Programmable Keyboards
A programmable keyboard offers the flexibility of mapping the keyboard to suit the application or the user's input needs for content or access. A popular example is the "Intellikeys" which comes with overlays for both the Windows and Mac keyboards with mouse keys built in and adjustable response and repeat rates. This keyboard can be programmed with a software package to input strings of text or commands to the computer, and even read out text associated with the key as desired. This allows a teacher to create a customized overlay for a student to write a letter or journal, with common sentences or words under a paper overly which depict them in words or pictures. This type of early literacy activity frequently utilizes a talking word processor, so the text can be read back to the student. A student with poor targeting skills or playing a simple computer game can have only one or two items programmed and shown on the overlay. Overlays are quick to program and print off; a number of ready made overlays come with the products as well.
These keyboards can be equally useful in operating applications, such as web browsers. They can have functions like moving between links or to favorite sites and can call up text-to-speech software to read information out to students with literacy needs.