Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1992 11:07 CDT
From: "Jeff Schang <SCHANG@ADMIN.RIPON.EDU>" <SCHANG@ADMIN.RIPON.EDU>
Subject: One handed keyboard responses (LONG)
I want to thank all the people who took the time to respond to my original
post on the Info-Mac and C+Health discussion groups. I received between 25
-30 responses with information about companies who supply keyboards for one
-handed users I have included a LONG list here of all the responses that I
received.
Again, thanks for the great responses!
Jeff Schang / SCHANG@ADMIN.RIPON.EDU
*************************
Infogrip makes a keyboard called the "Bat" that is a chording keyboard.
This is because to type a letter, you must press several keys, much like
piano or guitar chords. The complete keyset can be typed with either hand,
or a combination of the two. Here's their address:
Infogrip
812 North Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
p.s. TidBITS recently did an article on this keyboard, but I don't recall
which issue it was in.
====================
Sean Elfstrom
Internet: selfstro@trinity.edu
*************************
There is a company in Seattle called Keytime that sells a standard keyboard
that is switchable between QWERTY, Dvorak, right-handed Dvorak, and left-
handed Dvorak. The latter two are layouts designed for one-handed use, with
all the common letters arranged for optimal use.
I don't know much about one-handed Dvorak, but I am a regular Dvorak typist,
and I'm certain that the one-handed layouts are superb.
Another option: If your friend is using a re-mappable keyboard (Sun, Mac,
PC are all re-mappable), Keytime can sell you a set of templates to stick on
the keytops. Then you can get Randy Cassingham's "The Dvorak Keyboard"
(Freelance Communications, Box 1895, Upland, CA 91785, $12.95) which I believe
describes the two one-hand layouts.
Hope this is helpful -- email me if you want complete info for Keytime (it's
not handy) or use directory assistance. The keyboard is about $200 shipped.
--
::::: Jan Steinman Bytesmiths :::::
*************************
Jeff, you might tell your friend to check out a device called BAT, which
is a small, hand-size keyboard device which supposedly has the complete
keyboard on one hand. Might be just the ticket.
Infogrip, Inc.
5800 One Perkins Place, 5F
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Ph: 504-766-8082
FAX: 504-336-0063
Sorry, I don't have price info.
Hope this helps.
Kevin Laurent <klaurent@isdres.er.usgs.gov>
*************************
To find these devices, check the Job Accommodation Network
and other assistive-technology sources that were mentioned
earlier in this List. Also, Apple has a CD-ROM that publoishes
just about every computer program and device known for individuals
with disabilities. Most state agencies dealing with people
with disabilities will have a copy. Finally, send an Internet
message to Jim_Knox@um.cc.umich.edu (I'm guessing at the address)
if all else fails.
I think the Job Accommodation Network has an 800 number.
*************************
An article by Tom Schmitz in the 2/23 San Jose Mercury says that there
are currently only two manufacturers of chord keyboards, Microwriter
Systems of Great Britain and Infogrip Inc. of Baton Rouge, LA. The
latter has a Mac-compatible unit.
-- Ken Laws
*************************
To find these devices, check the Job Accommodation Network
and other assistive-technology sources that were mentioned
earlier in this List. Also, Apple has a CD-ROM that publoishes
just about every computer program and device known for individuals
with disabilities. Most state agencies dealing with people
with disabilities will have a copy. Finally, send an Internet
message to Jim_Knox@um.cc.umich.edu (I'm guessing at the address)
if all else fails.
I think the Job Accommodation Network has an 800 number.
*************************
Jeff,
Here is something I saw at the last Comdex -- it was demoed on the
PC but perhaps they are working on a MAC version:
Chord keyboards -- control the world with one hand
--------------------------------------------------
The "twiddler" is a combination mouse and 101 key keyboard that you
can hold and operate with one hand. It has 12 keys for your four
fingers and 6 shift keys for your thumb. Each key on the standard PC
keyboard is represented by a combination of twiddler keys. Since
there are lot more twiddler key combinations than keys on the
standard keyboard, extra key combinations can be assigned to macros
that generate multiple keystrokes.
The mouse is operated by tilting the twiddler in the direction
you want the mouse to move.
Periodically chord keyboards appear on the market and then rapidly
and silently sink into oblivion. The twiddler may be different. It
is the best designed chord keyboard I've seen.
The twiddler is $200 from:
Handykey Corporation
141 Mt. Sinai Avenue
Mt. Sinai, NY 11766
516-474-4405
Jim
+------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| James H. Thompson | jimmy_t@verifone.com (Internet) |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
*************************
I don't have any specifics. But your friend might want to look at the chorded
keyboards that are becoming popular for palmtops. These are designed as
five-finger keyboards from the outset, so that you don't have to move your hand
much. Again, I don't know the specifics, but there is a Usenet newsgroup
called comp.sys.palmtops; perhaps someone there would know more.
Edward Reid (8-}>
eel: ed@titipu.meta.com or nosc.mil!titipu.meta.com!ed
*************************
Jeff,
There is a useful piece of software developed at the University of
Wisconsin and available free of charge courtesy of IBM that will help in
addressing your needs.
