| Accessing the keyboard Hardware | | | | wrist; arm supports support the arm yet |
| Height-adjustable trolley. Allows | | | | still permit free movement. |
| precise adjustment, via a handle, of a | | | | Keyboard shortcuts. A combination of |
| computer to the correct height - even | | | | keys is used for operations commonly |
| when fully loaded with equipment. | | | | done using the mouse. |
| Adjustable keyboard and monitor arms. | | | | Rollerballs. An upside-down mouse where |
| Attaches to a table and swings out to | | | | the ball is moved directly with the |
| the correct height. | | | | fingers (or foot, nose, elbow etc) to |
| Footrests. If the user’s feet are | | | | control the mouse pointer. |
| dangling down from a seat that is too | | | | Joysticks. The stick is moved directly |
| high they can help to maintain sitting | | | | with the fingers (or foot, nose, elbow |
| balance and achieve good hand control. | | | | etc) to control the mouse pointer. |
| Wristrests. Stabilises the arm. | | | | Graphics tablets. The stylus pen, linked |
| Arm supports. Take the weight of the arm | | | | to the tablet, is moved with the hand to |
| and let the user move across the | | | | control the mouse pointer. |
| keyboard to access the keys. | | | | Touch pads. Flat touch sensitive surface |
| Keyguards. It fits over the keyboard to | | | | operated with the finger to control the |
| help prevent unintentional keypresses. | | | | mouse pointer. |
| Ergonomic keyboards. Reduce the | | | | Touch screens. The user can touch |
| discomfort from injuries related to | | | | objects directly on the screen to move |
| excessive keyboard use (wristrests are | | | | them around. |
| often built in as well). | | | | Head control. Use head movement to |
| Chording keyboards. Have a handful of | | | | control the mouse pointer. |
| keys (one per digit per hand) to type by | | | | Software Double-click speed is a feature |
| ‘chords’ which produce different | | | | of Microsoft Windows. |
| letters and keys. | | | | ClickLock is a feature of Microsoft |
| Expanded keyboards. Keys are larger and | | | | Windows. Locks a mouse button down so |
| more widely spaced. | | | | that items can be dragged around the |
| Compact and miniature keyboards. A | | | | screen. |
| smaller version of the standard | | | | Mouse speed is a feature of Microsoft |
| keyboard. | | | | Windows. Sets how far and fast the |
| Dvorak alternative keyboard layout. An | | | | pointer moves on the screen. |
| ergonomic keyboard layout, where the | | | | Pointer size is a feature of Microsoft |
| most common keys are located at either | | | | Windows. Changes can be made to the |
| the left or right side of the keyboard. | | | | size, colour or shape. |
| Height-adjustable computer table | | | | MouseKeys is a feature of Microsoft |
| Software Sticky keys is a feature of | | | | Windows 95 onwards. Configures the |
| Microsoft Windows 95 onwards and Mac OS | | | | numeric keypad at the right-hand side of |
| X operating systems. Allows characters | | | | the keyboard to control the mouse |
| or commands to be typed without having | | | | pointer. |
| to hold down a modifier key (Shift, | | | | Macros is a feature of Microsoft Word. A |
| Ctrl, Alt) while pressing a second key. | | | | particular sequence of keyboard |
| FilterKeys is a feature of Microsoft | | | | operations are ‘recorded’ and then |
| Windows 95 onwards. Instructs the | | | | ‘played back’ by pressing a |
| keyboard to ignore brief or repeated | | | | combination of keys. |
| keystrokes. | | | | Switch access and switches Switches |
| FilterKeys (Ignore repeated keystrokes) | | | | allow access to computers for people |
| is a feature of Microsoft Windows 95 | | | | with severe physical or cognitive |
| onwards. Adjusts the amount of time that | | | | difficulties. Mimics a keyboard |
| elapses before a character repeats when | | | | keystroke or mouse click. |
| you hold down a key. | | | | Switch interface. Used as an interface |
| FilterKeys (Ignore quick keystrokes and | | | | to connect a switch to the computer. |
| slow down the repeat rate) is a feature | | | | Switch mounting. Used to mount a switch |
| of Microsoft Windows 95 onwards. Adjusts | | | | (sometimes in conjunction with a |
| the speed at which a character repeats | | | | mounting plate). |
| when you hold down a key. | | | | Switch accessible software. Software |
| ToggleKeys is a feature of Microsoft | | | | which is accessible via a switch. |
| Windows 95 onwards. A high sound is | | | | Learning difficulties Hardware Keyboards |
| heard when the CAPS LOCK, SCROLL LOCK, | | | | with lowercase keys Keyboards with big |
| or NUM LOCK key is switched on and a low | | | | keys Symbols based software Touchscreen |
| sound is heard when any of those keys | | | | Word processor with speech software |
| are switched off. | | | | Software Age appropriate software Cause |
| Accessing the mouse Hardware Wristrests | | | | and effect software Hand-eye |
| and supports. Wristrests support the | | | | co-ordination skills software |
| hand so that there is less strain on the | | | | |