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Chapter 5 Using Overlay Keyboards
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Who Might Use an Overlay Keyboard?
The main advantage of overlay keyboards is that dedicated overlays can be tailored to suit the
individual user and a particular task, thereby simplifying and improving access and control. Their use
is not confined to special needs: overlay keyboards are used as input devices for retail, stock control
and automatic cash machines – wherever a limited set of options needs to be presented.
Physical / Perceptual Difficulties
Pupils with physical or perceptual difficulties who find it hard to press the small keys on a standard
keyboard may be able to use overlay keyboards with overlays designed to suit their particular needs.
For example, the keys can be made different sizes, spaced further apart and arranged in a helpful
layout, say with common keys grouped together.
Visual Impairment
Pupils with visual impairment may benefit from overlays created in high contrast colours (e.g.
yellow on black); with large letter sizes; or clear space around each key.
Young and Early Learners
Young and early learners who are unfamiliar with the standard ‘QWERTY’ layout may find the
full keyboard confusing. Overlay keyboards with keys printed in a lower case or ‘primary
handwriting’ font or arranged in alphabetic order (Figure 5-3) may be simpler and easier to use.
Figure 5-3 IntelliKeys alphabetic layout
Overlays can be created with layouts and functions matched to the target application. For example,
the Discover:Board overlay shown below can be used to control the mouse pointer for
‘point-and-click’ programs.