Standard Keyboards
It's easy to take for granted just how complex the standard keyboard truly is. Think of its major components:
- One hundred and four keys (85-90 keys + numeric keypad) that are only ½ inch square and spaced closely together (19mm).
- Grey or beige keys labeled with ¼ inch capital letters. These small key labels are not centered on the keys.
- A key layout in a "QWERTY" configuration that is designed for typists (it reflects the first 6 letters of the top letter row), not in alphabetical order.
These features can be troublesome for students with visual, motor, and/or cognitive needs.
Plug & Play Options
When the standard keyboard does not meet a student's needs, several others may be substituted, including many commercial "off the shelf" options.
Alternative keyboards come in an array of sizes and with different layouts. For schools with a variety of computers, look for USB keyboards that can be used on either Mac or Windows based computers.
Know which features your student truly needs. For example, consider whether the student needs to use all of the keys. Some keyboards are designed for children with fewer keys, colored highlights or have different layouts. What size keys/keyboard is needed? What type of layout is best? Look for ergonomic design features such as built in wrist rests.
Child Design Keyboard
KidzMouse Keys (KidzMouse)
KidzMouse Ears
With fewer keys than an adult keyboard, 67 rather than the standard 104, this colorful USB keyboard is appealing to children. The essential keys included with KidzMouse Keys are grouped according to their function. Also available are plug and play child size head phones of excellent quality.
This keyboard is re-sized to fit the hands of the children, with smaller key size and spacing. Its built-in trackball and wrist pad provide additional support. A standard keyboard can be used simultaneously when adults need to use the computer. (Mac, PC) 
This compact keyboard and numeric keypad (30% smaller than a standard keyboard) has color-coded key caps for often-used keys. The backspace and return keys are enlarged. (Mac, PC) 
The Low Profile Keyboard is a compact 101 style keyboard measuring only 11.1" x 5.2". The keypad and function keys are embedded into the keyboard to cut down on size and key travel. (PC only) 
This compact keyboard is only 11" X 5". It can be ordered with a touch pad for mouse access. The white letters on the black keys may be easier to see for some students. (PC only) 
Vertical keyboards take the standard keyboard's hand sections and place them upright. This "hand-shake" position is considered the neutral posture for forearms and hands. This split-keyboard is designed laterally into vertically arranged cooperative keypad halves. This allows the student to sit with the keyboard directly on her lap or on any surface. (PC) 
Chording keyboards are smaller and have fewer keys, typically one for each finger and possibly the thumbs. Letters, numbers, commands and macros are simple key combinations, also known as "chords." Instead of the usual sequential, one-at-a-time key presses, chording requires simultaneous key presses to type each character, similar to playing a musical chord on a piano.
This contoured keyboard fits the human hand by setting the keys in two concave "bowls" on either side of the keyboard. Minimal finger movement is required. Arms and hands are fully supported, so touch-typing is necessary. (Mac, PC)
With the DataHand keyboard, each hand has its own "pod". Each of the four fingers has five switches each: forward, back, left, right, and down. The thumbs have a number of switches. You never have to move your hand to use the keyboard. A finger-mouse is also built-in.
This small keyboard is activated with minimal force. Use with fingers or pointers. It includes all keys and mouse commands. Layout options have QWERTY or Frequency-of-Use choices where the most frequently used letters are placed toward the center of the keyboard. (Mac, PC)
The Magic Wand provides both keyboard and mouse control with only slight hand or head motion. It acts as both the computer keyboard and mouse, and requires no strength and little dexterity. Read our example of a 
This keyboard has enlarged the key size for smaller hands and significantly reduced the number of keys on the keyboard. It has 55 clearly labeled keys, including the alphabet in natural order, numbers from 0-9, and shapes. Young children quickly learn the color-coding: yellow keys for letters and green keys for numbers. (PC only)
This enlarged keyboard with 1-inch square keys, (4X bigger than standard keys!) comes in both the alphabetical layout and the standard QWERTY format. Either format can be ordered with multi-colored or white keys.
This flexible keyboard meets a wide variety of learning needs. You can change the way IntelliKeys looks and functions by simply sliding in a different overlay. Each of the standard overlays has a bar code that is instantly recognized by IntelliKeys, so no previous "set up" is necessary. IntelliKeys comes with six standard overlays that are ready to use with any word processing program or software that requires a keyboard. Switch users can choose from two built-in programmable switch jacks. The keyboard can be further modified for additional products. (Mac, PC)
Cordless Desktop (
This compact (11" X 6") wireless keyboard includes 88 keys with an embedded numeric keypad and 12 function keys. The keyboard communicates with the computer via built-in Infrared technology with transmission capabilities of up to 23 feet. (PC only)
The Easy-Bake Kitchen keyboard fits over most standard Windows® keyboards. The colorful key-top play set provides a kitchen counter full of helpful appliances, including a mixer, bowl, measuring cup, rolling pin, oven dial, cookie cutter, cake decorator and mini-oven. The cooking utensils on the keyboard control the onscreen action, making it easy to make, bake, decorate and play! It promotes the actual use of baking tools. The software lets kids print their final creations, plus party invitations and real recipes to bake at home! 
This Tonka™ Workshop Interactive Playset provides five hands-on tools including a hammer, saw, and sander. As the child uses his sander on the keytop, he will see his work come to life on the computer. Complete hands-on jobs; work on vehicles, rockets, clubhouses and more. Build structures, vehicles, robots and crazy contraptions in three workshop areas.
This portable word processor has a 4 line LCD screen and full-size keyboard. One student or an entire classroom of students can write, take notes, practice keyboarding, and then easily transfer the materials to a computer for formatting and editing. It includes a spellchecker and can interface directly with a printer. The 3000 model provides for the use of applets to further extend its capabilities. (Mac, PC)
This dedicated word processor includes full formatting capability and direct printing. Designed as a beginner keyboard, it features a simplified keyboard and large font display with an icon based menu. The DreamWriter® I.T. allows students of all ages to send and receive e-mail, navigate the Web and run specially developed curriculum software.
Digital Notebook (
This flexible keyboard comes with six standard overlays. The alphabet overlay has larger key areas spaced farther apart for more controlled access. It is often used for early writing activities. (Mac, PC)