Technology

Developing keyboard skills – technology information sheet

Summary: This information sheet contains various methods of developing keyboard skills.

• Why develop keyboard skills?
• How do these courses work?
• All-in-one solutions
• Computer based programs – availability and cost
• Alternative methods for developing keyboard skills
• Further information

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Why develop keyboard skills?

Whatever your sight difficulty, learning your way around the keyboard and learning to touch type are important skills to learn. At the most basic level these skills allow you to increase the speed at which you can prepare documents and input information into a PC. For many tasks, using a keyboard can often be faster than using a mouse.

For people with little or no useful vision, keyboard input is usually the only realistic way to both input data and control a PC. Although great strides have been made in voice recognition software, the most practical and accurate way for someone with sight problems to control a PC is by use of a keyboard. If a blind or partially sighted person has an additional disability which meant that input using a keyboard was impossible, then voice input would be considered but only in combination with a speech output system.

There are a number of programs available, which use speech output to inform the user of what the computer is displaying on the screen. There is more information about these in our ‘Using a computer without vision’ information sheet. For users who might find screen magnification software useful, please have a look at our ‘Using a computer with low vision’ information sheet.

A number of programs and courses are available for people with sight problems to enable them to learn keyboard skills. The choice of program is a subjective one, and it is important to try one or more programs to find the most suitable one. A number of the computer-based courses listed are available as free demonstration versions that can be downloaded from the internet. Demonstrations may also be available on disk from the supplier of the product.

The section dealing with computer based programs contains a range of programs, from mainstream programs to those programs specifically designed for blind and partially sighted users. Some people may prefer more traditional methods, for example a tape based course, which will teach them how to touch type. Other people may simply wish to improve their keyboard skills and this can be accomplished through familiarisation with keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts can be of great use to anyone and using a keyboard rather than a mouse can often be substantial faster for many actions such as cut and paste for example.

Program designers have long used keyboard shortcuts as part of their program designs, and all computer programs should provide keystroke combinations as alternatives to the use of a mouse for control. This means that people with sight problems who only use a keyboard can have as much control over a PC as someone who is using a mouse.

How do these courses work?

All keyboard courses are based on a series of exercises that are designed to familiarise the new user with the keyboard layout as well as the correct finger and hand positions for typing.

Once these have been learnt a series of lessons are worked through which are designed to cover the whole range and use of the keyboard. Some of the programs give both feedback and allow the user to repeat and store lessons. Some programs have the ability for the fonts and / or colours displayed within the program to be altered, the benefit of these alterations varies but they may enable some partially sighted people to use them. However this is a judgement that can only be made by the user.

If the program is being used solely by a person with sight difficulties, then one of the specialist programs designed for blind and partially sighted people would probably be the most beneficial. These programs give additional help by means of user configurable displays so that text on screen can be enlarged, and text colour or / and background colour can be changed. In addition the programs listed in the Specialist Software section all have additional assistance in the form of speech output. The speech includes features such as having instructions read, instruction on what needs to be typed read and an echo of what has been typed.

If the person is a screen reader user, it may be necessary to temporarily disable the sound output from either the talking typing tutor or the screen reader to avoid repetition of speech. Other typing courses rely on tape based information and may be more suitable if the individual wants to develop skills using a word processor or standard typewriter.

All-in-one solutions

Port-Type

Port-Type is a speech enabled electronic typewriter designed for people with sight problems. It now incorporates the Touch Typing Tutor program from Portset
Available from Portset
Approx £1,050

Computer based programs – availability and cost

Mainstream software

These programs are typically found advertised for sighted people to develop keyboard skills. They may be suitable for some partially sighted people using screen magnification software at low settings. But it is important to try before buying to make sure the product is right for you, as suitability is a judgement only the user can make. The display area of these programs is usually fixed at a certain display resolution, but by adjusting the monitor resolution, the accessibility of the program for some partially sighted people may be improved. It is important to note that how useful this software is depends very much on the amount of vision the user has and how much the program can be modified.

