Hi Annette, Thank you very much for all this information. I will send this to the list member that's assisting in helping this particular disability teacher acquire the necessary info for her student. Take care. Mike Sent from my iBarstool. ----- Original Message ----- From: Annette Carr To: jaws-users-list@jaws-users.com Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 4:00 PM Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] 1 Handed Keyboard
Hi Mike, Let me start out by saying the majority of people who have to type with one hand prefer to use the standard keyboard. They shift their hand from the traditional "home row" position to the letters F, G, H & I. They then just learn how to type with their 4 fingers from that position. If the user has small hands, there are small keyboards designed for users with smaller hands, or those who activate the keyboard with some type of pointer stick (see info below on alternative keyboards). They also find it helpful to turn on "Sticky Keys" which eliminates the need to hold down keys like the Shift, Control and Alt. This is part of Windows7 Ease of Access Center. I am not sure if the Insert key is included in "Sticky Keys", so I'm not sure if it will help with executing JAWS commands. Here is a link to info on how to turn on "Sticky Keys": http://www.nhs.uk/accessibilityhelp/Using-your-keyboard-one-handed-in-Window s-7.html#content Dragon Naturally Speaking speech to text software is an option, but if using it with JAWS it used to be that you had to use an additional piece of software call J-Say. At one time only the Professional version of Dragon worked with J-Say and JAWS. J-Say allowed JAWS and Dragon to play nicely together. To be honest with you, Dragon is not for everyone. There used to be a way to access a "half-QWERTTY" keyboard and other keyboard layouts within Microsoft Windows. Here is a link to some information, but there is a chance that it is outdated. https://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/altkeyboard.aspx There are a variety of alternative keyboards available. As far as I know there should not be any problem using JAWS with any of these keyboards described below. Just make sure that there is an Insert key. There are "half QWERTY" keyboards. You can read about one option, Matias Half Keyboard & Half-QWERTY 508 Keyboard http://www.matias.ca/halfkeyboard/index.php?refID=7 Another one handed keyboard is the BAT keyboard. Here is some info from the web, followed by the URL for more info. Infogrip's BAT Keyboard is a one-handed, compact input device that replicates all the functions of a full-size keyboard, but with greater efficiency and convenience. The BAT is easy to learn and use. Letters, numbers, commands and macros are simple key combinations, "chords," that you can master in no time. Best of all the BAT's unique ergonomic design reduces hand strain and fatigue for greater comfort and productivity. The BAT is the ultimate typing solution for persons with physical or visual impairments and is proven to increase productivity when used with graphic or desktop publishing software. http://www.infogrip.com/bat-keyboard.html These days there are many options for mini keyboards. I have no idea of the quality of one verses the other, but here is 1 of many examples available from Staples. AdessoR SlimTouch Mini Keyboard with Smart Card Reader and 2-Port USB Hub, Black (AKB510RB) Dimensions: 0.7"H x 11.2"W Ergo Vancouver has a variety of keyboards, mini, one handed, child-size, etc. http://www.ergovancouver.net/keyboards.htm HTH, Annette -----Original Message----- From: JAWS-Users-List [mailto:jaws-users-list-boun...@jaws-users.com] On Behalf Of Mike B. Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 9:03 AM To: Jaws-Users List Subject: [JAWS-Users] 1 Handed Keyboard Hi All, I know of someone that is attempting to teach Jaws & the computer to a child that has only 1 arm. I've done some searches for 1 handed keyboards, but I really don't know what to look for. Does anyone have any, or know of any information that I can pass along to this teacher, so she can get this little one going on the right path?! I've heard somewhere that it's possible to make a standard QWERTY keyboard swap, so that when after invoking a keystroke the letters swap sides, so to speak. So that if you are typing from the QWERTY side, then you invoke this keystroke, you're then typing the letters from the other side of the keyboard. All help & input will be greatly appreciated! Come on folks lets get this little one going on the right path! Thank y'all very much. Take care. Mike Sent from my iBarstool. For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/ For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/ For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/