Research in Developmental Disabilities 35 (2014) 2129–2136
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Research in Developmental Disabilities
Assisting people with multiple disabilities to improve computer typing efficiency through a mouse wheel and On-Screen Keyboard software Ching-Hsiang Shih * Department of Special Education, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
A R T I C L E I N F O
A B S T R A C T
Article history: Received 25 April 2014 Accepted 28 April 2014 Available online
The main purpose of this study was to find out whether three students with multiple disabilities could increase their keyboard typing performance by poking the standard mouse scroll wheel with the newly developed Dynamic Typing Assistive Program (DTAP) and the built-in On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) computer software. The DTAP is a software solution that allows users to complete typing tasks with OSK software easily, quickly, and accurately by poking the mouse wheel. This study was performed according to a multiple baseline design across participants, and the experimental data showed that all of the participants significantly increased their typing efficiency in the intervention phase. Moreover, this improved performance was maintained during the maintenance phase. Practical and developmental implications of the findings were discussed. ß 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: OSK Multiple disabilities Mouse wheel DTAP
1. Introduction In the Information Age, computers are widely used and play an important role in our daily life. With the assistance of computer technologies, people with disabilities are able to enhance their capabilities in terms of communication, education, employment, and independent living, and have more opportunities to participate in social activities (Davies, Stock, & Wehmeyer, 2002a, 2002b; Houlihan et al., 2003). A keyboard is a basic input device for texting messages or entering commands to control the computer. In general, a standard keyboard is designed for normal users, without taking into account that it might be used by people with disabilities. Disabled users often encounter difficulties and obstacles when using a standard keyboard, and need to use specially designed assistive devices or alternative keyboards (Cook & Hussey, 2002). For instance, a cherry compact keyboard is a small size keyboard that can fit on a wheelchair tray (Aidis, 2014); a keyguard is a metal or plastic cover for the keyboard with drilled holes that can be helpful for users with fine motor difficulties to help them avoid pressing the wrong keys (Fentek, 2014); the look and functionality of a IntelliKeys keyboard can be changed by sliding in different overlays to match users’ needs (IntelliTools, 2014), etc.
* Correspondence to: Department of Special Education, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 970, Taiwan, ROC. Tel.: +886 3 8634881; fax: +886 3 8634870. E-mail address: [email protected] http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.04.030 0891-4222/ß 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Fig. 1. On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) software is a visual keyboard on the computer screen that allows people to enter data using a mouse or other pointing device.
The On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) software (Wiki, 2014) is an alternative keyboard input mode that is now a built-in function of the Windows Operating System (OS). Instead of relying on a physical keyboard, it displays a visual keyboard with all the standard keys on the computer screen so that users can select keys on the screen using a mouse or other pointing devices (Microsoft, 2013), as shown in Fig. 1. OSK software can reduce the reliance on physical keyboards and can enable people who have difficulties using a standard keyboard to complete typing tasks by operating a mouse. To use OSK software, the prerequisite is that users must possess basic mouse operation ability in order to move the computer cursor accurately. Most computer operating systems now conform to Graphical User Interface (GUI) design, making a mouse one of the important input devices for a computer. In the same way as standard keyboards, most standard mice are designed for the mainstream population, without taking into account that these devices might also be used by people with disabilities who frequently encounter computer operation problems. For people with fine motor difficulties or physical disabilities, it is difficult or impossible to use OSK software with a standard mouse precisely due to frequently encountered mouse operation problems such as the inability to aim at small targets, difficulty in moving a mouse device, or difficulty in controlling the mouse buttons (e.g. inability to press the buttons or to relocate the cursor from the target after clicking), etc. To solve this issue and provide disabled people with the opportunity to use a computer, various specialized alternative computer pointing devices have been proposed to meet the needs of people with disabilities (Brodwin, Star, & Cardoso, 2004; Hedrick, Pape, Heinemann, Ruddell, & Reis, 2006; Tu, Tao, & Huang, 2007). Normally, compared to standard devices, these specially designed input devices have some disadvantages due to their specific design: (a) costs of these devices are higher than standard ones, (b) they are more difficult to obtain or maintain, and (c) the shapes are quite different from standard devices, and thus may weaken users’ intention to use these specially designed devices. In contrast, there are many advantages to standard devices, such as low cost, good technical support, wide accessibility, etc. Therefore, turning standard devices into high performance computer input assistive devices can offer people with disabilities the opportunity to use these standard devices, and provide them with additional choices in terms of computer assistive technology. To make each hardware device function properly in a computer, a corresponding driver program is required. For example, a keyboard requires a keyboard driver program, and a mouse requires a mouse driver program (Microsoft, 2008b), etc. Generally, a driver program is provided by an OS vendor or a hardware manufacturer for the purpose of ensuring that the connected hardware device can function normally. Since a mouse is a standard device for a computer, its driver program is already built into the OS, meaning that there is no need to change the driver. If a mouse is connected to a computer, the OS will identify it as a mouse device and will install its standard driver automatically. As a result, a mouse device will be set to its default functions and these functions cannot be changed. Redesigning or modifying a mouse driver can reset the mouse functions and turn it into a more powerful tool, but this technique is rarely proposed by researchers because it is very complicated, with high technical threshold and requiring complex software technology (Microsoft, 2008a, 2008c, 2008d). Few studies have been carried out using software technology to redesign a mouse driver to reset the default functions of a mouse and turn it into a high performance computer assistive input device dedicated to helping people with disabilities (Shih, 2011a, 2011b; Shih, Chiu, et al., 2010; Shih, Huang, Liao, Shih, & Chiang, 2010; Shih, Li, Shih, Lin, & Lo, 2010; Shih & Shih, 2010; Shih, Shih, & Peng, 2010; Shih, Shih, & Wang, 2010). A software-based mouse driver solution is powerful because it enables a standard mouse to be adapted to the special needs of people with disabilities, and provides disabled people with choices in terms of being able to operate a computer using a standard mouse like people without disabilities. Therefore, in this study, the concept of allowing people with disabilities to have the opportunity to use a standard computer is discussed. The Dynamic Typing Assistive Program (DTAP) software was developed to help people with disabilities who have difficulties typing using standard keyboards to perform computer typing tasks efficiently and precisely.
