Effect of diagnosis, body site and experience on text entry rate of individuals with physical disabilities: a systematic review

The drum-like virtual reality (VR) keyboard is a contemporary, controller-based interface for text input in VR that uses a drum set metaphor. The controllers are used as sticks which, through downward movements, “press” the keys of the virtual keyboard. In this work, a preliminary feasibility study of the drum-like VR keyboard is described, focusing on the text entry rate and accuracy as well as its usability and the user experience it offers. Seventeen participants evaluated the drum-like VR keyboard by having a typing session and completing a usability and a user experience questionnaire. The interface achieved a good usability score, positive experiential feedback around its entertaining and immersive qualities, a satisfying text entry rate (24.61 words-per-minute), as well as moderate-to-high total error rate (7.2%) that can probably be further improved in future studies. The work provides strong indications that the drum-like VR keyboard can be an effective and entertaining way to type in VR.

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Assistive Technology for Literacy in Students With Physical Disabilities: A Systematic Review

Journal of Special Education Technology ◽

10.1177/0162643419868259 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 284-292

Author(s):

Donna W. Stauter ◽

Judy Prehn ◽

Megan Peters ◽

Lynn M. Jeffries ◽

Lorraine Sylvester ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Assistive Technology ◽

Reading Skills ◽

Statistical Data ◽

Physical Disabilities ◽

Review Literature ◽

Literacy Skills ◽

Future Research ◽

Statistical Data Analysis ◽

Search Terms

The purpose of this study was to systematically review literature on assistive technology (AT) used to develop literacy skills in students with physical disabilities. Primary databases were searched using search terms AT, disability, and literacy. Eight studies were eligible for inclusion. Six studies reported positive change to literacy components with AT support, and two reported a statistically significant change. Evidence offers support for AT in developing reading skills in this population. Future research could include reliable outcome measures, a classification system for participants’ disabilities, increased rigor of research design, and statistical data analysis.

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Text Entry by Gazing and Smiling

Advances in Human-Computer Interaction ◽

10.1155/2013/218084 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Outi Tuisku ◽

Veikko Surakka ◽

Ville Rantanen ◽

Toni Vanhala ◽

Jukka Lekkala

Keyword(s):

Error Rate ◽

Gaze Direction ◽

Text Entry ◽

Subjective Ratings ◽

Entry Rate ◽

Computer Screen ◽

String Distance ◽

Keyboard Layout

Face Interface is a wearable prototype that combines the use of voluntary gaze direction and facial activations, for pointing and selecting objects on a computer screen, respectively. The aim was to investigate the functionality of the prototype for entering text. First, three on-screen keyboard layout designs were developed and tested (n=10) to find a layout that would be more suitable for text entry with the prototype than traditional QWERTY layout. The task was to enter one word ten times with each of the layouts by pointing letters with gaze and select them by smiling. Subjective ratings showed that a layout with large keys on the edge and small keys near the center of the keyboard was rated as the most enjoyable, clearest, and most functional. Second, using this layout, the aim of the second experiment (n=12) was to compare entering text with Face Interface to entering text with mouse. The results showed that text entry rate for Face Interface was 20 characters per minute (cpm) and 27 cpm for the mouse. For Face Interface, keystrokes per character (KSPC) value was 1.1 and minimum string distance (MSD) error rate was 0.12. These values compare especially well with other similar techniques.

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