It's actually even messier than that.  Because of personal typing style
and preferences, some people *need* a keyboard with a heavier touch.
The input and output of any computer system are the places where the
user interacts directly with the computer.  As such, these two points
must be adaptable to the needs of the individual user.

By that, I mean that there should be easily changed components that make
the input work in the fashion that best meets the individual, and the
display (whether visual, tactile, or auditory) must likewise be
adjustable to the needs and desires of the individual.  No single
solution will meet the needs of all users.

Denis Anson, MS, OTR
Computer Access Specialist
College Misericordia
301 Lake St.
Dallas, PA 18612
email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: 570-674-6413


> -----Original Message-----
> From: * EASI: Equal Access to Software & Information
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jim Tobias
> Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 5:26 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Light touch keyboards
>
> >From Judy Brewer:
>
> > I've had to use very light-touch keyboards for years. Whether or not
> > someone uses voice recognition, it can be important to have a
> > keyboard with
> > an appropriate level of touch-sensitivity.
> >
> > I agree with Denis' comment below that it is necessary for the user
to
> do
> > hands-on trials of different models, in the absence of a standard
> > measurements and reliable information across different keyboard
models
> on
> > the pressure required to depress keys, and the pressure of the
> > keys' return.
>
> This is an excellent point -- the absence of metrics.  I will raise
this
> within the appropriate Accessibility Forum Working Group.  There
should
> definitely be a wide range of force requirements, target size and
> separation,
> etc., within even mainstream keyboards.  I have to say that Section
508
> offers us no help here, since it requires a 5 pound maximum force when
> keypresses should be measured in ounces.  It may be that the Access
Board
> folks inadvertently imported the force requirements from the ADA,
where
> 5 pounds of force for opening a door makes sense.
>
> Jim
>
> Jim Tobias, President
> Inclusive Technologies
> [log in to unmask]
> 732.441.0831 v/tty
> www.inclusive.com