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Fig. 2. Scroll wheels are prevalent on modern computer mice and are used for scrolling, zooming or other functions related to software.
The default functions of a mouse device were reset via DTAP software to (a) disable the function of moving the mouse device to move the cursor (i.e. the computer cursor will not be moved even if the mouse device is moved) in order to avoid cursor target offset due to the user touching the mouse inadvertently, (b) modify the mouse scroll wheel function so that users can move the cursor quickly and precisely with OSK software by poking the mouse scroll wheel with their thumb/finger. A mouse scroll wheel (as shown in Fig. 2) is now a standard feature of a mouse device, normally located between the left and right buttons (Wikipedia, 2009), and some special mouse devices have two scroll wheels. The mouse can detect any tiny rotation of the wheel which is activated by the thumb/finger, and allows the user to roll the scroll wheel to control scrolling, zooming or other functions. Poking a mouse scroll wheel only needs a slight thumb/finger movement, therefore, a mouse scroll wheel is suitable for disabled people who have little ability to control their limbs to use it (Shih, 2011b; Shih, Chang, & Shih, 2009; Shih, Shih, Lin, & Chiang, 2009). For example, people who have extensive paralysis of their bodies can effectively control the mouse with only very limited movements. The key technology of DTAP is the redesigned mouse driver which intercepts the mouse wheel’s scrolling and moving actions. Without this technique, the standard mouse’s function cannot be modified to meet the needs of this study. This study combined the DTAP technique with OSK software to turn a standard mouse device into a high-tech assistive keyboard input device. Instead of using expensive customized input devices, disabled people can use a standard mouse that has been modified to perform computer keyboard operations. 2. Methods 2.1. Participants There were three subjects in this study, and their background information is listed in Table 1. All of the participants’ parents were informed of this study and agreed to allow their children to participate in the experiment. 2.2. Apparatus and setting 2.2.1. On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) software There is no limitation on using OSK software, as long as it is installed in a Windows-compatible environment. Microsoft Windows 7 (Chinese version) and built-in OSK software were used in this study (as shown in Fig. 1).
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Table 1 Background information of three subjects. Subjects
Huang
Sex Age Type Level Cognitive ability
Male 17 Multiple disabilities with cerebral palsy Severe Language comprehension is good and can understand the teacher’s instructions Visual and auditory abilities are good 1. Right-handed 2. Type with the thumb, but will press other keys inadvertently due to excessive tension
Sensory capabilities Keyboard operating ability
Mouse operating ability
Cannot move the mouse to the target position precisely, but can use the thumb to click the mouse and scroll the wheel
Ping
Wang
17
18
Moderate
Severe
1. Left-handed 2. Type with the index finger, but will press other keys inadvertently due to excessive tension Cannot move the mouse to the target position precisely, but can use the index finger to click the mouse and scroll the wheel
1. Left-handed 2. Type with the index finger, but will press other keys inadvertently due to excessive tension Move the mouse with both hands, use the index finger to click the mouse and scroll the wheel; cannot effectively click, as offset was occurring while clicking
2.2.2. DTAP software As shown in Fig. 3, the center of each key of the OSK software was set with a pre-defined position, marked as P1, P2 . . . P94, for example, the ‘‘Esc’’ key was P1 and the ‘‘PgUp’’ key was P20. Without the assistance of DTAP, a user has to move the cursor to aim at the key and click, and then the OSK software will respond to the corresponding key messages. It is not problematic for most people to use OSK software, but it can be quite difficult for people with disabilities due to their lack of ability to precisely control the mouse. The DTAP is a software solution to help disabled users move a mouse cursor to pre-defined positions accurately and easily. Firstly, it disables the function of moving the mouse device to move the cursor so the computer cursor will not be moved even if the mouse device is moved. This design is to avoid the targeted cursor offset due to the user touching the mouse inadvertently. Secondly, it modifies the mouse scroll wheel function so that the action of poking the mouse scroll wheel will move the cursor to aim it at the defined positions P1, P2 . . . P94. With the technique of DTAP, when the user pokes the mouse scroll wheel forward, the cursor will be moved from its current position to the next pre-defined position in the order of P1 ! P2 ! . . . ! P93 ! P94 ! P1 ! . . .; whereas, the cursor will be moved in the order of P94 ! P93 ! . . . ! P2 ! P1 ! P94 ! . . . if the user pokes the mouse scroll wheel backward. Since P1, P2 . . . P94 have been set on all keys of the OSK software, users can select target keys quickly and easily by poking the mouse wheel. For example, if the user wants to click the ‘‘PgUp’’ key (P20), he/she can quickly scroll the mouse wheel, once the cursor is shifted to the P20, the ‘‘PgUp’’ key input will be performed by clicking the left button on the mouse. Moreover, due to DTAP disabling the function of moving the mouse device to move the cursor, the cursor will not be out of position even if the user moves the mouse unintentionally because of unstable control caused by his or her disabilities.
