Occupational Therapy Essay Research Paper We are
Occupational Therapy Essay, Research Paper
We are a group of occupational healers and a new client has come to our office with the undermentioned instance history:
Don is a sixty-three year-old amateur poet. He has several of his verse forms published in the local newspaper but has non yet been accepted by any literary diaries. Three months ago, Don had a cerebellar cerebrovascular accident that has given him important all right motor control restrictions. He is non able to keep a pencil or a pen, and when one is taped in his manus, he can non bring forth recognizable printing. He is able to make a scope of about 5 pess from side to side but can non pick up a 1-inch regular hexahedron from the tabular array. When asked to utilize a keyboard, he is every bit likely to strike two keys off from the mark as the key he is taking for. He is able to set his finger faithfully into a square that is 2 inches on a side wherever it is located within his range. He is non able to accurately put his finger into a square that is 1.5 inches on a side, nevertheless, unless it is located straight in forepart of him ( Anson, 1997, p. 104 ) .
Don is frustrated by his status and needs some aid to go on his authorship. We used the determination tree to measure which computing machine version would be best for Don. We determined that Don has physical restrictions to the computing machine but has full scope of the keyboard. Due to his problem aiming specific keys, it would be progressively hard to at the same time press more than one key at one time. The client has frequent inadvertent key strokes because of the size of the little keys. His inability to strike a individual key on demand led us to spread out scope of gesture. Having assessed that Don could strike larger keys accurately ; we reached the option of expanded keyboards.
Upon researching expanded keyboards, we found a great assortment in what each keyboard offered. The 32 key layout with 2.5- inch keys did non supply an equal choice for Don & # 8217 ; s composing demands. Most of the criterion expanded keyboards with 128 keys merely have 1.5-inch keys. Some illustrations are Key Largo and Unicorn Expanded keyboards. Key Largo is an expanded keyboard, which works through Discover KENX. It is utile for one with coordination jobs. Unicorn Expanded keyboard established the criterion 128 key expanded keyboard design. We had the chance ( in A.T. lab ) to seek and compare the different expanded keyboards. We appreciated that a client with trouble making little keys would happen these keyboards more good.
All keyboards require an encoder, which interprets the key. When pressed it converts it to a keyboard codification, that the computing machine could understand. Some computing machines come with a built in encoder and some without. These keyboards with encoders can be connected straight to the keyboard port of the computing machine. Therefore no internal version is needed for the computing machine and it doesn & # 8217 ; t interfere with any package in the computing machine. This is good because it can be used with any operating system and package the client may necessitate. A disadvantage to this is that the keyboard codifications are non readily adaptable. This means that the keyboard layout is fixed and can & # 8217 ; t be changed by the clinician. Another consideration is that this keyboard can non be connected at the same time with the standard keyboard.
Since plugging and disconnecting the keyboard is non recommended, this option is better suited for a client who would be the exclusive user of the computing machine. Expanded keyboards that do non hold the built in encoder, require an external device that would construe the codifications to the computing machine. Although this keyboard has the disadvantage of an external device, it offers flexibleness in the keyboard layout and allows for assorted sheathings that change the layout. An illustration of the latter is the Key Largo keyboard mentioned above.
The job with 1.5-inch keys is the client & # 8217 ; s inability to accurately make a key of that size unless the keyboard is positioned right in forepart of him. An option would be to place the client in forepart of the computing machine with the keyboard mounted close plenty for him to entree. Although this option was a possibility we preferred to happen a keyboard with 2- inch keys.
After researching this option on the cyberspace, we found a merchandise that matched Don & # 8217 ; s needs more expeditiously. The name of the merchandise is Expanded Keyboard for Apple II+ and IIE. This keyboard operates as a standard keyboard with the pick of 1.5 or 2-inch keys. With continued research, this was the lone merchandise with a two-inch key option. This is a perfect size key for Don & # 8217 ; s demands. This keyboard can be connected at the same clip as a standard keyboard. This would let other household members to utilize the computing machine without holding to constantly connect and unplug his keyboard. Sticky cardinal option is included in this keyboard. The level surface of the keyboard will let the usage of sheathings. In add-on Thursday
is keyboard allows all the same maps as a standard keyboard. This is an of import fact sing Don’s involvement in composing. The dimensions of the keyboard are 14 by 32 by 1, with the weight of six lbs. The pricing scope is listed as 750 to 875 dollars. The maker for this merchandise is EKEG Electronics Co Ltd.
