Skip to main content
WATAP LogoWashington Assistive Technology Act Program

WATA Bulletin: WINTER 2000

Contents:

Adaptations for the Standard Keyboard

Heather Koren, M.S., Rehabilitation Technology Specialist

Some people find it difficult to use a standard keyboard and mouse to operate a computer. There are several options for these people:

  • Software adjustments;
  • Hardware add-ons;
  • Alternative keyboards; and
  • Alternative mice

This article discusses software adjustments and hardware add-ons. The next article will cover the alternative keyboards and mice.

Software Adjustments

Built in to both the Mac and PC (Windows '95/'98) computer systems are accessibility options. These features allow anyone to adjust specific typing aspects on a standard keyboard. The first option, called Sticky Keys, acts as a key lock. Certain commands require the user to press more than one key at a time. A person who types using only one finger or a pointing device, such as a mouthstick is not able to do this. Sticky Keys tricks the computer into believing that the first key in a series is being held down. To capitalize the first letter of a word, for example, the user would simply hit the shift key and then the desired letter. All simultaneous key presses can now be done one at a time.

The second accessibility option is Slow Keys (Mac) or Filter Keys (PC). This feature is designed for people with motor difficulties who are unable to consistently hit the correct letter. In essence it "filters" out repeated or sudden keystrokes. It only accepts a character after the key has been held down for a specified time period.

Toggle Keys, available on the PC only, is a nice auditory feedback feature. This is especially nice for those who have decreased vision or touch sensations. When the Caps Lock, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock buttons are used, the computer will provide two tones representing on/off.

Hardware Add-Ons

The software adaptations may not work for everyone, especially if the computer is an older model without the built-in accessibility options. Below are listed hardware adaptations that function similarly to two of the software accessibility options.

A hardware version of Sticky Keys, called KeyLocks, is available for attachment to your keyboard. A lever is connected to the keyboard next to, for example the shift and control keys, which are often used in multi-key commands. The typist must press down each lock in order to enter a key combination. The locks must be pressed a second time to release the keys. If the user shares the computer with others who do not require KeyLocks, the software version is a better option to avoid interference on the keyboard.

A Keyguard is a great adaptation for someone who has good range of motion, but poor fine motor control. This type of user tends to accidentally hit more than one key at a time. Slow/ Filter Keys is a software version of this device, but may not provide enough support for a user with erratic movements. A keyguard is a frame that fits over the standard keyboard with cutouts to isolate each key. This allows users more control and consistency with their typing.

ATRC changes name, enhances mission

The UW ATRC has changed its name to the UW Center for Technology and Disability Studies (CTDS). The CTDS is funded by WATA to provide training and education, policy research and systems change, and to support statewide advocacy efforts with respect to technology and disability. The UW CTDS is also funded by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and other funding sources. The CTDS is housed within the UW Center for Human Development and Disability and supports a wide range of educational activities.

UW CTDS hosts conference on technology, disability

The CTDS announces the First Pacific Northwest Conference on Technology and Disability: Access to the Future, which we are offering in collaboration with The UW DO-IT Program. Cosponsors include the LTW Spinal Cord Model Systems project, Western Washington University Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation, and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of King County. This two-day conference includes a series of professional development symposia from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 and an all day exhibition of technology with concurrent conference sessions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 21.

The professional development symposia will provide in depth training in specific areas of technology and disability including augmentative and alternative communication, seating and positioning and mobility, and computer access. Each four hour training session will cost $100 and continuing education units and continuing medical education credits will be available. This training will be appropriate for health care providers, rehabilitation professionals, special educators, and consumers with advanced content knowledge.

The exhibition of technology on Sunday will be free of charge and will include an opportunity to meet vendors of all kinds of technology and to attend hourly conference sessions presented by vendors of technology, UW faculty, and specialists from the community. We welcome people with disabilities and their family members, health care providers, rehabilitation professionals, special educators, and other members of the community to this conference.