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Fig. 3. All keys of the On-Screen Keyboard were set with pre-defined positions, marked as P1, P2 . . . P94.
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Therefore, by combing the DTAP technique and OSK software, a standard mouse device can become a high-tech keyboard input assistive device. Using this combination, people with disabilities do not need to move the mouse device precisely; instead, they can easily poke the mouse scroll wheel to click the targeted key of the OSK software. In other words, disabled people can use a standard device to operate a computer just like anyone else, without using expensive customized keyboard input devices. 2.2.3. Computer typing evaluation software (CTES) In this study, computer typing evaluation software (CTES) was designed to evaluate test results of the three participants. CTES could provide repeated OSK typing practice for participants and record their number of correct key entries within a certain period of time. When CTES is activated, the program will randomly select a key (for example, key ‘‘B’’) and the subject needs to type the correct key (i.e. key ‘‘B’’) using the standard keyboard or OSK software. After a subject enters the correct key, a successful key input is recorded and CTES will then randomly select a new key, and so on. This process was repeated until the end of test time, and the number of correct key entries within 3 min was recorded for each subject. 2.3. Experimental conditions This study used a multiple baseline design across participants (Richards, Taylor, Ramasamy, & Richards, 1999). The experiment was carried out in an activity room at the participant’s school. CTES was adopted during the experiment to record the number of correct key entries within 3 min. Participants typically received three DTAP training sessions per week, for a period of about 6–7 weeks. The number of correct key entries within 3 min of each session was counted and recorded. Experiments were divided into three phases: (1) baseline phase: experiments were carried out at least three times to collect data on the participant’s performance during the baseline phase; (2) intervention phase: estimate the efficiency of DTAP technical intervention; (3) maintenance phase: observe the maintenance of participants’ performance after the intervention of DTAP. 2.3.1. Baseline In this phase, two different methods of participants’ typing were measured: (1) typing with standard keyboards: three data points were collected for all participants to estimate participants’ typing performance using standard keyboards, and (2) typing with OSK software without the DTAP function: three data points were also collected for all participants to estimate participants’ typing performance using OSK software without the DTAP function. 2.3.2. Intervention In this phase, the DTAP function was enabled and the OSK software was also activated. Participants could move the cursor to aim at target keys quickly and precisely, with little effort, by poking the mouse scroll wheel. At the beginning of this phase, Huang first received training in DTAP use while Ping and Wang were probed for the purpose of collecting their baseline data at intervals. Ping received DTAP training once Huang’s performance was consolidated, and Wang underwent DTAP training until Ping’s performance was consolidated. DTAP training in this phase continued until each participant’s performance was consolidated. During the intervention phase, 11 experimental sessions were carried out with each participant. Each session lasted 30 min, and consisted of 5 min of DTAP instruction, 15 min of DTAP practice, 7 min of rest and a 3-min CTES assessment. The arrangement of each 30-min session was as follows: (a) DTAP instruction (5 min): During the instruction period, a research assistant provided DTAP guidance to participants to allow them to learn how to complete a typing task through poking a mouse scroll wheel. (b) Typing practice (15 min): Participants were free to practice poking the scroll wheel to move the cursor to aim at keys of the OSK software. (c) Rest (7 min): Participants took a rest for 7 min after practicing. (d) Assessment (3 min): CTES was adopted to assess the participants’ typing efficiency with DTAP assistance. The number of each participant’ correct key entries within 3 min was recorded as input for assessment.
2.3.3. Maintenance This phase began one week after the end of the intervention phase and was used to assess whether the participants could maintain the skills that they had acquired during the intervention phase. Experimental conditions in this phase were the same as in the intervention phase, but participants carried out the 3-min CTES assessment directly, without any DTAP instruction or typing practice.
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3. Results Fig. 4 shows the typing performance of the three participants in each phase. The curves show that all participants improved their typing efficiency in the intervention phase, and maintained their acquired skills during the maintenance phase. 3.1. Baseline In the baseline phase, two typing methods were carried out: blue rhombuses represent participants’ typing performance using the standard keyboard, while gray triangles stand for participants’ typing performance using the OSK software. 3.1.1. Using the standard keyboard Huang typed with the thumb of his right hand using a standard keyboard, he could hit the correct keys, but the number of errors was high. He pressed other keys inadvertently due to excessive muscle tension and the number of correct key entries per minute was 1.00, 0.67 and 1.00. He revealed negative attitudes due to the high number of typing errors.
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Fig. 4. Experimental data of the three participants.
