Text entry when movement is impaired

This chapter describes text entry mechanisms typically used by individuals with motor impairments or individuals in environments that make standard text entry mechanisms impractical. It examines keyboards and techniques for speeding up keyboard typing, reducing typing errors, and alternatives to standard keyboards: specialized keyboard hardware; speech input; and on-screen keyboards and the different ways in which they can be controlled. Techniques for supporting people who use text entry as their sole means of communication are described in the chapter. Further, a case study of character disambiguation illustrates how an assistive technique designed for people with disabilities can migrate to a major mass-market application. There are many specialized keyboards that users can try if a standard keyboard is inappropriate for their situation. Ergonomic keyboards are designed to reduce the chances of injury. Speech input is an obvious text entry method to use when the user cannot press keys on a keyboard but has clear, unimpaired speech. Studies suggest that people with disabilities who use speech for text entry have text entry rates and error rates similar to those of people with no disabilities. An on-screen keyboard allows a user to enter text by pointing at and selecting keys on the screen. © 2007