An extra manner to turn to Don & # 8217 ; s job of by chance striking untargeted keys is the option of delayed credence. With delayed credence the key must be pressed for a certain sum of clip before it produces any end product. This prevents hit-or-miss striking from holding an consequence, and mistake can be avoided. You can modify the sum of clip hold. We would propose get downing at a minimum degree of hold until the optimum degree of public presentation is achieved.
A possible disadvantage to detain credence, is that it delays the reaction clip of each key pressed thereby decelerating down the typing velocity. Typing velocity is a important factor to see with Don, since his intent for therapy was to increase his typing abilities. However, if the break of invariably rectifying errors due to inadvertent key strokes is great, the overall typing velocity may increase by forestalling mistakes before they occur. This may be the instance with Don and therefore we would urge this option. Furthermore, most delayed credence versions are package ; doing it cheap, easy operated and deactivated. Delayed credence, under the name & # 8220 ; decelerate keys & # 8221 ; , comes included in Macintosh and Windows 95.
Gluey keys is another option which addresses the job of at the same time pressing two keys. For illustration pressing displacement, let go ofing it and so pressing another key would hold the same consequence as pressing both keys together.
Another engineering we considered is word anticipation. As the client begins typing, with each missive the word forecaster presents a list of words that start with the letters he has typed. When the client spots his intended word, he clicks on it and it will look on his papers. With each new missive the client types, new words are displayed until the word appears on the list or is completed by the client. While the intent of word anticipation is to increase typing velocity, it normally does the antonym. In add-on many clients find it annoying to invariably hold to peek at the anticipation list and look off from where their attending is focused. For these really grounds we would non propose this version for our client. Unless he fatigues, in which instance this option may increase productiveness.
Abbreviation enlargement is an assistive engineering device, which aids in increasing typing velocity. It allows the user to delegate an abbreviation to a longer phrase. When the user types the abbreviation, the phrase appears on the screen. One can make their ain abbreviations, based on frequent words or phrases that they use. This would be really utile for Don. He could custom-make the abbreviations harmonizing to his composing manner. Abbreviations are merely recognized when spaced by themselves, and non when they are found in the center of a word. In order to profit from this, the user must hold cognitive capablenesss, as is the instance with Don.
Another option considered for Don is Morse codification. Morse codification uses a combination of points and elans as a codification for alphabet and punctuation. Simply utilizing one switch or two switches, the user is able to to the full pass on with minimum motor map. A intent for utilizing two switches instead than one is to divide the two signals in instance the client has problem let go ofing the switch at the appropriate clip. ( To divide points and elans ) . Using big jellybean switches will do it easier for Don to press. The cost of Morse codification ranges up to 800 dollars ( DADA Entry ) . One advantage of Morse codification is speed. For a individual with motor troubles this system provides an optimum velocity. Another advantage is that the Morse codification can go automatic with increased use. A disadvantage to Morse codification is that it has to be learned and the user has to be trained. Person with larning jobs may hold trouble. Bing that our client has motor jobs and non learning, this will non be a job. The velocity of typewriting is indispensable for his business and preparation may be a worthwhile investing.
In decision, After comparing and sing our two options of expanded keyboard versus Morse codification, we concluded that an expanded keyboard would be the best entree method for Don. Since the expanded keyboard ( Apple II+ and IIE ) addresses Don & # 8217 ; s restrictions we did non happen it necessary to travel through the needed preparation for Morse codification. However if expanded keyboard did non work, Morse codification could be used.
We searched many web sites and diaries for a published mention on expanded keyboards, but to no help. We did, nevertheless, find an article on Morse codification and its prevalence in assistive engineering today.
