Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Big Keys LX Alternative (self.Blind)
submitted by doealex
Hi. My brother (left blind and with problems with fine motor skills) is used to the Big Keys LX keyboard, with its rigid keyguard.
Now after years this keyboard seems to be dead for good, so I'm thinking about replacing it as a Christmas gift.
As for my brother's difficulties it would be for the best something more vocal and with less keys, but I really don't know what to look for, so I'm asking here.
Few details: I'm making him switching to NVDA from JAWS, also he only speaks Italian.
Thanks!!
Now after years this keyboard seems to be dead for good, so I'm thinking about replacing it as a Christmas gift.
As for my brother's difficulties it would be for the best something more vocal and with less keys, but I really don't know what to look for, so I'm asking here.
Few details: I'm making him switching to NVDA from JAWS, also he only speaks Italian.
Thanks!!
dunktheball 2 points 2y ago
I have been trying to figure this out too. I talked to someone from Maxkeyboard about making one similar to the one they used to make with big white letters on black keys and he was helping me to a custom one, but then I couldn't decide if I need one or not.
I think blue switches would be too loud, but I think with the custom one I was going to be able to use brown switches.
Anyway, so far I am not finding many companies that make keyboards that are good for visually impaired. :( I actually mostly memorize where the letters are, but my fingers somehow get off by a key or two and I have to look then. What's weird, though, is even if I can't see the letters I can tell where they are by looking at the keys. I still figure it would be easier if I could see the letters, though. lol.
If anyone were to watch me typing they'd be shocked (and think it's weird) because I type extremely fast, but not by touch typing. I only use my index fingers and somehow type crazily fast. haha.
I think blue switches would be too loud, but I think with the custom one I was going to be able to use brown switches.
Anyway, so far I am not finding many companies that make keyboards that are good for visually impaired. :( I actually mostly memorize where the letters are, but my fingers somehow get off by a key or two and I have to look then. What's weird, though, is even if I can't see the letters I can tell where they are by looking at the keys. I still figure it would be easier if I could see the letters, though. lol.
If anyone were to watch me typing they'd be shocked (and think it's weird) because I type extremely fast, but not by touch typing. I only use my index fingers and somehow type crazily fast. haha.
doealex [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Do you use a rigid keyguard? I think it helps with the missclick but also slows the typing
dunktheball 1 points 2y ago
No, I haven't tried anything yet, but somehow my fingers always seem to be either barely in the wrong place OR they are mostly in the right place, but the keys seem so close together that my fingers slip off onto the key next to the one I am meaning to press. lol.
I am also constantly accidentally transposing letters in words, such as typing ehre instead of here. I sure think I am typing them in the right order, so not sure what is going on there.
Andddd the worst issue of all, to get a lot of websites looking right, I have to zoom way out and then everything is so tiny I am leaning over and hurting my back and shoulder and neck. Like I have recently said, I need to start using the magnifier programs instead of relying on the whole screen being zoomed, I guess. And maybe screen readers, but I am so used to reading with my eyes.
I am also constantly accidentally transposing letters in words, such as typing ehre instead of here. I sure think I am typing them in the right order, so not sure what is going on there.
Andddd the worst issue of all, to get a lot of websites looking right, I have to zoom way out and then everything is so tiny I am leaning over and hurting my back and shoulder and neck. Like I have recently said, I need to start using the magnifier programs instead of relying on the whole screen being zoomed, I guess. And maybe screen readers, but I am so used to reading with my eyes.
doealex [OP] 1 points 2y ago
It could be that you're experiencing some lag/problem with your keyboard software. As for the usability, I would suggest to switch to the screen reader only for the "text review", when typing e-mails or long text, and keep surfing the web without.
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dunktheball 1 points 2y ago
Yes, i wondered if it was lag. it did it with another keyboard also, but maybe something about the pc specs, windows, or the browser can cause lag when typing. for instance, the various spell checkers.
Good idea and I thought about that also. Certain activities at least would benefit from screen readers or talk to type etc... I have GOT to try these things to save my health. I've gone to physical therapy 3 times.
See, in that paragraph... benefit was typed as nebefit! When there is a letter between them, surely I didn't really type them in that order legitimately.
Good idea and I thought about that also. Certain activities at least would benefit from screen readers or talk to type etc... I have GOT to try these things to save my health. I've gone to physical therapy 3 times.
See, in that paragraph... benefit was typed as nebefit! When there is a letter between them, surely I didn't really type them in that order legitimately.
viciousSnowFlake 2 points 2y ago
I went ahead and cross posted this to /r/mechanicalkeyboards. I'm sure that sub can help.
You're a great sibling OP.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/k9q43g/saw_this_in_rblind_and_thought_yall_might_the/
You're a great sibling OP.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/k9q43g/saw_this_in_rblind_and_thought_yall_might_the/
doealex [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks!!
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Why nvda over jaws?
And interesting I hope you find something. Maybe dictation may help him not sure if microsoft has that I dout it with apple you can dictate..
And interesting I hope you find something. Maybe dictation may help him not sure if microsoft has that I dout it with apple you can dictate..
doealex [OP] 1 points 2y ago
It's mostly a matter of costs: now he has a version of jaws that doesn't work with windows 10 and the upgrade is pretty expensive
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
For sure there’s another method now that you sort of rent it every year for 99 dollars. But that’s a bit expensive and it’s a yearly payment. But you get all the update. I had it for 9 dollars because I knew the right person who went to csun and they were giving away those promotion cards and this guy was like here you want this? Uh... sure... I’ll play with it. I just use nvda too these days but mostly I am a mac user. Hardly use my windows much.
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