Keyguards are an access method.
What is a keyguard?
A keyguard is an accessory that can be placed on a communication device to create a barrier between buttons to improve motor accuracy.
Why use a keyguard?
Keyguards can help individuals with motor difficulties. Keyguards can help users avoid mis-hits and help guide their touches.
Factors to Consider
When ordering a keyguard, there are actually a lot of factors to consider!
- Material
- Plastic
- Wood
- 3-D Printed
- Height From Screen
- Too flush to the screen and doesn’t make much of a difference
- Too thick and it may make activating a button more difficult
- Shape of Button Holes
- Rectangular
- Circular
- Size of Button Holes
- Too large and the barrier between buttons can be broken more easily
- Too small and it may cause more difficulty accessing a button
- Attachment Method
- Straps
- Suction cup
- Magnet
- Snap In under the case
- Velcro
Before You Order
When ordering a keyguard you also need really specific information to make sure everything fits right! You need to know:
- The Device: An iPad? A mini? A Kindle? What size?
- The Case: What dimensions are the screen opening?
- Orientation: Will the user have the device setting horizontally or vertically?
- The App: What version exactly? Sometimes the version updates make just the slightest changes which can impact the fit of the keyguard.
- The Vocabulary: Within the app Touch Chat for example, there are many different vocabulary files to choose from. Word Power 42 Basic or Word Power 60 Basic?
TouchChat 42 basic
TouchChat 60 basic
Grid Super Core 30
Grid Super Core 50
Snap Core First
LAMP Words For Life
App Settings:
Once you decide on a keyguard there are a couple settings you can change in apps. This will be specific to whichever app you are using. Some examples include:
- Margin between buttons
- Background color
- Keyguard inset
Where to Buy:
There are several keyguard manufacturers. (Do you know of other ones? Please share in the comments!)
What are your favorite keyguard tricks? Have you ever tried one?
One response to “Keyguards: Improve Activation Accuracy”
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make your own keyguard using 3d printers and free software from Volksswithch.org
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