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Ping typed with the index finger of his left hand and showed positive attitudes toward participating in the experiment. Like Huang, he also pressed other keys inadvertently due to the excessive tension caused by cerebral palsy. Therefore, his baseline data was not high, with 1.67, 1.33 and 1.33 correctly keyed entries per minute, respectively. Wang was very similar to Ping, and also typed with his index finger. Due to the phenomenon of excessive tension, Wang also pressed other keys inadvertently while typing. The number of successful typing entries per minute was 1.67, 2.00 and 1.00 in this phase. 3.1.2. Using the OSK software Huang moved the mouse with his right hand. He could click the mouse button successfully when the cursor was aimed at the correct position, but spent a lot of time moving the cursor to target positions due to excessive tension in his hand. Since it took him a long time to move the cursor, the number of correct key entries per minute was low, 0, 0.33 and 0.33 in the baseline phase. Ping operated the mouse with his left hand and clicked the button with his index finger. Like Huang, he could not move the cursor effectively and precisely to target positions due to the same excessive tension problem. His performance in the baseline phase was not good, as the experimental data indicates he only achieved 0.67, 0.33 and 0 correct key entries in the respective sessions. Wang also had an excessive muscle tension problem and needed to move the mouse using both hands together. He clicked the mouse button with his index finger when the cursor was moved to the target position, but cursor offset and invalid clicks frequently occurred due to him shifting the mouse while clicking. The three baseline data for Wang were 1.00, 2.00 and 1.33. 3.2. Intervention In the intervention phase, with the intervention of the DTAP technique, participants could poke the mouse scroll wheel to select keys of the OSK software, and thus, this operation was much easier than it was in the baseline phase. Huang first underwent the intervention phase. He poked the mouse scroll wheel with the thumb of his right hand and felt happy and excited when seeing the mouse cursor position changing as a result of his poking the mouse scroll wheel. Compared to the baseline phase, he was able to select target keys fast and accurately using fine motor control to poke the wheel. Therefore, Huang’s number of correct key entries per minute rapidly increased, reaching an average of 5.15 in this phase. Ping was also very excited about the DTAP intervention, since it meant he could select the correct key faster and with less effort in this phase. The experimental results for Ping also increased rapidly, with the average number of his successful typing entries per minute reaching 5.48. According to the data, Wang also showed better performance compared to the baseline phase. His average number of successful typing entries per minute increased to 4.64 in the intervention phase. The data for the three participants showed that using a finger to poke the scroll wheel to control the cursor position was more efficient than the traditional way of typing with a standard keyboard. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (Siegel & Castellan, 1988) showed that the improved typing performance of the three participants from the baseline to the intervention phase was statistically significant (p < 0.01). 3.3. Maintenance Huang underwent the experiment of the maintenance phase one week after the end of the intervention phase. The number of successful typing entries per minute for Huang reached a mean of 4.67 during this phase, which was close to the number of 5.15 in the intervention phase. Ping’s performance was quite stable, with his three experimental data scores being 5.67, 5.33 and 5.33, respectively, which represented a mean of 5.44. The mean of Wang was 4.78, and this number was also close to the result of 4.64 in the intervention phase. In summary, all three participants retained the acquired operating skill from the intervention phase and maintained a high degree of typing efficiency in this phase. 4. Discussion Keyboards and mice are very important input devices for computers, however, people with disabilities cannot use these standard devices due to their poor control of their limbs, lack of hand-eye coordination, the problem of excessive muscle tension in their hands, etc. They need to use special designed computer input assistive devices. The types and levels of disability of each disabled person are quite different, therefore, specially designed assistive technology devices cannot meet all the needs of all people with disabilities. Most assistive technology devices require appropriate adjustments and must be designed to meet the special needs of each individual person with disabilities. Compared to standard devices, these specially designed assistive devices have the following disadvantages: (1) their prices are higher than standard devices, (2) they are difficult to obtain and maintain, and (3) their outer appearances are different from standard devices, and this may reduce users’ willingness to use them. Turning a standard device into a high-tech assistive technology device was the purpose and guiding imperative of this study. This study adopted software driver technology and proposed a new operating mode to allow people with typing
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difficulties to use standard mouse devices to effectively perform computer typing, rather than relying on special assistive devices. With the DTAP technique, a standard mouse device could be turned into an alternative keyboard assistive device, and doing so improved the participants’ typing performance. This study combined the DTAP technique and OSK software, which allowed users to move the cursor to target positions of the OSK software easily, quickly and accurately by simply poking the mouse scroll wheel. The DTAP is a software solution, and thus can be widely distributed and downloaded via the Internet. Disabled people can purchase any proper mouse devices they want, and then install DTAP software and execute the OSK software built-in to their computer to make the mouse devices become special assistive devices to meet their personal needs. According to the experimental results, participants’ typing performance increased rapidly in the intervention phase, and participants could maintain their acquired skills during the maintenance phase. However, the limitation of this study was that only three students participated in this study. Further studies are necessary to extend the applications of DTAP for more people with different types and levels of disability. Furthermore, participants could select OSK keys only by poking the mouse scroll wheel forward and backward to move through a sequence in this study (i.e. Linear scanning), therefore, further studies could consider arranging a more efficient algorithm (ex. Row-Column scanning, Group-Row-Item scanning, etc.) to accelerate the process of OSK key selection and bring this research closer to practicality. Hopefully, this software-based assistive technology solution can give people with disabilities more flexibility and provide them with additional choices in terms of computer assistive technology. Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank the National Science Council, Taiwan, ROC for financially supporting this research under Contract No. NSC 102-2511-S-259-012. References Aidis (2014). Cherry compact keyboard Retrieved from: http://www.aidis.org/item/cherry-compact-keyboard-and-guard.html?category_id=22 Brodwin, M. G., Star, T., & Cardoso, E. (2004). Computer assistive technology for people who have disabilities: Computer adaptations and modifications. Journal of Rehabilitation, 70, 28–33. Cook, A. M., & Hussey, S. M. (2002). Assistive technologies: Principles and practice. St. Louis, MO Mosby, Inc.. Davies, D. K., Stock, S. E., & Wehmeyer, M. L. (2002a). 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Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Research in Developmental Disabilities
