Computer hardware: adaptive technology

There are many products on the market which can make life easier for computer users with disability.

Keyboards

Adapted keyboards can be used by persons who have control over one hand or control of just one finger. Some are programmable, permitting the user to rearrange the keyboard layout. It could be used with one hand, a mouth-stick, or even with the feet. It can be large or small in size.

Keyguards

These are plastic or metal covers that fit over a standard or alternative computer keyboard. This helps prevent accidental keystrokes and provides a place to rest hands for stability when typing.

Mouse alternatives

These include trackballs and touchpads.

Flatbed scanners

These can be used in conjuntion with optical character reading (OCR) software.

Braille printers / Braille embossers

These are devices dedicated to printing hard copy Braille documents.

Braille displays

These connect to personal computers and translate text displayed on the screen into instantaneous Braille output. A screen reader is required to drive a Braille display.

Useful websites include: