Whatever your sight difficulty, learning your way around the keyboard and learning to touch type
are important skills to learn. At the most basic level these skills allow you to increase the speed at which you can prepare documents and input information into a computer. For many tasks, using a keyboard can often be faster than using a mouse.For people with little or no useful vision, keyboard input is usually the only realistic way to both input data and control a computer. Although great strides have been made in voice recognition software, the most practical and accurate way for someone with sight problems to control a computer is by use of a keyboard. If a blind or partially sighted person has an additional disability which meant that input using a keyboard was impossible, then voice input would be considered but only in combination with a speech output system.
A number of programs and courses are available for people with sight problems to enable them to learn keyboard skills. The choice of program is a subjective one, and it is important to try one or more programs to find the most suitable one. A number of the computer-based courses listed are available as free demonstration versions that can be downloaded from the internet. Demonstrations may also be available on disk from the supplier of the product.
The section dealing with computer based programs contains a range from mainstream programs to those programs specifically designed for blind and partially sighted users. Some people may prefer more traditional methods, for example a tape based course, which will teach them how to touch type. Other people may simply wish to improve their keyboard skills and this can be accomplished through familiarisation with keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts can be of great use to anyone and using a keyboard rather than a mouse can often be substantially faster for many actions such as cut and paste for example.
Program designers have long used keyboard shortcuts as part of their program designs, and all computer programs should provide keystroke combinations as alternatives to the use of a mouse for control. This means that people with sight problems who only use a keyboard can have as much control over a computer as someone who is using a mouse.
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