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Assistive Technology on computers

Accessing the keyboard Hardwaresupports support the arm yet still permit
Height-adjustable trolley. Allows precisefree  movement.
adjustment, via a handle, of a computer to
the correct height - even when fully loadedKeyboard shortcuts. A combination of keys is
with  equipment.used for operations commonly done using the
mouse.
Adjustable  keyboard  and  monitor  arms.
Rollerballs. An upside-down mouse where the
Attaches to a table and swings out to theball is moved directly with the fingers (or
correct  height.foot, nose, elbow etc) to control the mouse
pointer.
Footrests. If the user’s feet are
dangling down from a seat that is too highJoysticks. The stick is moved directly with
they can help to maintain sitting balance andthe fingers (or foot, nose, elbow etc) to
achieve  good  hand  control.control  the  mouse  pointer.
Wristrests.  Stabilises  the  arm.Graphics tablets. The stylus pen, linked to
the tablet, is moved with the hand to control
Arm supports. Take the weight of the arm andthe  mouse  pointer.
let the user move across the keyboard to
access  the  keys.Touch pads. Flat touch sensitive surface
operated with the finger to control the mouse
Keyguards. It fits over the keyboard to helppointer.
prevent  unintentional  keypresses.
Touch screens. The user can touch objects
Ergonomic keyboards. Reduce the discomfortdirectly  on  the screen to move them around.
from injuries related to excessive keyboard
use  (wristrests are often built in as well).Head control. Use head movement to control
the  mouse  pointer.
Chording keyboards. Have a handful of keys
(one per digit per hand) to type bySoftware Double-click speed is a feature of
‘chords’ which produce differentMicrosoft  Windows.
letters  and  keys.
ClickLock is a feature of Microsoft Windows.
Expanded keyboards. Keys are larger and moreLocks a mouse button down so that items can
widely  spaced.be  dragged  around  the  screen.
Compact and miniature keyboards. A smallerMouse speed is a feature of Microsoft
version  of  the  standard  keyboard.Windows. Sets how far and fast the pointer
moves  on  the  screen.
Dvorak alternative keyboard layout. An
ergonomic keyboard layout, where the mostPointer size is a feature of Microsoft
common keys are located at either the left orWindows. Changes can be made to the size,
right  side  of  the  keyboard.colour  or  shape.
Height-adjustable computer table SoftwareMouseKeys is a feature of Microsoft Windows
Sticky keys is a feature of Microsoft Windows95 onwards. Configures the numeric keypad at
95 onwards and Mac OS X operating systems.the right-hand side of the keyboard to
Allows characters or commands to be typedcontrol  the  mouse  pointer.
without having to hold down a modifier key
(Shift, Ctrl, Alt) while pressing a secondMacros is a feature of Microsoft Word. A
key.particular sequence of keyboard operations
are ‘recorded’ and then
FilterKeys is a feature of Microsoft Windows‘played back’ by pressing a
95 onwards. Instructs the keyboard to ignorecombination  of  keys.
brief  or  repeated  keystrokes.
Switch access and switches Switches allow
FilterKeys (Ignore repeated keystrokes) is aaccess to computers for people with severe
feature of Microsoft Windows 95 onwards.physical or cognitive difficulties. Mimics a
Adjusts the amount of time that elapseskeyboard  keystroke  or  mouse  click.
before a character repeats when you hold down
a  key.Switch interface. Used as an interface to
connect  a  switch  to  the  computer.
FilterKeys (Ignore quick keystrokes and slow
down the repeat rate) is a feature ofSwitch mounting. Used to mount a switch
Microsoft Windows 95 onwards. Adjusts the(sometimes in conjunction with a mounting
speed at which a character repeats when youplate).
hold  down  a  key.
Switch accessible software. Software which is
ToggleKeys is a feature of Microsoft Windowsaccessible  via  a  switch.
95 onwards. A high sound is heard when the
CAPS LOCK, SCROLL LOCK, or NUM LOCK key isLearning difficulties Hardware Keyboards with
switched on and a low sound is heard when anylowercase keys Keyboards with big keys
of  those  keys  are  switched  off.Symbols based software Touchscreen Word
processor with speech software Software Age
Accessing the mouse Hardware Wristrests andappropriate software Cause and effect
supports. Wristrests support the hand so thatsoftware Hand-eye co-ordination skills
there is less strain on the wrist; armsoftware



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