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Before You Consider Adaptive
Technology: Options for One Hand Typing and Keyboarding
by Lilly Walters, best selling author, and one hand
typist.
For more articles like this
visit
https://www.bridges4kids.org.
Those of us in rehabilitation therapy help children and adults
with disabilities enhance their lives, increase their
independence and productivity. Teaching keyboarding is one of
the most basic, and useful skills needed to succeed in the
workplace and in school. In addition, practicing the keyboard
can help people regain or improve motor skills in their hands.
In our world of terrific technologies, we happily embrace the
new alternatives. But there is something glaringly wrong in that
circle of embrace for the one hand typist.
When considering which alternative is best, you must answer
these questions first:
-
How fast will the user be able to
type once they are accomplished?
-
How long will it take them to
learn?
-
Will the manufacturer of the
alternative be around in 10 years?
-
Will the user stay with the
alternative? Or will the prefer to 'fit in' with their peers who
either do not use a keyboard, or hunt and peck slowly on the
normal keyboard?
I have seven books in the
marketplace. I typed every word myself, and I use one hand on a
NORMAL keyboard (no adaptive equipment). I am filled with a
great deal of smug pride when I see members of my work team -
who are all two handed - struggling with a task on the computer,
and I am able to walk right over to their keyboards and say,
"Here, let me show you how ... " A feeling I would not have if
an alternative to the normal keyboard had been pushed on me as a
child.
Although I don't even like to mention them (because I feel
strongly only two options should be suggested) for those with a
hand disability there are actually many alternatives to consider
for those who have good use of one hand.
I'll divide these into four categories. If the one handed user
wishes to become adept at using a keyboard, and possibly
pursuing technology careers that center around this important
skill, you need to know what these options are. Perhaps you too
will arrive at my conclusions, and discard all but the two I
have come to embrace: One Hand QWERTY, and Half QWERTY.
THE FOUR CATEGORIES OF ONE HAND KEYBOARDING OPTIONS
-
Use the standard keyboard - One
Hand QWERTY
-
One hand adaptive/alternative
keyboards (like Half QWERTY, Maltron, and the Bat)
-
Alternative keyboard layouts (like
Half QWERTY and One Hand Dvorak)
-
Voice activation/voice recognition
software
1) The Standard keyboard - One
Hand QWERTY
QWERTY is the term used for the standard keyboard used by
99% of the English speaking world (see the keys on your keyboard
starting at the Q in the upper left corner.) One Hand QWERTY
takes the one strong hand, and has it use FGHJ as home base. The
thumb operates the space bar. If possible, the less able hand
operates the mouse, TAB and SHIFT. This system allows the user
to compete in any mainstream environment. The user can go to any
computer, at work or at play, and operate the keyboard normal
immediately. They are able to look over the shoulder of their
two-handed friends, reach down, and offer assistance. Users
obtain from 30 - 80 wpm. There are two one handed manuals
available in the market place, $20 - $49, see Amazon.com or your
bookstore) There are also FREE downloads of the first 39 pages
of - The One Hand Typing and Keyboarding Manual: With Personal
Motivational Messages From Others Who Have Overcome! -
http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/manual.html
2) One Hand Adaptive/Alternative Keyboards
There are many devices and alternative keyboards that can be
used to enter data into a computer, the most popular are the
Half QWERTY Keyboard, the BAT, and the Maltron. Half Qwerty is
my choice out of all of these, but **ONLY** for those who were
speed touch typists BEFORE their disability. Speeds obtained on
these are about the same as using One Hand Qwerty. ($295 - $1000
see
http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/bat.html)
3) Alternative Keyboard Layouts
Many have looked for alternatives to QWERTY to ease the
strain on the typist's hands. The two most well known are Dvoark,
and Half-QWERTY. Both are faster, and easier on the hands of the
typist, but not necessarily smarter, as they are not used in the
workplace. (Dvoark is free, Half-QWERTY is, $99 see Adaptive
Devices above) Dvorak takes all of keys on a normal keyboard,
and moves them around to different positions on the keyboard, to
positions in which are supposedly easier to use.
