[laptop-accessibility] Re, Sticky Keys

[ashettle at patriot.net]

Re, sticky keys, I have had some experience with this.

Some months ago, I injured most of the fingers on both of my hands.  This
left me to do most of my typing for a while with just the two smallest
fingers of my left hand.  I was introduced to "sticky keys" which is a
standard feature on our office Dell/MS Windows? computers.  It was very
helpful for many things, including setting things to caps, etc., that
otherwise would have been enormously cumbersome or simply impossible.

BUT, I discovered, that when the computer locks out, for some reason
sticky keys doesn't actually work then.  It only works when you are using
various softwares in the computer (email, word processing, etc.)

This became annoying because in order to "unlock" my computer, I had to
hit  "alt-control-delete."  (I dare all of you to try doing that with only
the two smallest fingers of your non-dominant hand! Before you try,
consider that this involves two adjacent fingers to hit three
keys--simultaneously!)  I ended up having to use my right thumb for this
at a time when I was trying to avoid all (painful) use of my right hand! 
(No other digits on my right hand were usable at that time.)  And suppose
I had not had a right hand at all -- then I could have accessed my own
computer only by recruiting someone to hit alt-control-delete for me,
which would have reduced my independence at work.  A student in a similar
circumstance would be unable to study at home unless someone is available
to hit alt-control-delete or whatever.

Thus: any sticky keys program should be designed so that it will still
operate even when the computer is "locked out."

I haven't received my XO lap top yet (anticipated date mid to late March)
so I don't know if this is an issue for the XO.  But am floating this out
there in case.  Sticky keys needs to operate full time, no matter what
you're doing with the computer, or it will be of only limited utility.

Thanks,
Andrea
ashettle at patriot.net
wecando.wordpress.com
(Blogging disability and international development, education, inclusion,
etc)


> Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:14:38 -0600
> From: "Lesley Thacker" <lesleydianet at gmail.com>
> Subject: [laptop-accessibility] Sticky Keys
> >
> A user on OLPCNews.com has worked on "sticky" control keys for a user
> who uses a mouth stick.
>
> Quote:
> Posted to: http://wiki.laptop.org/go/AccessX
> It's linked to from the Accessibility page, under physical
> impairments:
> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Accessibility#For_people_with_physical_impairments
>
> Make me happy.
>
> As for me, I'd love to see a touch screen used and a communication
> program developed.  Any takers?
>
> :)
> Lesley
>
>