Alternative Keyboards

Alternative keyboards come in diverse shapes and sizes. Keyboards may be designed for single-handed use, and may be smaller, or they may be differently contoured or have alternative layout to optimise typing speed.

Compact Keyboards

Reduced size or contracted keyboards reduce the range of movement required to reach all keys on a standard keyboard.

Cherry Compact Keyboard

The Cherry Compact keyboard

Expanded Keyboards

Enlarged or expanded keyboards provide a larger surface area for locating or targeting keys, where the size of the keys may be enlarged, or keys may be grouped or organised differently in order to facilitate access.
Big Keys Keybpard
Big Keys Keyboard

One-Handed Keyboards

One-handed keyboards are designed for individual with functional use of one hand, in that they reduce the distance needed to access all keys on the keyboards.

Customised Keyboards

Customised or concept keyboards allow for the use of pictures or symbols to support keyboard access. Keyboards can also be designed to suit the individual needs of the user.

Discovery Board     Intellikeys Keyboard
Discover board and Intellikeys Keyboards

 

Other things to consider:

  • Keyguards, which are usually a grid placed over the keyboard, facilitate the accurate selection of keys by isolating and selecting a key, and providing support to the users hand while typing.
  • Keyguards
  • Alphabetic Vs Qwerty layouts
  • Lower vs. upper case letters on the keyboard – lower case letters may be more readily recognised by children. 
  • High Visibility Stickers – these can be attached to a standard keyboard to increase the functionality for visually impaired users. 

 High visability stickers

Accessibility features:

  • Sticky keys – reduces the need to hold down keys simultaneously
  • Filter keys – prevents repetition of keystrokes if the user has difficulty in releasing the key
  • Autotext – stores frequently repeated blocks of texts.
  • Keyboard shortcuts – allows access to Windows functions through the keyboard

More Information