Page 127 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

Chapter 5 • Alternative Access Technologies 115

at around 10 words per minute (WPM), and has complete independent access to his lap-
top. This system, with digital versions of his learning materials, enabled him to access the
curriculum and participate fully, and independently, at his mainstream school.
Keyguards

A keyguard is a metal or plastic plate secured over the keyboard or device with holes cut
into its surface. The keyguard helps to prevent keys from being accidentally pressed while
the user’s hand moves over the keyboard to locate the desired target. It allows the user to
rest a hand on the guard before activating a key. Keyguards can be extremely effective for
many users with tremor or poor accuracy, and they are relatively inexpensive and readily
available. Keyguards are commercially available with and for standard and compact key-
boards (Figs. 5-6–5-8).
Manufacturers of specialised assistive technologies such as voice output communication
aids and environmental control systems usually offer keyguards with a range of grid sizes.
3
2
A small number of suppliers (e.g., Lasered Pics in North America, Logan Technologies
4
in the United Kingdom, Communicate AT in Australia ) offer laser-cut keyguards specifi-
cally for particular models of tablets and communication aids apps.
Compact Keyboards

Young children or users with a limited range of hand movement as a result of, for exam-
ple, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, arthrogryposis or motor neuron disease, who

FIGURE 5-6 Compact keyboard and keyguard�

2 Lasered Pics Assistive Technologies: http://www.laseredpics.biz/.
3 Logan Technologies: https://www.logan-technologies.co.uk/.
4 Communicate AT: http://www.communicateat.com.au/.