DualScribe: a keyboard replacement for those with friedreich's ataxia and related diseases

  • Authors:
  • Torsten Felzer;I. Scott MacKenzie;Stephan Rinderknecht

  • Affiliations:
  • Institute for Mechatronic Systems, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany;Department of Computer Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto, Canada;Institute for Mechatronic Systems, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany

  • Venue:
  • ICCHP'12 Proceedings of the 13th international conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs - Volume Part II
  • Year:
  • 2012

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

An alternative text composition method is introduced, comprising a small special-purpose keyboard as an input device and software to make text entry fast and easy. The work was inspired by an FA (Friedreich's Ataxia) patient who asked us to develop a viable computer interaction solution --- taking into account the specific symptoms induced by his disease. The outcome makes text entry easier than with the standard keyboard without being slower. It is likely that the system has general use for anyone with a similar condition, and also for able-bodied users looking for a small-size keyboard. We present a usability study with four participants showing the method's effectiveness.