Accessibility Opens Up
From: Washington Technology - 12/15/2003
By: John McCormick

The development and rollout of computer hardware and software tools that
disabled people can use is accelerating, and cost is not necessarily a
factor. Expensive customized devices may not have to be provided when
adaptable ergonomic products available in any office supply catalog may
suffice. Also, the Americans with Disabilities Act makes it a legal
requirement for employers to provide for disabled employees in many cases.
Accessible hardware is usually categorized according to the user's handicap:
Many visually impaired workers can use standard keyboards, but some favor
Braille-labeled keys, which are available as complete keyboards or stick-on
labels. A six-key Braille input device is an easier option for users familiar
with Braille devices. Users with limited mobility, which could be the result
of repetitive stress injuries or even more severe handicaps, can be
accommodated relatively inexpensively. Quadriplegics with minimal head
movement, for instance, can use a standard keyboard augmented with
voice-recognition software and a head-mounted cursor controller for less than
$2,000. Other options for mobility-challenged users include a guarded
keyboard or oversized keys for those without fine motor skills, and
smaller-than-usual keyboards for people who suffer from a limited range of
motion. Customized keyboards, meanwhile, can be a good tool for cognitively
impaired workers.  

http://www.washingtontechnology.com/news/18_18/emerging-tech/22311-1.html

