| Many of the disabled have trouble using a standard | | | | Additionally the template can be color coded to make |
| computer keyboard. An overlay keyboard can be | | | | finding keys easier. Keys with similar functions can be |
| substituted and many of these problems can be | | | | colored the same. The color of the character and its |
| eliminated. | | | | background can be set making finding keys easier. |
| Some problems with standard keyboard include: | | | | When the user holds down a key on a standard |
| | | | computer keyboard the character is repeated after a |
| 1. The keys are too small. | | | | fraction of a second. The character is then repeated |
| 2. The lack of visual clues to find a key. | | | | at a rate of 30 per second. With an overlay keyboard |
| 3. If a key is not released quickly the character is | | | | the delay before the character is repeated and how |
| repeated. | | | | many characters per second are sent can be |
| 4. Lack of audio and visual clues that a key was | | | | configured. |
| pressed. | | | | An overlay keyboard can also be configured to give |
| 5. Frustration over entering repeated text. | | | | an audio tone when a key is pressed. The loudness of |
| An overlay keyboard can help solve these problems. | | | | the tone can be set to loud, medium or quit. The tone |
| Each key on the overlay keyboard contains a macro | | | | helps to further accurse the user of a successful key |
| that sends any character or sequence of character | | | | press. |
| available on a standard computer keyboard. A | | | | Finally, the buttons can be configured to send |
| template of the keys is then created to tell the user | | | | information that the user enters over and over. Their |
| the function of each key. | | | | name, address and telephone number are a few |
| With an overlay keyboard adjacent keys can be | | | | examples. Standard commands such as copy, paste, |
| programmed with the same macro. The template is | | | | cut and the file open command can also be |
| configured to show the grouped keys. This creates | | | | programmed into a key. |
| larger keys. | | | | |