Question: What is a one-handed keyboard and where do I get one?
Answer: Users with little or no use of both hands can benefit from using a
keyboard that has a layout which utilizes the most frequently used keys in
close proximity to each other. These are called a left-hand or right-hand Dvorak
layout. Custom keytop labels (http://www.hooleon.com/) are affixed to either
a standard keyboard or to a small-footprint keyboard. The user must also inform
the operating system of the desired keyboard layout (http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/dvorak.htm).
Keytime (www.keytime.com) has training material for users to learn these alternative
one-handed layouts.
Question: How do you scan in text to make it available in an alternative format for blind users or those with reading disabilities?
Answer: Scan/read software utilizes a number of otherwise separate applications to make hard copy text available in an audible format. The software initially scans the hard copy page to make an image file of the page. Next, the application does Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the image by scanning for recognizable text/numeric characters; finally, the application takes this computer recognizable text and puts it through a text-to-speech engine using synthesized speech to “read” out loud the content via the computer’s sound card.
Question: We’ve got a student with low vision that needs some sort of
technology to help him/her see in the lab/classroom. What options are there?
Answer: In addition to CCTV devices which are good for magnifying flat, 2-dimensional objects, there are tools that can be used to examine and magnify three-dimensional objects like the Clarity Classmate (http://www.clarityaf.com/Classmate.htm) or devices to affix to a microscope to project the magnified image onto an external monitor.
Question: Which screen reader do you use and why?
Answer: A number of organizations for the blind have tested the various screen readers that are available. JAWS and Window Eyes have been the dominant/best of those comparison tests. JAWS is made by Freedom Scientific (www.freedomscientific.com) while Window Eyes is made by GW Micro (www.gwmicro.com).
Question: What is an onscreen keyboard and keyboard emulation?
Answer: For those for which a keyboard is not accessible due to mobility limitations, an alternative is available called “keyboard emulation”. This presents a graphic representation of a keyboard on the desktop screen. The user has a number of ways to make key selections, including mouse pointing/clicking and switch-based control while the application automatically scans through the various choices.
Question: What are the considerations to be aware of when choosing speech recognition
as an alternative form of data input?
Answer: Many users can benefit from the use of speech recognition to do data input and computer command/control operations. The user must have clear and consistent speech in order to have his/her words understood consistently by the computer.
Question: What is a keyguard?
Answer: A keyguard is a device that fits over a standard computer keyboard for users with various mobility impairments that would make keyboard use otherwise inaccessible. Specifically, it allows the user to hit only one key at a time. The device is usually made of plastic or metal, with hole centered over the individual keys. The user can rest his/her hand on the keyguard and press a finger or pointer device, through the desired hole without making errant keystrokes on adjacent keys. These devices are custom made to match a particular keyboard make/model.
Question: What alternatives to the computer mouse are available?
Answer: In addition to using a mouse to point and click in the graphic user interface, users may instead use a touchpad, joystick, trackball, headpointer, or a switch-based mouse emulation program.
Touchpads have a small rectangular surface that the user moves a finger over to guide the cursor/pointer. Some touchpads have custom programmable buttons in addition to the standard right and left mouse buttons. These are useful for drag-and-drop operations otherwise inaccessible by users with limited mobility/motor control.
Joystick devices are similar to the controllers used to steer a wheelchair. They too have customizable buttons as listed in the touchpad section.
Trackball devices are akin to an upside down mouse, where the user rolls a ball to move the cursor/pointer. These too, come with custom/programmable buttons.
A number of devices exist which use the motion of the user’s head or eyes, to move the cursor/pointer on the screen. Mouse clicks can be carried out with sip-and-puff switches, manual button switches, or by dwelling on the desired target for a specific length of time.
Mouse emulation programs will allow the user to use a simple switch interface to control the direction of the mouse and standard right/left click functions all via the click of a switch.