Keyboard shortcuts – enter KeyCue

It’s useful to have a starting point when looking at Assistive Technologies (AT). We will work initially using two assumptions. Let’s consider as a baseline users with limited use of their hands, certainly those with little finger dexterity remaining. They can press a key, but typing is best performed using their eye-tracker and on-screen keyboard (Optikey or Click2Speak).

I’m waiting for my eyetribe™ tracker to arrive with its associated software, so for the moment I will deal with AT software components rather than workflows. A working knowledge of various apps capabilities brings a lightbulb moment when we realise how we might use them within our unique situation.

The Mission – Access & Control

Look at inspirational individuals like Gal Sont.

Their dogmatic refusal to be cowed, to take the hand dealt them, shuffle then replay it is admirable. Gal (a developer – PC man) has fashioned an on-screen keyboard that can be controlled through an eye-tracker. What’s more he is giving it away for free. Not only has this happened in Israel, Julius Sweetland (another PC developer driven by altruism¹) is doing much the same here in the UK. Doesn’t that make you want to jump on your chair and clap?