC) iKey (Mac)
Sixteen keys Repositionable Backlight illumination for
low-light use Legends
Pre-cut for handwrite Microsoft Templates
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X-Keys Keypad
Programmable keypad Works as an auxiliary
keyboard Two configurations
20 keys (39 macros) 58 key (115 macros)
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Onscreen Keyboards
Features Keyboard and text are
on the same plane Ability to change layout Alternate input
Mouse – click or dwell
Switch Touchscreen
Integrated word prediction and abbreviation expansion
Considerations Loss of “real estate” Fatigue and repetitive
stress May require assistance
with programming/set-up
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Clicker 5
Support or develop writing skills in “non writers”
Allows for high level of structure
Option for textless composition
Universal Design Quick, on-the-fly
changes to cell content Free, content-sharing
site
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CubeWriter
Customizable interface Letters Words Numbers Punctuation
Personalized word lists Three modes of use
Type Write Teach
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Discover:Screen by Madentec
Text-to-speech Point and click access
Letters Words Phrases
Adjunctive (works with all applications on a computer)
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IntelliTools Classroom Suite
Fully customizable Switch-ready Scanning available Compatible with
IntelliKeys USB Pre-made overlays Overlay Maker
software is required for custom overlays
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KeyStrokes
Macintosh software Five resizable layouts
Number pad Function keys Navigation QWERTY Alphabetic
Modifiable keys and background
Resizable Dwell selection
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Onscreen by IMG
Built-in supports Word prediction Calculators Macros Numeric layouts International layouts
Dwell selection Verbal Keys Feedback Show/Hide key function Smart Window repositioning Scanning option available
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REACH Interface Author by Applied Human Factor 140 preprogrammed
layouts Customizable Create-your-own
Key Size Button for quick resizing
Built-in supports Word prediction Scanning Word use learning Dwell selection
Smart Keys Removes or
deemphasizes unlikely combinations
AutoType for single-result combinations
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ScreenDoors 2000 by Madentec
Built-in features Word prediction Abbreviation
expansion Three keyboard layouts
QWERTY Alphabetic Frequency of Use
Dwell selection
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SofType
Five layouts QWERTY Alphabetic Frequency of use Numeric KidKeys Create-your-own
Resizable Size Font Spacing
Built-in features Word prediction Dwell selection Jitter control Dragger – single
switch control of mouse functions
Macro programming
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WiVik by Prentke Romich
50 layouts in 22 languages Fully customizable Repositionable Built-in features
Word prediction Abbreviation expansion Dwell selection Scanning
Automatic Step Direct
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Word Prediction
Features Rate enhancement to
reduce keystrokes Real-time display of
choices Vertical Horizontal Dynamic
Access to specialized word lists as needed
Text-to-speech capability
Considerations Adjunctive versus self-
contained word prediction
Phonetic versus sequence based
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Co:Writer
Intelligent word prediction
Flexible spelling Collected words Predict Ahead eWord Banks Basic, personal, and
topic dictionaries Text-to-speech
Neo version available Adjunctive use (may be
used with a wide range of applications)
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Cloze Pro
Type or paste prepared text Remove words
automatically or manually Word or letter recurrence Sequence Pattern
Present words in a grid or pop-up list
Prompt with word shape, word, exposed letters
Useful when etext is available
Suitable for assessment and cloze-style tasks
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Writing With Symbols 2000
Four writing environments Symbol Processor Word Processor Grids for Printing Grids for Writing
Customizable word lists Useful as a teacher or
student tool
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Soothsayer
Text-to-speech Adjunctive word
prediction AutoType Feature Abbreviation Expansion Sentence completion Automated correction of
common spelling errors
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WordQ
Text-to-speech Adjunctive word
prediction Usage examples for
confusing words Accommodates
phonetic spelling attempts
Offers the option of speech recognition via SpeakQ
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Other Input Devices
Mice Trackballs Joysticks Number Pads Switches and switch interfaces Touchscreens Head mice Microphone and speech recognition
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Other Input Devices
Mouse options Switch adapted Ergonomic Handheld
Trackballs Joysticks
Gaming Roller Joystick Roller Joystick Plus
Number Pads
Switches and Switch Interfaces Crick USB Don Johnston Switch
Interface Pro IntelliKeys USB
Keyboard Touchscreens &
monitors Head Mouse
Tracker Pro
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Speech Recognition
Utilizes a microphone to input text Requires adequate speech skills Requires significant executive
functions to maintain a topic and perform corrections/training
May allow for reduced use of the hands when controlling the computer
Consider environment and task when implementing
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Dragon Naturally Speaking, IBM Via Voice, Mac Dictate Continuous recognition Allows for keyboard-free
text input Support for adult and
teen voices Analyzes existing
documents for vocabulary and style
Noise-cancelling headset or array microphone is recommended
Skip Training option Accuracy tool set Works in an adjunct
capacity to other software
Not suitable for discrete recognition
Specialized versions available (Dragon NaturallySpeaking)
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SpeakQ
Customizable training Discrete and continuous
prediction modes Speech feedback of
recognized text No verbal commands for
control or correction Integrated word prediction
capability Text-to-speech feedback Allows for both keyboard
and speech input Server-level storage of
student voice files
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Sources of Input Devices
EnableMart http://www.enablemart.com/
Infogrip http://www.infogrip.com/
Retail office suppliers
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Questions & Evaluations
Are there questions you haven’t asked yet? What further information do you need?
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Contact Information
Scott A. DoughertyIDEA Training and Consultation
Coordinator, Assistive Technology
Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3
475 East Waterfront Drive
Homestead, PA 15120-1144
412-394-1375 ● 412-394-5992 (Fax)
Kendra BittnerIDEA Training and Consultation
Coordinator, Assistive Technology
Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3
475 East Waterfront Drive
Homestead, PA 15120-1144
412-394-5872 ● 412-394-5992 (Fax)
AIU Assistive Technology Home Pagehttp://www.aiu3.net/Level3.aspx?id=1220