What are are some alternative keyboards?

In addition to built in-features, there is a wide variety of alternative keyboards that can serve the needs of many students. Expanded keyboards, such as BigKeys Keyboard, provide a larger typing surface than regular keyboards and can help students with issues of fine motor control or are using other parts of the body for typing such as a foot. Mini-keyboards, are smaller than standard keyboards and can help students with muscular dystrophy or spinal muscular atrophy and have a restricted range of motion. One-handed keyboards help students who are may be missing a hand, or only have sufficient dexterity in one hand. One-handed keyboards require key combinations to type certain letters and symbols. Customizable keyboards can be programmed to perform specific functions, such as typing an entire word, when a single key is pressed. These keyboards might come with a variety of keyboard overlays. Customizable keyboards can assist students with learning disabilities, who might find the full keyboard overwhelming. Next we will take a look at mouse alternatives.

Resources:

Dell, A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2012). Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with Disabilities (2nd ed., pp. 175-207). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.