Half-QWERTY has the strong hand do what is already been trained
to do, assuming the user was a speed touch typist before the
disability. It cuts the keyboard in HALF. This half of the
keyboard then does double duty. The missing half of the keyboard
is done by the good hand, on the half of the keyboard the good
hand uses. The space bar is used when the missing key need to be
typed. For more, see
http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/dvorak.html)
4) Voice Activation/Voice Recognition Software
Using voice recognition software, the user speaks into a
microphone, and the software transcribes the users words from
the verbal dictation. Voice Activation will soon be a great tool
when used AFTER a good understanding of the standard keyboard is
learned. Just as the student must learn to read, before they are
allowed to use books or tapes as their form of "reading," the
student must learn to keyboard, before they use voice activation
as their main data inputting device. Otherwise the user will not
be able to operate in environments that use only common
equipment, i.e., the library, the workplace, at play with
friends, etc.
QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE HELPING YOUR CUSTOMER DECIDE ON A ONE
HANDED TYPING SYSTEM
Before the one handed person makes a decision which alternative
is best for them, ask these questions:
When considering which alternative is best, you must answer
these questions first:
-
How fast will the user be able to
type once they are accomplished?
-
How long will it take them to
learn?
-
Will the manufacturer of the
alternative be around in 10 years?
-
Will the user stay with the
alternative? Or will the prefer to 'fit in' with their peers who
either do not use a keyboard, or hunt and peck slowly on the
normal keyboard?
-
Is the "good" hand strong? Can it
take the burden normally shared by two hands?
-
Will the reason the hand/arm is
disabled go away with time? Perhaps an injury that will heal?
-
Does this person work on their own
- perhaps they are retired or an entrepreneur? Will they need to
use other people's computers, or will others need to use their
computer?
-
Was the user a speed touch typist
before the disability?
Let's explore each of those issues
for the One Handed Typist:
HOW FAST WILL THE USER BE ABLE TO TYPE ONCE THEY ARE
ACCOMPLISHED?
Speed of the
accomplished one handed typists seems to be about the same on
all of the systems available. In theory, those using One Handed
Dvorak should be faster. But there are just not enough people
who went on with One Handed Dvorak to confirm that theory.
I, for instance, use the normal keyboard, I do 40 to 80 wpm
(depending on the amount of sleep and coffee I have in my
system!).
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE THEM TO LEARN?
Learning time will be fastest for those who never were speed
touch typists if they use the normal keyboard and One Hand
Qwerty. Most people have at least played with a normal keyboard,
and have a vague idea where the keys are.
Learning time
will be faster for those who WERE speed touch typist with two
hands before their disability if they use Half Qwerty.
WILL THE MANUFACTURER OF THE ALTERNATIVE BE AROUND IN 10
YEARS?
Of course we are guessing at this. But if we look at the
lifespan of the average small computer manufacturer, then we
have cause to worry. What will your user do if they are trained
on an alternative, which eventually breaks down, and the company
is gone? Well, they will go back to the normal Qwerty keyboard
and start over. One thing is fairly certain, when the starship
Enterprise really does launch, there is going to be a QWERTY
keyboard on board.
WILL THE USER STAY WITH THE ALTERNATIVE? OR WILL THE PREFER
TO 'FIT IN' WITH THEIR PEERS WHO EITHER DO NOT USE A KEYBOARD,
OR HUNT AND PECK SLOWLY ON THE NORMAL KEYBOARD?
I do a survey every few years, the last was to over 9000
people: OT's, teachers, amputees, and many others with
disabilities. I asked them, "Of any of the people you know, who
were taught to use an alternatives to a normal keyboard, how
many are now actually using that alternative in the workplace?"
