Stroke Survior
By Lin Wisman
There are many answers to the question of how to improve, or even make possible, the use of a computer by stroke survivors. Most survivors find themselves unable to use a computer with as much speed, as accurately, or many even at all after their stroke. One major issue is keyboarding.
The first step in broadening computer use is to ask yourself a series of questions. Because the situation can include making lots of mistakes, loss of speed, only being able to use one hand or not being able to use either, an assessment is in order.
1. What typing skills did you have before the stroke? Although you may not be able to get back to where you were originally, it is good to remind yourself where you came from. The goal is not necessarily to return to your original state. Attempting to go back in time is most likely going to cause disappointment.
2. Where do you envision yourself going? For example, is your goal to improve accuracy, find a keyboard alternative, use a regular keyboard more easily, or something else?
3. Do you use a spell checker? This is probably the simplest way to increase accuracy.
4. Would voice recognition software work for you? If you have speech problems this may not be a good solution. On the other hand, if your major problem is with your hands this might be an area to investigate.
5. Can you use two hands, one hand or neither hand? This will make a major difference in the approach to a solution.
Reread point 3. Make sure that you spell check everything before sending or printing. It is also important to carefully reread everything you write. It is easy to make mistakes. A spell checker will not pickup everything.
Don’t overdue it. If you are tired quit.
Hand exercises. Doing exercises can help hand flexibility.
Forgive yourself for problems and strive to overcome them. It does improve.
ONE HAND
There are two main approaches. Learn to type with one hand on a regular keyboard or find an alternative keyboard. A third approach is voice recognition software discussed in the No Hand section below. The advantage of using a regular keyboard is that you can type on any keyboard making it possible to use any computer.
If you choose to use a regular (qwerty, which is used by 99% of the English speaking world) keyboard there are books available to help you learn to type one handed. One such book is “One Hand Typing and Keyboarding Manual” by Lilly Walters. Of particular interest are the author’s comments at Amazon. Her discussion includes the use of the qwerty keyboard vs the Dvorak keyboard listed below. Click here
If your computer was not originally equipped with a qwerty keyboard you probably live in a country whose first language is not English. The scope of this article does not include data on what is available that easily conforms to other keyboards. I apologize. In most locations qwerty keyboards are available and will work with your computer. Most computers are qwerty based and if they work with another keyboard have been set to do so.
Investigate alternative keyboards. Possibilities include half qwerty, bat, maltron and dvorak. Comparisons of the first three keyboards listed can be found at
http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/bat.html. A comparison of qwerty, half qwerty, maltron and dvorak is located at http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/dvorak.html.
HALF-QWERTY
The Half-QWERTY typing technique is very similar to the standard two-handed touch-typing technique. You type with your good hand, just like you would on a normal keyboard. Except, the spacebar also works like a shift key. Holding it down gets you the letters of the missing half of the keyboard. Hitting the spacebar alone still types a space.
The finger movements used for Half-QWERTY typing are the same as those used for two-handed typing. So, if you're already a touch-typist, you already know them.
For a discussion on the half qwerty method see http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/halfqwerty.html
There is a half qwerty keyboard available for the left hand. However, either hand can use a “regular” keyboard.
Bat is a one-handed, compact input device that replicates all the functions of a full-size keyboard, but with greater efficiency and convenience. Letters, numbers, commands and macros are simple key combinations. The BAT is a typing solution for persons with physical or visual impairments. Select PC or Macintosh Platform / Left or Right Hand configuration. See http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/bat.html. There is a picture of this device on the web page.
Maltron: The special shape and letter layout have been very carefully planned; taking into account the limited number of keys that can be accessed quickly and comfortably. Word-processing input speeds of 60 words per minute have been demonstrated by operators using Maltron single-handed keyboards See http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/bat.html. There is a picture of this keyboard on the web page.
Free Dvorak Layouts from Microsoft
for one handed typists are available if you use Windows 2000 Professional, Windows Millennium, Windows 98, and Windows
NT 3.51 and higher. You will need to change your keyboard settings to use the
Dvorak layouts. Microsoft includes instructions on their web pages at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q95141&
Stickers are available for the keyboard. Dvorak layouts are supplied for those with the use of both hands as well as for those with one hand. See a review by a user and other helpful links at http://home1.gte.net/bharrell/index.htm.
There are two solutions: voice recognition and alternative keyboarding systems. Voice recognition system involves purchasing software, which turns your spoken word into print. It may not be a good solution if you have speech problems.
DRAGON NATURALLYSPEAKING® 6.0
Dragon NaturallySpeaking® 6.0 can create documents as fast as you can speak. There are several versions available. Visit their website at http://www.scansoft.com/naturallyspeaking/ for more information.
There
are systems available if you do not have the use of either hand and voice
recognition is not for you. One example is the one used by our CEO, Steve
Mallory. He purchased an infrared headpointer from Prentke Romich, which
allows him to move the cursor by turning his head, and an on-screen keyboard
software package called WiViK2, which allows him to type using his head and
eyes instead of his fingers. Steve now surfs the Web with ease and designs and
maintains the Stroke Network website
To see an article recently published in the magazine edesign click
http://www.edesignmag.com/efeat/feat_may/ef_2.htm
I hope that this intro to various options help you navigate information on alternatives. Hopefully the end product will be that you are able to increase your keyboarding ability.
Copyright © August 2002
The Stroke Network, Inc.
P.O. Box 492 Abingdon,
Maryland 21009
All rights reserved.