Keyboards

Dr. Bishop is trying out a device which allows you to press buttons using a cap-mounted pointer.

BAT Personal Keyboard

• One-handed input device
• Combinations of keys, or "chords," used to enter information
• Reduces hand strain and fatigue
• Manufacturer: Infogrip, Inc. ($199)

WACOM Graphics Tablet

http://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/~kgs20/VideoConferencing.html   

• Works as a substitute for a standard computer mouse.

• Allows more precise and natural movement of the mouse cursor, using a pen/stylus tool.

• Allows freedom of movement. 

• Manufacturer: Wacom ($350)

AlphaSmart 2000

www.ldresources.com/articles/ alphasmart_libraries.html

• Text editor and keyboard. 
• Allows for word processing, calculator functions, keyboarding instruction, outlining and word prediction
• Manufacturer: AlphaSmart, Inc.($400)

Big Keys Plus

http://www.granada-learning.com/home/catalog/jsps/product.jsp?product=90&group=340   

• Keys are 1 sq. inch- 4X bigger than on regular keyboards
• Made in alphabetical or the standard QWERTY layout
• Smaller learning curve for those new to computers or who have difficulty using regular keyboards
• BigKeys Co. ($160)

DataDesk

http://www.drtoy.com/drtoy/99best/data_desk.htm   

• Smaller keys, lower range of motion required
• Track ball eliminates need for separate mouse
• About 2/3 width of regular keyboards
• DataDeskTech ($70)

WinMini Keyboard

www.kmd.nl/pages/nederland/produkten/ winmini/winmini.htm

• Compact design
• One-handed keyboard with mouse functions
• The keys may be activated by mouth stick, head pointer or finger

• Small size ensures that only a small range of movement is needed to access the entire keyboard.

• Made in frequency-of-use in addition to regular QWERTY arrangement

Dvorak Keyboard

www.washington.edu/computing/ atl/DOCS/atl2.html

• Right- and Left-Handed versions

• Easier to learn to use than QWERTY keyboards

• Frequency-of-use arrangement

Maltron

www.handy.no/tastaturer/ Maltronenhand.htm

• Made in left- and right-handed versions (right-handed version shown above
• The Maltron Right-handed keyboard is designed to accommodate either a user without use of their left hand, or a user that needs their left hand to be free for other tasks.
• The keyboard is in a well shape design with a special key arrangement.
• The function keys are at the top of the keyboard and the numeric keypad is located on the left side.
• The most commonly used keys are located in the center of the "well", reducing finger travel causing fatigue and stress.
• The keyboard has a very small downward tilt to one side to prevent wrist ache.
• The keyboard should be arrange so that the thumb key corner touches the lower edge of the table and the bottom edge of the keyboard slants at 35 degrees upward, away from the user.

• Manufacturer: Maltron, Ltd. ($500)

Other Devices

(top left)

• Retro-reflective dots- these go along with the Tracker head mouse.  Light from the tracker reflects off the dots and hits a sensor in the tracker.  The tracker figures out where the light came from to figure out  how the person moved their head, and then how to move the mouse.

(middle, clockwise)

• Pillow switch- connects to switch interface, necessitates less motor control.   
• Membrane switch- touched lightly to operate.  Often used as a tongue switch.
• Mouse device with separate controls for each direction
• Joystick
• PalmMouse (see below)
• Star Mouse- each block indicates a different direction and central block is used for clicking

• This is a simple device which allows the user to make mechanical movements on the keyboard using the pencil

Penny Giles Joystick Plus

www.atn.on.ca/aaccl.htm

• A keyguard isolates buttons for click, double click, and button-down for mouse dragging. 
• A built-in switch interface allows a mouse button to be replaced by a switch. 
• Synapse Adaptive ($415)

www.acciinc.com/Computer%20Access/ alternative_mouse.htm

Palm Mouse

http://www.niad.sussex.ac.uk/product_details.cfm?ID=1582

• Hand-held mouse
• Light touch required
• Fujitsu ($85)

Renaissance Mouse

www.abilitycorp.com.au/products/ pointing_devices.htm

• Reduces stress to the nerve in the carpal tunnel and to the muscles in the user's arm.
• The Renaissance Mouse by 3M is a mouse rather than a joystick ?the stick does not move in isolation from the rest of the unit. The whole device moves around the desk. The ball is located underneath, just like an ordinary mouse. Two sizes are available for this innovative product.
• The thumb is used to access a two-way rocker button for left and right click functions.
• The PC version has a third button to control a scrolling feature or other programmable features.
• 3M ($80)

No-Hands Mouse

http://www.a1productivity.com/graphics/nohands.jpg

• Foot-controlled mouse
• Good for those with upper body mobility impairments, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Worklink, Inc. ($299)