Keyboard Enhancement Utilities


Keyboard enhancement utilities are products which modify the behavior of the Windows keyboard to make it easier to use for individuals with disabilities.

Product:Access Packs for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Windows NT
From:Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6393
Phone:800-426-9400 (Microsoft Sales Information Center)
BBS:206-936-6735
TDD:800-892-5234
Price:Available at no charge by mail or via numerous download services.
Notes:Access Pack for Microsoft Windows provides a variety of features for people with limited dexterity or who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. These features include:
  • Allow single-finger typing of SHIFT, CTRL, and ALT key combinations.
  • Ignore accidental keystrokes.
  • Adjust the rate at which a character is repeated when you hold down a key, or turn off character repeating entirely.
  • Prevent extra characters if you unintentionally press a key more than once.
  • Enable you to control the mouse cursor by using the keyboard.
  • Enable you to control the computer keyboard and mouse by using an alternate input device.
  • Provide a visual cue when the computer beeps or makes other sounds.

Access Pack for Microsoft Windows is available as file ACCP.EXE, and Access Pack for Microsoft Windows NT is available as file WN0789.EXE.

Product:Aurora for Windows
From:Aurora Systems, Inc., 2647 Kingsway, Vancouver B.C., V5R-5H4, Canada
Phone:800-361-8255 or 604-436-2694
Fax:604-436-2695
Email:aurora@cyberstore.ca
Internet:http://www.scbc.org/hinet/business/CoProf/Aurora/aurora.htm
System:Windows 95, Windows
Price:$430; $195 upgrade from Aurora for MS-DOS
Demo:Full documentation and software, 20 minute per-run time limit, $15, demo price refunded on purchase of any Aurora Systems product.
Notes:Word prediction with unlimited dictionary size (150,000+ words), grammatical rule support and spelling assistance. Learns and predicts phrases as well as individual words. Can be used with a single finger or headstick. Works with speech synthesizers to echo keystrokes and speak words as you type. One minor feature currently doesn't work under Windows 95. Optional Aurora Imageine onscreen scanning keyboard now available.
Product:Dvorak Keyboard Layouts
From:Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6393
Phone:800-426-9400 (Microsoft Sales Information Center)
BBS:206-936-6735
TDD:800-892-5234
System:Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows
Price:Available at no charge by mail or via numerous download services.
Notes: Microsoft distributes three Dvorak keyboard layouts that make the most frequently typed characters on a keyboard more accessible to people who have difficulty using the standard "QWERTY" layo ut. No special equipment is needed in order to use these features. A layout for people who type with two hands is included with each operating system; consult the online help about keyboard layouts for installation instructions. Two additional layouts for people who type with only one hand are distributed as Microsoft Application Note GA0650 and available as a file called GA0650.EXE on many download services.
Product:HandiWORD and HandiWORD International
From:Microsystems Software, Inc., 600 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA 01701
Phone:800-828-2600 or 508-879-9000
Fax:508-879-1069
BBS:508-875-8009
Email:hware@microsys.com
Internet:http://www.handiware.com
System:Windows, Windows 95, MS DOS
Languages:International version supplies foreign language dictionaries
Price:HandiWORD $295.00; HandiWORD International $395.00
Demo:Via Internet (FTP), BBS, or Mail
Notes:Word prediction/abbreviation expansion software aiding users with limited keyboarding capability. Supplied with default dictionary file. Supports speech output of prediction choices. Dictionary maint enance utility allows user to modify existing or create new dictionaries. Software is statistically weighted with frequently used words appearing first. Sticky-key utility built into software.
Product:HandiSHIFT For Windows
From:Microsystems Software, Inc., 600 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA 01701
Phone:800-828-2600 or 508-879-9000
Fax:508-879-1069
BBS:508-875-8009
Email:hware@microsys.com
Internet:http://www.handiware.com
System:Windows, Windows 95, MS DOS
Price:$49
NotesSticky key utility. Allows serial depression of Control, Shift, and Alt keys. Adjusts key repeat rate. Includes SeeBEEP visual beep utility.
Product:KeyREP
From:Prentke Romich Company, 1022 Heyl Rd., Wooster, OH 44691
Phone:800-262-1984 or 216-262-1984
Fax:216-263-4829
System:Windows 95, Windows
Price:$290
Notes:KeyREP Rate Enhancement Package for keyboard users provides word prediction and abbreviation expansion. KeyREP works with any keyboard and any application running under Windows 3.1 except MS-DOS windows .
Product:StickyKeys and MouseKeys
From:Hitachi, Ltd., Accessibility Promotion Section, Information Systems Group,
Hitachi Omori 2nd Bldg. 6-27-18 Minami Oi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140 Japan
Phone:+81-3-5471-8918
Fax:+81-3-5471-2565
Email:k-ozawa@comp.hitachi.co.jp
Internethttp://www.handiware.com
System:Windows
Languages:Japanese only
Price:Free; download it from NiftyServe
Notes:StickyKeys can start and close Japanese FEPs by pressing two keys and can convert from the KANA input mode to the Alphabet input mode, and vice versa, by pressing three keys. MouseKeys enables the user to control the mouse cursor by using the keyboard.

© 1994, 1995 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Microsoft, MS-DOS and Visual Basic are registered trademarks and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. IN CUBE is a trademark of Command Corp., Inc. Kurzweil VOICE is a trademark of Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, Inc. Dragon Systems and DragonDictate are registered trademarks of Dragon Systems, Inc. IBM and OS/2 are registered trademarks and Windsurfer is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. WiViK2 is a registered trademark and KeyREP is a trademark of The Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Center.

This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT.


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