Use of microswitch technology and a keyboard emulator to support literacy performance of persons with extensive neuro-motor disabilities

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and acceptability of microswitch technology and a keyboard emulator to enable three participants with extensive neuro-motor disabilities to write words. Method: In Study I, two participants triggered an automatic scanning keyboard and selected/wrote letters via a small sliding movement of their hand(s) activating a touch/pressure panel (microswitch). In Study II, a third participant used the sliding movement and panel and a vocalization response with a voice-detecting microswitch. The sliding movement allowed her to light up the keyboard and select the letters and the vocalization to perform the scanning. Results: Participants showed a better performance (shorter writing time) or an equally effective but less tiring performance with the new microswitch technology and response(s). They also preferred using this technology, and social validation ratings favoured such technology over previous solutions. Conclusion: The aforementioned technology may be useful to enable persons with extensive neuro-motor disabilities to write successfully.