Two people.
It seems to me that 99% of those trained on one of these
alternatives leave them in the closet, and instead hunt and peck
on a NORMAL keyboard. Why? Because the majority of two handed
people in most workplaces, in schools, and at play, are just
hunt and pecking anyway. Our one-handed can get the same speed
as his two handed friends. Why should he use an adaptive device
and forever be put in the position of being "different"? Since
our one handed user is going to use a normal keyboard,
regardless of what he was taught in rehab, why not spend that
precious time learning to have competitive touch typing skills?
Then, our one handed friend can be the fastest, most competent
person, regardless on the number of hands he has!
IS THE "GOOD" HAND STRONG? CAN IT TAKE THE BURDEN NORMALLY
SHARED BY TWO HANDS?
If one hand has good usage, then, although harder on the hands,
the standard ONE HAND QWERTY is perhaps the best choice for two
reasons. One: value in the job market. The reality
is, the easier it is to bring someone into the workplace, the
more appealing they are as an employee. Two: Self value.
Selecting an alternative keyboard makes a user feel apart from
their peer group. Being adept at the tool the others use at work
and at play, the standard keyboard, gives their self esteem and
self value a tremendous boost.
WILL THE REASON THE HAND/ARM IS DISABLED GO AWAY WITH TIME?
PERHAPS AN INJURY
THAT WILL HEAL?
Only learn any one hand method if you are sure there will never
have enough coordination with the affected hand to type in the
standard two handed method.
DOES THIS PERSON WORK ON THEIR OWN - PERHAPS THEY ARE RETIRED
OR AN
ENTREPRENEUR? WILL THEY NEED TO USE OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPUTERS, OR
WILL OTHERS NEED TO
USE THEIR COMPUTER?
If possible, avoid alternatives if our user plans to share a
computer at work or at play. If not, and if the idea of a
"different" keyboard intrigues them, then an adaptive device
might be just the thing to add the element of fun to their
training and encourage them to carry on until they become adept.
WAS THE USER A SPEED TOUCH TYPIST BEFORE THE DISABILITY?
If you can catch a former two handed speed touch typist within
six months of the disability, use the HALF QWERTY SYSTEM. If
they were NOT a speed touch typist before the disability, then
always suggest they use the keyboard as is! This is One Hand
QWERTY: the one hand centering on FGHJ learns to touch type.
IN SUMMARY
For all of those 25 years of age and under, and for those who
were not speed touch typists with two hands within the past six
months: Use One Hand Qwerty - uses a normal keyboard with the
normal layout
Those who were speed touch typed with two hands within the past
six months: Use Half Qwerty - cuts the keyboard in half, and
uses an alternative layout for the missing keys.
Those who will regain full use of the disabled hand. Suggest
they study 10 key skills until the disabled hand heals. Do not
bother to teach them a one hand typing method.
Always try to help the one handed person use the tools commonly
found at work and at play. Give them the ability to breeze into
the workplace or school with confidence. Once there, they will
have the typing skills to say to their two handed co-workers,
"Oh here, let me show you how ... "
Lilly Walters,
About One Hand Typing and Keyboarding
aka ABC Schermerhorn Walters Co.
http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com
FOR FREE MONTHLY E-NEWS CLICK HERE:
http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/enews.html
FOR INFO: 909-398-1228.
TO PLACE AN ORDER:
http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/order.html
Join e-mail discussions:
http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/discuss.html
Do you prefer to shop at Amazon.com?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0974174602/waltersspeakerse
Did you know there are an estimated 12 million people in the USA
with a disability of the hand or arm?
There are millions more in law enforcement, and computer related
fields who would have a great advantage by being able to use the
NORMAL keyboard with one hand.
Reprinted with
permission.
(c) Lilly Walters, 2003, may only be used or duplicated with
permission. Phone 909-398-1228; E-mail
Lilly@aboutonehandtyping.com;
http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com |
