Chapter 5 Using Overlay Keyboards
•Sticky Keys. Most programs have Sticky Keys for people who cannot hold down two keys at once: the Shift or Control key is pressed first, then a letter key pressed next (see Chapter 3 Accessing the Keyboard for a full description of sticky keys).
•Mouse Pointer Control. Control of the mouse pointer is a very useful feature as many pupils who have difficulty with a standard keyboard also have problems with a mouse.
•Auditory Feedback. The keys on an overlay keyboard do not move or click when pressed so there is little feedback that a key has actually been activated. Most keyboards or programs give an auditory beep to confirm when a key is pressed. This is helpful for users with visual impairments, learning difficulties, or physical access problems.
•Digitised sound. Some programs let you use the keyboard to play back digitised recordings or sound or speech.
•Speech Output. Programs which can generate synthetic speech, instead of, or as well as, text can be useful to support literacy and writing or for interpersonal communication.
•Keyboard Response. Sometimes it is important to be able to adjust the response of the keyboard (see Chapter 3 Accessing the Keyboard for a description of the various adjustments), so the table shows which facilities are offered with each program.
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Table
| DRIVER SOFTWARE |
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| Overlay |
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| Comment |
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| Price Guide |
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| Supplier |
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| Keyboard |
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| Acorn, Windows PC |
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| Concept |
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| Flexible software with good |
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| £29 (free or |
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| SEMERC, |
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| £4 if bought |
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| Inclusive |
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| Informax |
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| Keyboards |
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| emulation features. |
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| with board) |
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| Technology |
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| Mac |
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| Concept |
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| Similar to Designer, but has multiple |
| £30 |
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| Concept |
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| Intercept |
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| Keyboards |
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| ‘layers’ e.g. lower & upper case |
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| Keyboard Co. |
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| Windows PC |
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| Concept |
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| For making and printing overlay files |
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| £60 (£14 if |
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| AU |
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| bought with |
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| Concept Plus |
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| Keyboards |
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| and overlays. |
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| Enterprises |
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| board) |
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| Windows PC |
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| Concept |
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| Concept Plus with sound, speech, |
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| AU |
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| Concept Plus |
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| video and a multimedia presentation |
| £95 |
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| Keyboards |
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| Enterprises |
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| Multimedia |
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| program |
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| Mac, Windows PC |
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| Authoring program for designing |
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| free with |
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| KCS, Semerc, |
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| Intellikeys |
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| multimedia activities and matching |
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| keyboard |
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| Inclusive |
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| Intellikeys |
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| overlays |
| (£239) |
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| Technology |
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| Mac, Windows PC |
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| Software for making custom overlays |
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| KCS, Semerc, |
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| Intellikeys |
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| £49 |
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| Inclusive |
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| Overlay Maker |
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| for IntelliKeys. |
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| Technology |
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| Mac, Windows PC |
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| Software for creating multimedia |
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| KCS, Semerc, |
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| Intellikeys |
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| £75 |
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| Inclusive |
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| IntelliPics |
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| activities for IntelliKeys keyboard |
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| Technology |
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| Mac |
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| Discover:Board |
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| Supplied |
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| Ke:nx On:Board |
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| Very comprehensive emulation and |
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| with board |
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| Don Johnston |
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| Discover/ Ke:nx |
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| speech output features |
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| (boards from |
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| Key Largo |
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| £350) |
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Refer to the suppliers’ catalogues for further details
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