Assisting people with multiple disabilities to improve computer typing efficiency through a mouse wheel and On-Screen Keyboard software Ching-Hsiang Shih * Department of Special Education, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
A R T I C L E I N F O
A B S T R A C T
Article history: Received 25 April 2014 Accepted 28 April 2014 Available online
The main purpose of this study was to find out whether three students with multiple disabilities could increase their keyboard typing performance by poking the standard mouse scroll wheel with the newly developed Dynamic Typing Assistive Program (DTAP) and the built-in On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) computer software. The DTAP is a software solution that allows users to complete typing tasks with OSK software easily, quickly, and accurately by poking the mouse wheel. This study was performed according to a multiple baseline design across participants, and the experimental data showed that all of the participants significantly increased their typing efficiency in the intervention phase. Moreover, this improved performance was maintained during the maintenance phase. Practical and developmental implications of the findings were discussed. ß 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: OSK Multiple disabilities Mouse wheel DTAP
1. Introduction In the Information Age, computers are widely used and play an important role in our daily life. With the assistance of computer technologies, people with disabilities are able to enhance their capabilities in terms of communication, education, employment, and independent living, and have more opportunities to participate in social activities (Davies, Stock, & Wehmeyer, 2002a, 2002b; Houlihan et al., 2003). A keyboard is a basic input device for texting messages or entering commands to control the computer. In general, a standard keyboard is designed for normal users, without taking into account that it might be used by people with disabilities. Disabled users often encounter difficulties and obstacles when using a standard keyboard, and need to use specially designed assistive devices or alternative keyboards (Cook & Hussey, 2002). For instance, a cherry compact keyboard is a small size keyboard that can fit on a wheelchair tray (Aidis, 2014); a keyguard is a metal or plastic cover for the keyboard with drilled holes that can be helpful for users with fine motor difficulties to help them avoid pressing the wrong keys (Fentek, 2014); the look and functionality of a IntelliKeys keyboard can be changed by sliding in different overlays to match users’ needs (IntelliTools, 2014), etc.
* Correspondence to: Department of Special Education, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 970, Taiwan, ROC. Tel.: +886 3 8634881; fax: +886 3 8634870. E-mail address: [email protected] http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.04.030 0891-4222/ß 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Fig. 1. On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) software is a visual keyboard on the computer screen that allows people to enter data using a mouse or other pointing device.
The On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) software (Wiki, 2014) is an alternative keyboard input mode that is now a built-in function of the Windows Operating System (OS). Instead of relying on a physical keyboard, it displays a visual keyboard with all the standard keys on the computer screen so that users can select keys on the screen using a mouse or other pointing devices (Microsoft, 2013), as shown in Fig. 1. OSK software can reduce the reliance on physical keyboards and can enable people who have difficulties using a standard keyboard to complete typing tasks by operating a mouse. To use OSK software, the prerequisite is that users must possess basic mouse operation ability in order to move the computer cursor accurately. Most computer operating systems now conform to Graphical User Interface (GUI) design, making a mouse one of the important input devices for a computer. In the same way as standard keyboards, most standard mice are designed for the mainstream population, without taking into account that these devices might also be used by people with disabilities who frequently encounter computer operation problems. For people with fine motor difficulties or physical disabilities, it is difficult or impossible to use OSK software with a standard mouse precisely due to frequently encountered mouse operation problems such as the inability to aim at small targets, difficulty in moving a mouse device, or difficulty in controlling the mouse buttons (e.g. inability to press the buttons or to relocate the cursor from the target after clicking), etc. To solve this issue and provide disabled people with the opportunity to use a computer, various specialized alternative computer pointing devices have been proposed to meet the needs of people with disabilities (Brodwin, Star, & Cardoso, 2004; Hedrick, Pape, Heinemann, Ruddell, & Reis, 2006; Tu, Tao, & Huang, 2007). Normally, compared to standard devices, these specially designed input devices have some disadvantages due to their specific design: (a) costs of these devices are higher than standard ones, (b) they are more difficult to obtain or maintain, and (c) the shapes are quite different from standard devices, and thus may weaken users’ intention to use these specially designed devices. In contrast, there are many advantages to standard devices, such as low cost, good technical support, wide accessibility, etc. Therefore, turning standard devices into high performance computer input assistive devices can offer people with disabilities the opportunity to use these standard devices, and provide them with additional choices in terms of computer assistive technology. To make each hardware device function properly in a computer, a corresponding driver program is required. For example, a keyboard requires a keyboard driver program, and a mouse requires a mouse driver program (Microsoft, 2008b), etc. Generally, a driver program is provided by an OS vendor or a hardware manufacturer for the purpose of ensuring that the connected hardware device can function normally. Since a mouse is a standard device for a computer, its driver program is already built into the OS, meaning that there is no need to change the driver. If a mouse is connected to a computer, the OS will identify it as a mouse device and will install its standard driver automatically. As a result, a mouse device will be set to its default functions and these functions cannot be changed. Redesigning or modifying a mouse driver can reset the mouse functions and turn it into a more powerful tool, but this technique is rarely proposed by researchers because it is very complicated, with high technical threshold and requiring complex software technology (Microsoft, 2008a, 2008c, 2008d). Few studies have been carried out using software technology to redesign a mouse driver to reset the default functions of a mouse and turn it into a high performance computer assistive input device dedicated to helping people with disabilities (Shih, 2011a, 2011b; Shih, Chiu, et al., 2010; Shih, Huang, Liao, Shih, & Chiang, 2010; Shih, Li, Shih, Lin, & Lo, 2010; Shih & Shih, 2010; Shih, Shih, & Peng, 2010; Shih, Shih, & Wang, 2010). A software-based mouse driver solution is powerful because it enables a standard mouse to be adapted to the special needs of people with disabilities, and provides disabled people with choices in terms of being able to operate a computer using a standard mouse like people without disabilities. Therefore, in this study, the concept of allowing people with disabilities to have the opportunity to use a standard computer is discussed. The Dynamic Typing Assistive Program (DTAP) software was developed to help people with disabilities who have difficulties typing using standard keyboards to perform computer typing tasks efficiently and precisely.