This suite of programs address the most routine of problems that computer
users with disabilities face (being able to hit keystroke combinations
using only a single finger, enabling the numeric keypad to replace a mouse,
providing for toggle keys which use differnt sounds to indicate when the
Caps, Num, or Scroll Lock keys are turned on or off, etc.
The package is known collectively as AccessDOS and is available w/o charge
>From IBM's PC Books and Promotions at (800) 426-7282. I have produced a one
page overview of this software package for Penn's computing newsletter. If
you or anyone else would like me to fax a copy to them please send a
message directly to me at montabana@a1.relay.upenn.edu
Regards,
Don Montabana
*************************
If you are not planning to summerize to the net, will you send me any
info you may receive? I'm not looking for one-handed ones per se, but
strange keyboards in general (especially dvorak).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ _______ _____ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brian A. Cole |_ _ | | ___| It's not so much
tuc@cs.wisc.edu | | | |__| |___ the heat, but
...!uwvax!cs.wisc.edu!tuc |_| |__________| the stupidity.
*************************
Hi There,
Since you also posted your message to Macintosh related areas I am assuming
that the person is interested in one handed keyboards for the Macintosh. To my
knowledge there is no such beast.
However, your friend may want to look at the Macintosh PowerBook. The
PowerBook has a much smaller keyboard and therefore will require less reach to
hit all the keys.
Another option is to investigate a DVORAK keyboard. A standard keyboard
configuration is called QWERTY it was designed many years ago - before the
advent of electric typewriters - with the intention of slowing down typist by
placing often used keys in awkward positions. The DVORAK keyboard places the
often used keys in the center of the keyboard. QuicKeys 2.0 will allow you to
re-map keys and has a DVORAK template already created.
Also, on The Boston Computer Society's Macintosh BBS there is a piece of
shareware called "OneHand." This program will convert the number keypad into a
"one handed" keyboard. It is based on the idea that numbers 1 - 9 are letters
"a" thru "i", then hit a modifier key and 1 - 9 becomes "j" - "r", etc. etc.
The easiest solution will be to investigate QuicKeys and try out the DVORAK
style. I have worked with a number of one-handed typist and with practice they
have become quite proficient with using a QWERTY layout. It is just a matter of
practice.
By the way, my name is Charlotte Corbett. I'm the manager of the Adaptive
Computing Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, and co-chair
of the Disabled/Special Needs User Group of The Boston Computer Society. Feel
free to have your friend call me if s/he needs any more information. I can be
contacted at:
Charlotte Corbett
"corbett%umbsky.dnet@ns.umb.edu" Internet address
*************************
Jeff,
Infogrip, Inc. has a one handed keyboard called The Bat. You can contact
them at:
5800 One Perkins Place, Suite 5F
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(504) 766-8082
(504) 763-9793 fax
*************************
You might get a better response to this query if it were posted in either
the USENET newsgroup misc.handicap or the Handicap Digest <L-HCAP@NDSUVM1>.
I know I have seen a lot of discussion of adaptive keyboards on L-HCAP.
W. K. (Bill) Gorman
*************************
The BAT keyboard, which should be out soon from Infogrip, is a chording
keyboard that can be used entirely with one hand. I imagine a chording
keyboard is a lot easier to use with one hand than a QWERTY keyboard
in any event. Give them a call at:
504/336-0033
The president is Ward Bond and he's a good guy. Tell him I sent you.
cheers ... Adam C. Engst, TidBITS Editor
*************************
jeff;
have him contact the below company to get the address and number for the maltron
corp. they make a one handed keyboard.
earl
dr. william hargreaves
kinesis corp
v- 206 241-4595
f- 206 241-9252
*************************
The 1992 February 3 issue of MacWeek has an ad in the Ad Showcase
section for a one-handed chord keyboard called the BAT.
Infogrip, Inc.
5800 One Perkins Place, Suite 5F
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
phone 504/766-8082
fax 504/763-9793
I think the net would be interested in a description or review of
anything you find out.
- Charles C. Allen Internet: allen@uthep2.ph.utexas.edu
*************************
I learned of two styles for one-handed keyboards from our Center for
Rehab Technology here at UW-Stout. The Chordic Keyboard from Infogrip,Inc
5800 Perkins Place, 5F; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808; which is a
complete replacement for the standard design keyboard. It has 7
keys that are used in different combinations.
The second style is closer to a "traditional" keyboard and is just
adapted to the right or left one-handed user. The vendor is Keytronics,
P.O. Box 14687; Spokane, Washington 99214 (509) 928-8000.
I for the phone for Infogrip - it is (504) 766-8082.
You may have already from those at the Center for Rehab Tech - they are
a great resource for questions such as this. I couldn't resist
answering - as a Ripon Grad ('78) who was an English major I can't
resist helping someone with the last name Schang! Good luck.
Terri Muraski
UW-Stout Library Learning Center 118
TMURASKI@UWSTOUT.EDU
*************************
I just happened to see something on that this morning.