Solutions for One-Handed Typists
By Fong-Lee, Dianna; Chin, Jacqueline; Dyrkacz, Andrea P.; Occupational Therapy Now,Publication Date: January-February 1999
Review of alternative keyboards and software-redefined keyboard layouts for typists with functional use of one hand only. Alternative keyboards designed for one-handed typists described are smaller than conventional keyboards and have fewer keys. Some alternative keyboards are arranged to provide an even distribution of the workload on the fingers. Using software to change the standard QWERTY keyboard layout is another solution for the one-handed typist. Software reviewed are the Dvorak which can be adapted for either hand and downloaded at www.microsoft.com for Windows or www.acs.oakland.edu/aok.html for Macintosh computers; Half-QWERTY (Mathias Corp.) (www.dgp.toronto.edu/mathias) which allows a 5-finger typist to use only half the keyboard; and Five Finger Typist (Softdawn) (demonstration version at www.ozemail.com.au/softdawn/software/fft.html), a typing tutorial for those who wish to use the standard QWERTY keyboard with only five fingers. The Dvorak and Half-QWERTY are similar software-adapted keyboard solutions; the Half-QWERTY also has a compact special half-keyboard available. The Five Finger Typist was deemed inferior to conventional typing tutorials, having “no bells and whistles ... no colour, no sound and no fun.”
Assistive Products Discussed: FIVE FINGER TYPIST
HALF-QWERTY ONE-HANDED KEYBOARD SOFTWARE
DVORAK KEYBOARD MODIFICATION PROGRAMS
Published by: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (Website:http://www.caot.ca)
Link to text: http://www.otworks.com/otworks_page.asp?pageid=718
