TIP TOP TyPING! Presentation by: Donna Brostek Lee, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky

The Role of Typing? Assistive technology (AT) has become an essential element in the lives of individuals who are blind and visually impaired, although this requires specific attention to teach the successful use of it. When addressing AT needs the following areas must be considered: Accessing information Producing communications Enhancing personal productivity Without the ability to rapidly input thoughts, using a computer or tablet is frustrating at best. The ability to communicate through writing and increase one’s productivity and organization is essential to success in school, work, and personal tasks.

Input Options In order to produce communications, one needs to input text. This can be accomplished by: Text to speech Typing QWERTY keyboard On screen keyboard Specialized keyboard (one handed, etc.) Refreshable braille display (six key entry)

Keyboards What type of keyboard should I use? Mark numbers on 5 and 0

Size Matters Size matters with little fingers! A smaller keyboard can make typing much easier for a young child, especially when learning to type one handed on a QWERTY keyboard. Measure the size from the left side of Q to the right side P. Standard keyboard 7 ¼” Smaller “hand span” 6 ½”

Proper Sitting Posture for Typing http://www.trianglespinecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/triangle-spine-center-good-posture.jpg

Teach Touch Typing Fast Dr. Denise Robinson (www.yourtechvision.com) – Learn how to teach touch typing fast and easily with a braille display. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNNrHY5qCg0

Perfect Touch Typing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGtHDAXIVJU

Pangrams 2. Quick zephyrs blow, vexing daft Jim. (29 letters) 1. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex. (28 letters) 2. Quick zephyrs blow, vexing daft Jim. (29 letters) 3. Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow. (29 letters) 4. Two driven jocks help fax my big quiz. (30 letters) 5. Five quacking zephyrs jolt my wax bed. (31 letters) 6. The five boxing wizards jump quickly. (31 letters) 7. Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs. (32 letters) 8. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. (35 letters) 9. Jinxed wizards pluck ivy from the big quilt. (36 letters) 10. Crazy Fredrick bought many very exquisite opal jewels. (46 letters) 11. We promptly judged antique ivory buckles for the next prize. (50 letters) 12. A mad boxer shot a quick, gloved jab to the jaw of his dizzy opponent. (54 letters) 13. Jaded zombies acted quaintly but kept driving their oxen forward. (55 letters) 14. The job requires extra pluck and zeal from every young wage earner. (55 letters) http://people.howstuffworks.com/14-pangrams.htm

One handed typing One hand keyboard vs. QWERTY http://www.onehandedkeyboard.com/ About one hand typing – Lilly Waters One hand typing manual $29-$49 (depending on format) http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/

One Hand Typing Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXIKBuvm5zA

Accessible Typing Programs TypeAbility www.yesaccessible.com Typio! www.accessibyte.com Talking Typer www.aph.org For Windows For iOS devices Note: All programs have the ability to create custom lessons.

TypeAbility Cost - $150 for a single installation Discount available with Federal Quota Funds Must run with Jaws, MAGic, or ZoomText Fusion Teaches typing and how to use the computer in 99 lessons Three full video tutorials available online www.yesaccessible.com

Typio! Cost - $100 for a single installation Designed for the blind and visually impaired Built in audio Visual enhancements (font size, color options, simple interface) Three modes: Progress Free Type Practice Provides detailed statistics on student progress www.accessibyte.com

Talking Typer Cost – Works with refreshable braille displays Contains: Windows - $89 iOS - $4.99 Both are available on Federal Quota Funds Designed for the blind and visually impaired Built in audio Works with refreshable braille displays Contains: 35 lessons/drills Hurry Scurry Game Provides results on drills to monitor improvement www.aph.org

TypeFaster Typing Tutor Free accessible download at: http://www.typefastertypingtutor.com/accversion.html Uses a free, text-to-speech engine No reviews available on this program, but give it a try for free!

Questions Dr. Donna Brostek Lee Clinical Assistant Professor Visual Impairment Program Faculty Chair University of Kentucky Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Rehabilitation Counseling 229 Taylor Education Building Lexington, KY 40506-0001 Phone: (859) 257-1520 E-mail: donna.b.lee@uky.edu An Equal Opportunity University