Adaptive computing modifies computers to make them easier for people with disabilities to use. Solutions include hardware changes, software modifications, and external devices. Examples include screen readers, head movement cursor control, eye movement cursor control, and one-handed keyboards.
An adaptive computer is one that has been modified to make it easier for people with disabilities to use. This can cover a range of physical impairments, particularly vision and hearing problems and problems with hand and arm movements. Adaptive computing solutions may include such hardware changes, modifications to existing software, additional software or special external devices.
Some of the best known adaptive computing systems are screen readers. These read the text that appears on the screen to make it easier to use for people with limited or no vision. There is a wide variety of such systems, from tools built into Windows to dedicated applications. Many systems can also provide beeps as the user moves through a program’s menu systems.
For people with spinal cord injuries who are unable to control a computer using their arms, adaptive computer technology includes devices that allow them to control the cursor through head movements. In many cases these devices will allow the user to “type” by speaking, with the system using speech recognition technology. Where the injury is limited to the arms rather than the entire body, the user may be able to use a foot pedal mouse.
Even people with severe physical disabilities can benefit from an adaptive computing tool. For example, some systems include a pair of glasses with a tiny tracker that can detect eye movement. The user is then able to move a cursor with eye movement. They can also type by moving the cursor to a spot on an on-screen keyboard and then holding it there to “press” the key.
A lesser known adaptive computer technology is the field of keyboards that have been adapted for one-handed users. One option is a small, specially designed keyboard that has the standard QWERTY layout, but is easier to reach with one hand without extended arm movements. Another option is the semi-QWERTY keyboard which is set up so that the typist can only use one side of the keyboard. Pressing a key types the normal letter while holding down space, and pressing the key types the equivalent letter from the other side of the keyboard.
A third option is the DVORAK keyboard. This arranges the keyboard differently so that the most commonly used letters are together in the middle. This greatly reduces the amount of hand movement needed to type. Naturally, all three of these technologies will require relearning, particularly for people who have been in an accident and were previously able to type with both hands.
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