Alternative Keyboards

Many students with disabilities are unable to use the standard keyboard in which alternatives must be utilized. A wide variety of alternative keyboards make a computer accessible to almost every student. There are different categories of keyboards: expanded keyboards; mini-keyboards; one-handed keyboards; and on-screen keyboards. The following table discusses each keyboard and whom each type is most appropriate. 

Alternative Keyboard	Type	Student Characteristics
Expanded Keyboards	QWERTY Layout	·      Poor fine motor control ·      Need a large target area ·      Want a similar layout as peers
	Alphabetical Layout	·      Young ·      Have cognitive deficits ·      Poor fine motor control
	Overlays	·      Poor fine motor control ·      Need a large target area ·      Require nonstandard layout
Mini-keyboards	QWERTY Layout	·      Restricted range of motion ·      Only one hand use ·      Have good targeting skills ·      Want a similar layout as peers
	Frequency-of-use Layout	·      Restricted range of motion ·      Only one hand use ·      Have good targeting skills ·      Need to increase keyboarding speed ·      Willing to learn
One-handed Keyboards	Half- QWERTY	·      Good dexterity in one hand
	One-handed Dvorak	·      Good dexterity in one hand ·      Willing to learn
	Chorded Keyboards	·      Good dexterity in one hand ·      No range of motion ·      Can remember chords
On-screen Keyboards		·      Cannot use a keyboard ·      Can control a mouse or mouse emulator
Customizable	QWERTY keyboards with programmable keys	·      Can use a standard keyboard ·      Need access to a limited number of customized tasks or commands
	Customizable- interchangeable overlays	·      Need modifications to standard overlays ·      Have cognitive deficits ·      Find the standard keyboard too confusing or distracting ·      Benefit from overlays customized to match educational tasks or specific computer programs
	Customizable on-screen keyboards	·      Cannot use a keyboard ·      Can control a mouse or mouse emulator ·      Find it easier to locate keys on-screen than on a keyboard ·      Need modifications to provided layouts ·      Have cognitive deficits ·      Find the standard keyboard too confusing or distracting

The following blog will discuss the major types of mouse emulators, and the characteristics of students for whom each type would be appropriate. 

Sources:

Dell, A., Newtown, D., & Petroff, J. (2012). Assistive technology in the classroom . (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey : Pearson Education.