Accutype

It has a degree of user customisation to allow some changes to colours and font sizes to be changed.
Available from Accu-Tech Software Services
Approx £20

Type Quick

A mainstream typing tutor that may be suitable for some partially sighted users.
Available from Comprix Courseware Ltd
Approx £70

Specialist software

This software has been specifically designed to allow people with sight problems to learn to touch type using a PC. This means that individuals can develop their keyboard skills at their own pace without the need for formal lessons or a teacher to be present. All of these products provide voice output as well as allow font size and colours to be changed. This allows people with all levels of vision including those with no useful vision to carry out the typing lessons.

These products can be used by people with sight problems, without the need to immediately purchase screen reader or screen magnification software. However it is only the typing tutor that is voiced, and consequently some form of access technology will be needed to use any other program on the PC. Most screen reader and screen magnification software packages do work with these products, although the speech output from the typing tutor or screen reader may need to be disabled to minimise repetition of output.

Azabat Touch-Typing Tutor

Designed specifically for blind and partially sighted people. The beginners version introduces touch-typing and teaches the basic layout of the keyboard through letter and word drills. The advanced version builds on this foundation and develops typing speed and accuracy. Both versions are self voiced and do not require an additional screen reader. They also run direct from the CD and do not need to be installed. Both the Azabat Beginners Typing Tutor and the Azabat Advanced Typing Tutor versions are available to order from RNIB. Priced £30 each or £50 for both.

Iota Touch Type

Text can be altered to the needs of the user according to font style, size and colour. The built-in speech output speaks out the letters as you progress, it also informs you of your progress and where you need more practice.
Available from Iota and others including Inclusive Technology

Approx £45

Key Speak

It has complete speech output and speaks to you as it guides you around the computer keyboard and introduces you to all the keys available.
Available from various suppliers including Portset
Approx £95

Talking Typer

In addition to speech output the text displayed can be customised, allowing size, font and colour of text to be changed.
Available from American Printing House for the Blind
Approx $89

Centre Touch Typing Tutor

As well as having a speech output facility it enables the setting up of different colours, dimensions, and fonts for the exercise text displayed.

The Centre Touch Typing Tutor is no longer being developed or supported. It is available free from the University of Birmingham.

Alternative methods for developing keyboard skills

This section contains information about alternative ways for developing touch typing skills, such as tape based typing tutorials. This section also contains information about resources for learning other keyboard skills.

Further education colleges

Some local colleges offer typing courses, however these are primarily aimed at mainstream users. Depending on the level of vision and the resources available for users with sight problems, these may provide a suitable alternative to self taught PC based courses. It is important to check with your local college about the availability of such courses and whether any additional resources are available for students with sight problems.

Keyboard shortcuts

These are keystrokes that use one or more key combinations of the keyboard to control the PC. These keyboard shortcuts allow operations that would normally be carried out using a mouse to be carried out by using the keyboard. An example of this would be pressing the ALT and F4 keys together to close the active window. A number of organisations produce information on the keyboard shortcuts that are available within the Windows operating systems.

RNIB Technology Information Service can provide keyboard shortcuts for Windows, Microsoft Office, some access technology products and various other popular programs. Using your PC - further information

AbilityNet provide a factsheet called "Keyboard shortcuts in Windows" which is available from them in various formats and in Adobe PDF format on their website. AbilityNet factsheets

Microsoft provide a list of keyboard shortcuts on their website. Microsoft keyboard assistance

Learning to touch type

This is a basic course comprising three cassettes and a booklet. A typewriter or computer is used to complete the exercises. It is suitable for someone with no useful vision.
Available from RNIB Customer Services
Approx £15

Aesop

Aesop can be connected to a PC keyboard as a teaching aid for keyboard skills. A PC is not required. It is not a typing tutor but announces keystrokes by artificial speech and calculates typing speed up to 99 words per minute.

Available from Techno-Vision

Approx £139

Where can I buy touch typing tutors?

Read our list of suppliers contact details

Further information

This information sheet is intended as an introduction to the subject for blind and partially sighted people and their supporters. It is not intended as a complete list of all products and services available, nor should it be inferred that products and services mentioned in this information sheet are recommended or endorsed by RNIB.

Technology Information Service
Email technology@rnib.org.uk
Technology homepage
Telelephone 0845 900 0015

Information sheet updated August 2008.

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Content author: technology@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 12/08/2008 17:25