Miniature and Expanded Keyboards
These keyboards emulate regular keyboards, offering all the keys needed for the Mac or Windows computer. They generally use "plug and play" USB connectors, so minimal effort is required to start using the device.
Some miniature keyboards have these keys layered, so you first select the Function key, then press a number to get the equivalent of F2, for example. This takes more time, but minimizes the space needed, which is particulary important for users with minimal strength and range of movement. The most effective layout for such users is a center weighted layout, so the E, I, O, U, T, and Space are grouped in the middle and the other characters further away according to their usage patterns. This can take a while for someone to learn who has always used a QWERTY layout, so these keyboards are also frequently available in the standard QWERTY layout as well.
Enlarged keyboards suit someone with large range of movement with a foot or arm, and less than optimal accuracy for a regular keyboard. A young man who had ataxic movement due to Cerebral Palsy used his so much and so well that the letter names would be worn off the keys. He is now doing well in a university business program....
For links to these products, see the Resource page for this module.