Module 3: Keyboard and Touchscreen Modifications

Module 3 Keyboard and Touchscreen Modifications

Traditional keyboard-and-mouse combinations, as well as the touch-sensitive screens found on tablets and smartphones, can pose a serious barrier for users with motor disabilities. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of assistive technology making computer input possible for people with even severe motor disabilities.

Software

Both Windows and Mac OS have built-in accessibility options that allow the user to customize the way their keyboards handle input.

  • Sticky Keys allow the user to operate the modifier keys (Shift, Ctrl and Alt) using only one finger. The modifier key is treated by the computer as being "held down" until the next key is pressed. 
  • MouseKeys allow the user to move around the screen by using the numeric keypad instead of a mouse.
  • Switch Control enable alternative navigation of the screen using a combination of scanning and a variety of adaptive devices.
  • Mouse Keys permit control of the cursor using the number keypad.
  • Slow Keys builds in a delay between when the key is pressed and when the character is entered, and can also be used to play a tone when the key is entered.

Hardware

  • Keyguards can be physically overlaid on keyboards to prevent pressing multiple keys at once, and allow users to rest their hands on the keyboard without pressing additional keys.
  • Small keyboards fit between the arms of a keyboard and are more convenient for single-handed users.
  • Large-key keyboards assist with key location.
  • Chord keyboards have a small number of keys and respond to different combinations of keys pressed at the same time. They work well for users with one hand who have independent use of their fingers.
  • Sip-and-puff (SNP) devices give users the ability to perform keyboard entry and mouse movements using mouth-controlled input.
  • Eye- and Head- Tracking features built into Windows Links to an external site. and Mac Links to an external site. operating systems work with specialized headsets to provide input via eye and head movements.