Page 125 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

Chapter 5 • Alternative Access Technologies 113

• It can be helpful to physically separate the keyboard from the computer screen – for
example, a user with low muscle tone may benefit from accessing a small keyboard
located close to their torso, with the tablet positioned on a stand or desk at an
appropriate ergonomic height for viewing.

Difficulty in accessing the keyboard can result in greater physical effort and concentra-
tion, can slow down access and can cause frustration. Sometimes, relatively simple and
inexpensive adjustments are all that are required and avoid the need to employ more com-
plex and costly access technologies.
For some users, adjusting seating or the position of the device are sufficient measures
to enable access. Some users may have less accurate finger or hand control or may access
keys unintentionally and may require adaptations to the keyboard or adjustments to the
response.
As well as adaptations to standard interfaces, alternative keyboards and interfaces are
available. These include miniature and ‘expanded’ keyboards as well as devices designed
on ergonomic principles.

Keyboard Connections

Keyboards typically connect to devices using USB, Bluetooth or a wireless adapter. USB
keyboards can connect to Windows, MacOS and Android devices but not directly to
iPads; Bluetooth keyboards can be used with iPads or other devices that have Bluetooth
built in; and some keyboards and mice are supplied with a (non-Bluetooth) USB wire-
less adapter.

Keyboard Accessibility Options
On most devices, the response of the keyboard can be adjusted to accommodate different
physical and visual needs.
The typical options available are given in Table 5-1. We use the terminology that is cur-
rently employed by Microsoft, Apple and Google for Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android/
Chromebook devices.
These settings must be carefully adjusted to suit individual users – this usually requires
some trial and error. The physical condition, such as muscle tone and motor coordination,
of some users may change from day to day or over a longer period of time, so it is impor-
tant to monitor use of the keyboard on a regular basis and make adjustments to the filter
and other settings accordingly.

Jack’s Case Study
Jack has cerebellar ataxia, which affects his fine motor coordination and causes tremor.
He finds that a compact keyboard with a keyguard improves his access significantly. He
requires the Repeat Delay and Rate set to 0.5 s to avoid unwanted repeated letters, and
Sticky Keys to generate shifted keys and control commands, because he cannot hold down
two keys at once.