Saitek Overlay Keyboard User Manual

Chapter 5

Using Overlay Keyboards

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Choosing an Overlay Keyboard

5.3 Further Information

Chapter 5 Using Overlay Keyboards

5.1 Introduction

An overlay keyboard is a shallow rectangular plastic or metal box, usually A4 or A3 size, with a flat
top surface. The overlay keyboard plugs into the computer and it is used to operate it in place of the
computer keyboard.

The overlay keyboard surface consists of a number (usually between 128 and 4096) of
touch-sensitive keys. Individual keys, or groups of keys, may be programmed to:

• produce letters, words or phrases;

• emulate the action of pressing keys on the keyboard;

• move the mouse pointer;

• generate sound or speech;

• perform some other operation on the computer.

Figure 5-1 Overlay Keyboards

Discover:Board, Concept Universal Plus, IntelliKeys

Paper or plastic overlays are placed on top of the keyboard to show the user which keys and areas
have been programmed on the keyboard. The overlay can have text, symbols, photographs or objects
– anything that reflects the action of the key(s) underneath in a way that is meaningful for the user.
Figure 5-2 shows an overlay for Discover:Board. The overlay can generate letters, numbers and
control keys; move the mouse pointer and click the mouse button; select blocks of text and then ‘cut’,
‘copy’ and ‘paste’; save to disc and print; spell-check the document; and speak out blocks of text.
This particular overlay is North American: British schools would probably wish to modify it to use
lower-case text.

Figure 5-2 Discover:Board overlay for Write Outloud talking word processor

- 74 -

Chapter 5 Using Overlay Keyboards

Who Might Use an Overlay Keyboard?

The main advantage of overlay keyboards is that dedicated overlays can be tailored to suit the
individual user and a particular task, thereby simplifying and improving access and control. Their use
is not confined to special needs: overlay keyboards are used as input devices for retail, stock control
and automatic cash machines – wherever a limited set of options needs to be presented.

Physical / Perceptual Difficulties

Pupils with physical or perceptual difficulties who find it hard to press the small keys on a standard
keyboard may be able to use overlay keyboards with overlays designed to suit their particular needs.
For example, the keys can be made different sizes, spaced further apart and arranged in a helpful
layout, say with common keys grouped together.

Visual Impairment

Pupils with visual impairment may benefit from overlays created in high contrast colours (e.g.
yellow on black); with large letter sizes; or clear space around each key.

Young and Early Learners

Young and early learners who are unfamiliar with the standard ‘QWERTY’ layout may find the
full keyboard confusing. Overlay keyboards with keys printed in a lower case or ‘primary
handwriting’ font or arranged in alphabetic order (Figure 5-3) may be simpler and easier to use.

Figure 5-3 IntelliKeys alphabetic layout

Overlays can be created with layouts and functions matched to the target application. For example,
the Discover:Board overlay shown below can be used to control the mouse pointer for
‘point-and-click’ programs.

- 75 -

Chapter 5 Using Overlay Keyboards

Figure 5-4 Discover:Board Mouse control overlay

Reading Difficulties

Early readers/writers or users with specific learning difficulties can use overlay keyboards to
produce whole or part words and phrases, with a single keypress. This allows a student to practice
sentence formation without having to worry about the spelling of individual words. Different
overlays can be created to suit the current curricular topic. The Concept Universal overlay below is
for use with the Wellington Square reading scheme.

Figure 5-5 Wellington Square overlay

Overlays are not limited to letters and words – anything can be drawn, printed or glued on the
overlay. Non-readers can select photographs, pictures or symbols as well as, or instead of, text.

Figure 5-6 Concept Plus overlay

- 76 -