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I have seven books in the marketplace. I typed every word myself, and I use one hand on a NORMAL keyboard (no adaptive equipment). I am filled with a great deal of smug pride when I see members of my work team - who are all two handed - struggling with a task on the computer, and I am able to walk right over and say, "Here, let me show you how ... "
Although I don't even like to mention them (because I feel strongly only two options should be suggested) for those with a hand disability there are actually many alternatives to consider for those who have good use of one hand.
THE FOUR CATEGORIES OF ONE HAND KEYBOARDING OPTIONS
- Use the standard keyboard - One Hand QWERTY
- One hand adaptive/alternative keyboards (like Half QWERTY, Maltron, and the Bat)
- Alternative keyboard layouts (like Half QWERTY and One Hand Dvorak)
- Voice activation/voice recognition software
1) The Standard keyboard - One Hand QWERTY
QWERTY is the term used for the standard keyboard used by 99% of the English speaking world (see the keys on your keyboard starting at the Q in the upper left corner.) One Hand QWERTY takes the one strong hand, and has it use FGHJ as home base. The thumb operates the space bar. If possible, the less able hand operates the mouse, TAB and SHIFT.
This system allows the user to compete in any mainstream environment. The user can go to any computer, at work or at play, and operate the keyboard normal immediately. They are able to look over the shoulder of their two-handed friends, reach down, and offer assistance. Users obtain from 30 - 80 wpm.
There are two one handed manuals available in the market place, $19.95 - $29, see Amazon.com or your bookstore) There are also FREE downloads at www.aboutonehandtyping.com/manual.html
2) One Hand Adaptive/Alternative Keyboards
There are many devices and alternative keyboards that can be used to enter data into a computer, the most popular are the Half QWERTY Keyboard, the BAT, and the Maltron. Half Qwerty (the X2 Keyboard) is my choice out of all of these, but **ONLY** for those who were speed touch typists before their disability. The BAT is good possibility for those with a disability in both hands.
Speeds obtained on these are about the same as using One Hand Qwerty.($99 - $1000 see http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/bat.html)
3) Alternative Keyboard Layouts
Many have looked for alternatives to QWERTY to ease the strain on the typist's hands. The two most well known are Dvoark, and Half-QWERTY. Both are faster, and easier on the hands of the typist, but not necessarily smarter, as they are not used in the workplace. (Dvoark is free, Half-QWERTY is now installed in the X2 keyboard, $99 see Adaptive Devices above)
Dvorak takes all of keys on a normal keyboard, and moves them around to different positions on the keyboard, to where they are supposedly easier to use.
Half-QWERTY has the strong hand do what is already been trained to do, assuming the user was a speech touch typist before the disability. It cuts the keyboard in HALF. This half of the keyboard then does double duty. The missing half of the keyboard is done by the good hand, on the half of the keyboard the good hand uses. The space bar is used when the missing key need to be typed.
For more, see www.aboutonehandtyping.com/dvorak.html
4) Voice Activation/Voice Recognition Software
Voice Activation will soon be a great tool when used AFTER a good understanding of the standard keyboard is learned. Just as the student must learn to read, before they are allowed to use books or tapes as their form of "reading," the student must learn to keyboard, before they use voice activation as their main data inputting device.
USING ANY OF THESE ALTERNATIVES
I did a survey recently to over 9000 people: OT's, teachers, amputees, and many others with disabilities. I asked them, "Of any of the people you know, who were taught to use an alternatives to a normal keyboard, how many are now actually using that alternative in the workplace?"
Two people.
Our challenge is, 99% of those trained on one of these alternatives leaves them in the closet, and instead hunt and peck on a NORMAL keyboard. Why? Because the majority of the other people in most workplaces, in schools, and at play, are just hunt and pecking anyway. Our one-handed can get the same hunt and pecking speed as his two handed friends. Why should he use an adaptive device forever be put in the position of being "different"?
Since our one handed user is going to use a normal keyboard, regardless of what he was taught in rehab, why not spend the time learning to have competitive touch typing skills?
IN SUMMARY
Those who have NOT speed touch typed within the past six months:
Use One Hand Qwerty - uses a normal keyboard with the normal layout
Those who were speed touch typed within the past six months:
Use Half Qwerty - cut the keyboard in half, and uses an alternative layout for the missing keys.
Those who will regain full use of the disabled hand.
Suggest they study 10 key skills until the disabled hand heals. Do not bother to teach them a one hand typing method.
Always try to help the one handed person use the tools commonly found at work and at play. Give them the ability to breeze into the workplace or school with confidence. Once there, they would have the typing skills to say to their two handed co-workers, "Oh here, let me show you how ... "
Recommended Books:
Copyright © Lilly Walters, 2001, may only be used or duplicated with permission.
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