ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY is defined by TTAC Online (2004) as "the use of an item, piece of equipment, or product system, ...that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disablities." One item that can be adapted many different ways is the computer keyboard.

A variety of adaptations can be made to keyboards

There are several inexpensive ideas for adapting the computer keyboard that do not require the use of technology in order to meet the needs of students. Some adaptations can be done to the keys on the keyboard; whereas others can be done to the keyboard itself.

Adaptations for the keys include:

• Using letter stick-ons with enlarged letters. (Use Avery stick-on labels in bright colors or print out the enlarged keyboard letters.)
• Adding sandpaper or felt to keys.
• Using stick-on earrings to mark specific keys.

Adaptations for the keyboard:

• Using rubber shelf liner or slip stop for rugs to hold keyboards in place.
• Using saran wrap as a moisture guard.
• Using a shoe box lid with holes cut in it as a keyguard. 

The Universal Access screen in the Apple operating system. Click here to go to the Apple Accessibility Page.

Both Microsoft and Apple have keyboard accessibility options built into the operating software. Although each operating system has accessiblity tools, Apple's OS is more user friendly and more extensive in its capability.

Universal Access is a system preference in the Apple OS; one feature of it is "sticky keys." When this feature is turned on, the user can press a series of modifier keys as a sequence. The system will recognize the sequence as if all of the keys have been pressed at once.

Another feature of Universal Access is an on screen notification of keys that have been pressed. This visual aid not only notifies users of keys pressed but also a great tool for learning where keys are on the keyboard.

The "slow keys" feature in the Apple OS puts a delay between when a key is pressed and when it is accepted. This is for users who have slow reflexes and may leave their fingers on a key for an extended amount of time. It will show the key press as a single character instead of a string of the same character.

The Microsoft accessibility tools are located in two different places—the accessories menu and the control panel. Microsoft offers the sticky key function as well as "filter keys." Filter keys are equal to Apple's slow key option.

Some resources for purchase of keyboard adaptation products:

Large Print Stickers and Adaptations for Keyboards
http://www.language-keyboard.com/large-letter.htm
Order Keyboards Adapted for a User
http://www.specialneedscomputers.ca/kb-vision.htm
Keyboards Layout for Different Languages
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout#Keyboard_structure
Order a Variety of Keyboard Labels
http://www.hooleon.com/index.htm

Jennifer Landry, Graduate Student
SDSU Educational Technology

Landry, J. (2005). Adapting keyboards for multiple disabilities. In B. Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Technology.