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Fig. 2. Scroll wheels are prevalent on modern computer mice and are used for scrolling, zooming or other functions related to software.
The default functions of a mouse device were reset via DTAP software to (a) disable the function of moving the mouse device to move the cursor (i.e. the computer cursor will not be moved even if the mouse device is moved) in order to avoid cursor target offset due to the user touching the mouse inadvertently, (b) modify the mouse scroll wheel function so that users can move the cursor quickly and precisely with OSK software by poking the mouse scroll wheel with their thumb/finger. A mouse scroll wheel (as shown in Fig. 2) is now a standard feature of a mouse device, normally located between the left and right buttons (Wikipedia, 2009), and some special mouse devices have two scroll wheels. The mouse can detect any tiny rotation of the wheel which is activated by the thumb/finger, and allows the user to roll the scroll wheel to control scrolling, zooming or other functions. Poking a mouse scroll wheel only needs a slight thumb/finger movement, therefore, a mouse scroll wheel is suitable for disabled people who have little ability to control their limbs to use it (Shih, 2011b; Shih, Chang, & Shih, 2009; Shih, Shih, Lin, & Chiang, 2009). For example, people who have extensive paralysis of their bodies can effectively control the mouse with only very limited movements. The key technology of DTAP is the redesigned mouse driver which intercepts the mouse wheel’s scrolling and moving actions. Without this technique, the standard mouse’s function cannot be modified to meet the needs of this study. This study combined the DTAP technique with OSK software to turn a standard mouse device into a high-tech assistive keyboard input device. Instead of using expensive customized input devices, disabled people can use a standard mouse that has been modified to perform computer keyboard operations. 2. Methods 2.1. Participants There were three subjects in this study, and their background information is listed in Table 1. All of the participants’ parents were informed of this study and agreed to allow their children to participate in the experiment. 2.2. Apparatus and setting 2.2.1. On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) software There is no limitation on using OSK software, as long as it is installed in a Windows-compatible environment. Microsoft Windows 7 (Chinese version) and built-in OSK software were used in this study (as shown in Fig. 1).
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Table 1 Background information of three subjects. Subjects
Huang
Sex Age Type Level Cognitive ability
Male 17 Multiple disabilities with cerebral palsy Severe Language comprehension is good and can understand the teacher’s instructions Visual and auditory abilities are good 1. Right-handed 2. Type with the thumb, but will press other keys inadvertently due to excessive tension
Sensory capabilities Keyboard operating ability
Mouse operating ability
Cannot move the mouse to the target position precisely, but can use the thumb to click the mouse and scroll the wheel
Ping
Wang
17
18
Moderate
Severe
1. Left-handed 2. Type with the index finger, but will press other keys inadvertently due to excessive tension Cannot move the mouse to the target position precisely, but can use the index finger to click the mouse and scroll the wheel
1. Left-handed 2. Type with the index finger, but will press other keys inadvertently due to excessive tension Move the mouse with both hands, use the index finger to click the mouse and scroll the wheel; cannot effectively click, as offset was occurring while clicking
2.2.2. DTAP software As shown in Fig. 3, the center of each key of the OSK software was set with a pre-defined position, marked as P1, P2 . . . P94, for example, the ‘‘Esc’’ key was P1 and the ‘‘PgUp’’ key was P20. Without the assistance of DTAP, a user has to move the cursor to aim at the key and click, and then the OSK software will respond to the corresponding key messages. It is not problematic for most people to use OSK software, but it can be quite difficult for people with disabilities due to their lack of ability to precisely control the mouse. The DTAP is a software solution to help disabled users move a mouse cursor to pre-defined positions accurately and easily. Firstly, it disables the function of moving the mouse device to move the cursor so the computer cursor will not be moved even if the mouse device is moved. This design is to avoid the targeted cursor offset due to the user touching the mouse inadvertently. Secondly, it modifies the mouse scroll wheel function so that the action of poking the mouse scroll wheel will move the cursor to aim it at the defined positions P1, P2 . . . P94. With the technique of DTAP, when the user pokes the mouse scroll wheel forward, the cursor will be moved from its current position to the next pre-defined position in the order of P1 ! P2 ! . . . ! P93 ! P94 ! P1 ! . . .; whereas, the cursor will be moved in the order of P94 ! P93 ! . . . ! P2 ! P1 ! P94 ! . . . if the user pokes the mouse scroll wheel backward. Since P1, P2 . . . P94 have been set on all keys of the OSK software, users can select target keys quickly and easily by poking the mouse wheel. For example, if the user wants to click the ‘‘PgUp’’ key (P20), he/she can quickly scroll the mouse wheel, once the cursor is shifted to the P20, the ‘‘PgUp’’ key input will be performed by clicking the left button on the mouse. Moreover, due to DTAP disabling the function of moving the mouse device to move the cursor, the cursor will not be out of position even if the user moves the mouse unintentionally because of unstable control caused by his or her disabilities.