We are recruiting vendors to participate in the exhibition, and specialists to make conference Sunday presentations. For further information, check our WWW page at uwctds.washington.edu or contact us at 206-685-4181.

Legislative & Policy Update

Frances E. Pennell, Policy & Funding Specialist

In Olympia: As we write, it is the third week of a legislative session dominated by discussions of the impact of I-695, the fashioning of a patient bill of rights and efforts to rehabilitate the individual health insurance market in Washington state by, among other things, changes in existing rules on coverage of pre-existing conditions. The legislature is considering many other bills of interest to AT users including:

  • HB 2364 directing the Department of Social & Health services to design a program to eliminate work disincentives for people with disabilities. The Bill would provide workers with disabilities with extended Medicaid coverage and greater choice in vocational rehabilitation, employment and support services.
  • SB 6522/HB 2951 licensing and regulating the practice of physical therapy defined as the alleviation of functional limitations in movement through therapeutic interventions including, among others, the use of "assistive, adaptive, protective, and supportive devices and equipment." The Bill acknowledges that use of such devices and equipment would not be within the exclusive domain of physical therapists.

Activity of interest on the regulatory front includes:

  • Publication of final state regulations (WAC 392-172) implementing the 1997 IDEA Amendments.
  • Final passage of rules (WAC 284-43) requiring health insurers (at least those under the Insurance Commissioner's jurisdiction) to act on consumer appeals of denials of treatment within 14 days or a maximum of 30 days if the insurer can demonstrate that it needs more time. Copies of the rules can be obtained from the OIC at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/tableofcontents.htm.

In the Other Washington, the President has proposed plans to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program to include uninsured parents and to allow workers under 65 to buy into Medicare - both measures that would expand access to AT financing. Congress also is expected to reauthorize the Developmental Disabilities Act (S. 1809) and may finally reach a compromise on a national patient bill of rights.

The Social Security Administration is working on implementation of the Work Incentives Improvement Act which allows SSDI beneficiaries to retain their Medicare coverage for up to four and one half years after they return to work and gives states the option of offering Medicaid coverage to workers with disabilities.

More information can be obtained from the SSA website at www.ssa.gov/legislation, or www.ssa.gov/work and from the new publication "Work Incentives for Persons with Disabilities Under the Social Security and SSI Programs: Using the Work Incentives to Fund AT and Make Work a Reality" available on line from Neighborhood Legal Services at http://www.nls.org/wkboklet.htm.

The Health Care Financing Administration is considering a request from attorney Lew Golinker and 14 health care professionals for a national coverage decision confirming that augmentative communication devices are covered under Medicare. A final decision is expected by the end of March. For more information, contact Lew Golinker at (607) 277-7286 or lgolinker@aol.com.

The National Council on Disability has just published a comprehensive report to Congress on implementation of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act ("Back to school on Civil Rights: Advancing the Federal Commitment to Leave No Child Behind"). The report documents widespread non-compliance with IDEA including the FAPE and least restrictive environment requirements. Copies of the report will be available from the National Council on Disability at www.ncd.gov.

The Federal Communications Commission has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to expand the availability of video description in video programming. Comments are due to the FCC by February 23, 2000. Copies of the proposal can be obtained from the FCC website at http://www.fcc.gov/dtf/. The U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board is updating its guidelines for private and public sector facilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). The deadline for public comments is March 15. The proposed rule is available on the Board's web site at www.access-board.gov.

Your feedback is welcome. If you have comments, or mailing list additions or changes, please contact:

WATA Bulletin
University of Washington
Box 357920
Seattle, WA 98195-7920

800-841-8345 (V/TTY)
206-616-1396 (TTY)
206-543-4779 (fax)

e-mail: uwat@umashington.edu

The WATA Bulletin is supported by grant H224A3006 from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education, to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Olympia, WA.

About Us | Contact Us | ©2008 University of Washington
The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (RSA #H224A060046 and RSA #H224A070046).  However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government.