A special virtual keyboard for disabled computer users

Abstract

In this paper, we present a special virtual keyboard for computer users with disabilities who have problems typing. In particular, the keys are placed based on user typing habit and determined by a genetic algorithm (GA). When a disabled user types on a QWERTY keyboard, the typing cost is high, because the keys are not optimally arranged for disabled users, who can only type with one finger. With the proposed keyboard, the keys can be customised and arranged to minimise the typing cost (e.g., certain keys should be placed close to one another). Our analysis indicates that the proposed keyboard can outperform the traditional keyword by about 40 per cent. Hence the special virtual keyboard can facilitate disabled users to type more effectively and efficiently.