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Fig. 3. All keys of the On-Screen Keyboard were set with pre-defined positions, marked as P1, P2 . . . P94.
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Therefore, by combing the DTAP technique and OSK software, a standard mouse device can become a high-tech keyboard input assistive device. Using this combination, people with disabilities do not need to move the mouse device precisely; instead, they can easily poke the mouse scroll wheel to click the targeted key of the OSK software. In other words, disabled people can use a standard device to operate a computer just like anyone else, without using expensive customized keyboard input devices. 2.2.3. Computer typing evaluation software (CTES) In this study, computer typing evaluation software (CTES) was designed to evaluate test results of the three participants. CTES could provide repeated OSK typing practice for participants and record their number of correct key entries within a certain period of time. When CTES is activated, the program will randomly select a key (for example, key ‘‘B’’) and the subject needs to type the correct key (i.e. key ‘‘B’’) using the standard keyboard or OSK software. After a subject enters the correct key, a successful key input is recorded and CTES will then randomly select a new key, and so on. This process was repeated until the end of test time, and the number of correct key entries within 3 min was recorded for each subject. 2.3. Experimental conditions This study used a multiple baseline design across participants (Richards, Taylor, Ramasamy, & Richards, 1999). The experiment was carried out in an activity room at the participant’s school. CTES was adopted during the experiment to record the number of correct key entries within 3 min. Participants typically received three DTAP training sessions per week, for a period of about 6–7 weeks. The number of correct key entries within 3 min of each session was counted and recorded. Experiments were divided into three phases: (1) baseline phase: experiments were carried out at least three times to collect data on the participant’s performance during the baseline phase; (2) intervention phase: estimate the efficiency of DTAP technical intervention; (3) maintenance phase: observe the maintenance of participants’ performance after the intervention of DTAP. 2.3.1. Baseline In this phase, two different methods of participants’ typing were measured: (1) typing with standard keyboards: three data points were collected for all participants to estimate participants’ typing performance using standard keyboards, and (2) typing with OSK software without the DTAP function: three data points were also collected for all participants to estimate participants’ typing performance using OSK software without the DTAP function. 2.3.2. Intervention In this phase, the DTAP function was enabled and the OSK software was also activated. Participants could move the cursor to aim at target keys quickly and precisely, with little effort, by poking the mouse scroll wheel. At the beginning of this phase, Huang first received training in DTAP use while Ping and Wang were probed for the purpose of collecting their baseline data at intervals. Ping received DTAP training once Huang’s performance was consolidated, and Wang underwent DTAP training until Ping’s performance was consolidated. DTAP training in this phase continued until each participant’s performance was consolidated. During the intervention phase, 11 experimental sessions were carried out with each participant. Each session lasted 30 min, and consisted of 5 min of DTAP instruction, 15 min of DTAP practice, 7 min of rest and a 3-min CTES assessment. The arrangement of each 30-min session was as follows: (a) DTAP instruction (5 min): During the instruction period, a research assistant provided DTAP guidance to participants to allow them to learn how to complete a typing task through poking a mouse scroll wheel. (b) Typing practice (15 min): Participants were free to practice poking the scroll wheel to move the cursor to aim at keys of the OSK software. (c) Rest (7 min): Participants took a rest for 7 min after practicing. (d) Assessment (3 min): CTES was adopted to assess the participants’ typing efficiency with DTAP assistance. The number of each participant’ correct key entries within 3 min was recorded as input for assessment.
2.3.3. Maintenance This phase began one week after the end of the intervention phase and was used to assess whether the participants could maintain the skills that they had acquired during the intervention phase. Experimental conditions in this phase were the same as in the intervention phase, but participants carried out the 3-min CTES assessment directly, without any DTAP instruction or typing practice.
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3. Results Fig. 4 shows the typing performance of the three participants in each phase. The curves show that all participants improved their typing efficiency in the intervention phase, and maintained their acquired skills during the maintenance phase. 3.1. Baseline In the baseline phase, two typing methods were carried out: blue rhombuses represent participants’ typing performance using the standard keyboard, while gray triangles stand for participants’ typing performance using the OSK software. 3.1.1. Using the standard keyboard Huang typed with the thumb of his right hand using a standard keyboard, he could hit the correct keys, but the number of errors was high. He pressed other keys inadvertently due to excessive muscle tension and the number of correct key entries per minute was 1.00, 0.67 and 1.00. He revealed negative attitudes due to the high number of typing errors.
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Fig. 4. Experimental data of the three participants.
