Newsgroups: comp.speech
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From: ebohlman@netcom.com (Eric Bohlman)
Subject: Re: Keyboards and Computer Training for Disabled ? 
Message-ID: <ebohlmanD5wCnG.8AC@netcom.com>
Organization: OMS Development
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Date: Thu, 23 Mar 1995 14:09:16 GMT
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Gerry Gribbon (ggribbon@bfsec.bt.co.uk) wrote:
: Hi,

: My sister-in-law has asked me to see if anyone out there has information
: on special keyboards and/or computer training for a person with one arm.
: If anyone has any information at all I'd appreciate it if you could pass
: it on. 

[please try to limit your line length: the above paragraph was one long 
line, which chokes many newsreaders]

It depends on what platform you're talking about: for MS Windows, 
Microsoft has some keyboard drivers that support one-handed layouts, and 
they also have Access Pack for Windows, which includes a utility that 
allows multi-key keystrokes (control, shift, alt plus a key) to be 
entered sequentially, which would cut down on the amount of finger 
gymnastics needed.  A DOS version is also available; these are free and 
can be found at ftp.microsoft.com.

One-handed typists can often benefit from macro programs and word 
prediction/abbreviation utilities such as OMS Development's (shameless 
plug here) Keycache, which is available for both DOS and Windows.  Demos 
can be ftp'd from ftp.netcom.com in pub/eb/ebohlman as kcd22.zip (DOS) 
and kcw12.zip (Windows).

Of course, voice input is also a possibility (this is comp.speech, after 
all): Dragon Dictate is available for both DOS and Windows, and Kurzweil 
makes a voice-input system for Windows.  Voice input is *much* cheaper 
today than it was a few years ago.

With the right adaptive technology, someone with one arm should be able 
to participate in the same computer training programs as people with two 
arms.
 
