Article

Information technology plays a very important role in society. People with
disabilities are often limited by slow text input speed despite the use of
assistive devices. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a dynamic on-screen
keyboard (Custom Virtual Keyboard) and a word-prediction system (Sibylle) on text
input speed in participants with functional tetraplegia. Ten participants tested
four modes at home (static on-screen keyboard with and without word prediction
and dynamic on-screen keyboard with and without word prediction) for 1 mo before
choosing one mode and then using it for another month. Initial mean text input
speed was around 23 characters per minute with the static keyboard and 12
characters per minute with the dynamic keyboard. The results showed that the
dynamic keyboard reduced text input speed by 37% compared with the standard
keyboard and that the addition of word prediction had no effect on text input
speed. We suggest that current forms of dynamic keyboards and word prediction may
not be suitable for increasing text input speed, particularly for subjects who
use pointing devices. Future studies should evaluate the optimal ergonomic design
of dynamic keyboards and the number and position of words that should be
predicted.

Langue : ANGLAIS