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Ping typed with the index finger of his left hand and showed positive attitudes toward participating in the experiment. Like Huang, he also pressed other keys inadvertently due to the excessive tension caused by cerebral palsy. Therefore, his baseline data was not high, with 1.67, 1.33 and 1.33 correctly keyed entries per minute, respectively. Wang was very similar to Ping, and also typed with his index finger. Due to the phenomenon of excessive tension, Wang also pressed other keys inadvertently while typing. The number of successful typing entries per minute was 1.67, 2.00 and 1.00 in this phase. 3.1.2. Using the OSK software Huang moved the mouse with his right hand. He could click the mouse button successfully when the cursor was aimed at the correct position, but spent a lot of time moving the cursor to target positions due to excessive tension in his hand. Since it took him a long time to move the cursor, the number of correct key entries per minute was low, 0, 0.33 and 0.33 in the baseline phase. Ping operated the mouse with his left hand and clicked the button with his index finger. Like Huang, he could not move the cursor effectively and precisely to target positions due to the same excessive tension problem. His performance in the baseline phase was not good, as the experimental data indicates he only achieved 0.67, 0.33 and 0 correct key entries in the respective sessions. Wang also had an excessive muscle tension problem and needed to move the mouse using both hands together. He clicked the mouse button with his index finger when the cursor was moved to the target position, but cursor offset and invalid clicks frequently occurred due to him shifting the mouse while clicking. The three baseline data for Wang were 1.00, 2.00 and 1.33. 3.2. Intervention In the intervention phase, with the intervention of the DTAP technique, participants could poke the mouse scroll wheel to select keys of the OSK software, and thus, this operation was much easier than it was in the baseline phase. Huang first underwent the intervention phase. He poked the mouse scroll wheel with the thumb of his right hand and felt happy and excited when seeing the mouse cursor position changing as a result of his poking the mouse scroll wheel. Compared to the baseline phase, he was able to select target keys fast and accurately using fine motor control to poke the wheel. Therefore, Huang’s number of correct key entries per minute rapidly increased, reaching an average of 5.15 in this phase. Ping was also very excited about the DTAP intervention, since it meant he could select the correct key faster and with less effort in this phase. The experimental results for Ping also increased rapidly, with the average number of his successful typing entries per minute reaching 5.48. According to the data, Wang also showed better performance compared to the baseline phase. His average number of successful typing entries per minute increased to 4.64 in the intervention phase. The data for the three participants showed that using a finger to poke the scroll wheel to control the cursor position was more efficient than the traditional way of typing with a standard keyboard. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (Siegel & Castellan, 1988) showed that the improved typing performance of the three participants from the baseline to the intervention phase was statistically significant (p < 0.01). 3.3. Maintenance Huang underwent the experiment of the maintenance phase one week after the end of the intervention phase. The number of successful typing entries per minute for Huang reached a mean of 4.67 during this phase, which was close to the number of 5.15 in the intervention phase. Ping’s performance was quite stable, with his three experimental data scores being 5.67, 5.33 and 5.33, respectively, which represented a mean of 5.44. The mean of Wang was 4.78, and this number was also close to the result of 4.64 in the intervention phase. In summary, all three participants retained the acquired operating skill from the intervention phase and maintained a high degree of typing efficiency in this phase. 4. Discussion Keyboards and mice are very important input devices for computers, however, people with disabilities cannot use these standard devices due to their poor control of their limbs, lack of hand-eye coordination, the problem of excessive muscle tension in their hands, etc. They need to use special designed computer input assistive devices. The types and levels of disability of each disabled person are quite different, therefore, specially designed assistive technology devices cannot meet all the needs of all people with disabilities. Most assistive technology devices require appropriate adjustments and must be designed to meet the special needs of each individual person with disabilities. Compared to standard devices, these specially designed assistive devices have the following disadvantages: (1) their prices are higher than standard devices, (2) they are difficult to obtain and maintain, and (3) their outer appearances are different from standard devices, and this may reduce users’ willingness to use them. Turning a standard device into a high-tech assistive technology device was the purpose and guiding imperative of this study. This study adopted software driver technology and proposed a new operating mode to allow people with typing
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difficulties to use standard mouse devices to effectively perform computer typing, rather than relying on special assistive devices. With the DTAP technique, a standard mouse device could be turned into an alternative keyboard assistive device, and doing so improved the participants’ typing performance. This study combined the DTAP technique and OSK software, which allowed users to move the cursor to target positions of the OSK software easily, quickly and accurately by simply poking the mouse scroll wheel. The DTAP is a software solution, and thus can be widely distributed and downloaded via the Internet. Disabled people can purchase any proper mouse devices they want, and then install DTAP software and execute the OSK software built-in to their computer to make the mouse devices become special assistive devices to meet their personal needs. According to the experimental results, participants’ typing performance increased rapidly in the intervention phase, and participants could maintain their acquired skills during the maintenance phase. However, the limitation of this study was that only three students participated in this study. Further studies are necessary to extend the applications of DTAP for more people with different types and levels of disability. Furthermore, participants could select OSK keys only by poking the mouse scroll wheel forward and backward to move through a sequence in this study (i.e. Linear scanning), therefore, further studies could consider arranging a more efficient algorithm (ex. Row-Column scanning, Group-Row-Item scanning, etc.) to accelerate the process of OSK key selection and bring this research closer to practicality. 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