Math Tool Accommodations: Number Pads, Calculators and More

I received a question about options for number pads and calculators for the computer. The need was to isolate the number keys so the letter keys weren't being hit. As I got to looking at options, I thought I might as well share my ideas with you. If you know of some cool apps for this or tricks, share them in the comment section. I have left out big button calculators, but they are great tools too. It just depends on what you are wanting to do. The question I received came from a computer keyboard need.

You could use small pvc pipe and elbows and ends to make a “stand” that covers the part of the keyboard you don’t want and leave the numbers at the end. I made one a few years back to cover the keyboard on a laptop – pretty simple – I covered it with foam board from a craft store and covered it with felt. We used it as a flat surface and used velcro to fasten jelly bean switches on it. (Thanks Linda Burkhart!)

Another option is a mini USB pad – here is one for $20 at Target online.

I use comfort software's on-screen keyboard. They have many editable on-screen keyboards and I like one that is a number pad only – you can download the program and get a whole suite of keyboards, word prediction and you can change the size and customize. I put a screen shot of one at the top of this post. The program has a preview download version to try out. I think you can stay in evaluation mode as long as you want to put up with the start-up sales stuff. Their website is: http://www.comfort-software.com/on-screen-keyboard.html

There is also an online virtual calculator for the visually impaired here: http://www.calculateforfree.com/sight.html

This site has all kinds of calculators for different purposes so definitely check them out.

Last but not least, I will refer you again to the Calcu Type online switch activated scanning calculator which is another great on computer math accommodation tool .

All the best to you!

Lon

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Free Web-based CalcuType Adds Scanning to Math Functions

We are always looking for math interfaces for assistive technology. CalcuType is a simple browser-based switch-accessible writing tool with word prediction that also does mathmatical equations and writes out your work.

Dr. Gary Bishop, Professor of Computer Science at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has co-developed and is sharing their program and asking for input. He let me know that although there are other programs out there that do what theirs does, they have added a couple of special features he shared:

"First, the word prediction also does arithmetic. If you type 3+5*2 the suggested completion will be =13. It handles complicated expressions and enables the student to show their work by including text and equations along with their solutions. We think all the vendors of word prediction systems should integrate mathematics into their software. Additionally it allows the student to write on a worksheet represented as an HTML form... It still needs work but we'd love to get feedback from users who would benefit from it."

Calcutype uses an on-screen keyboard with a math window interface. You can configure the setiings you want and open a URL window with it ready to go or use a regular keyboard. You use it to write a document, fill in a form, do math homework, etc. On their web page they share that this is a web-based application that works within the browser and has an embedded calculator. I got the best results using the Firefox web browser. I would highly recommend using the CalcuType with Firefox. I had some problems with IE and Google Chrome, although that might be a problem with our security and firewall at work and not in the program. I love thta it is customizable and works off of the web - so there is nothing to install.
I used a switch interface USB and 2 jelly bean switches for scanning access and it worked great. The developers would really like your input too. They were great to respond and work with me to answer questions. Check them out below.

CalcuType link

It could be interesting to add text to speech and play with a text reader toolbar with it to see what it does. There are several. The click speak embeds in the Firefox browser and Natural Reader is a floating toolbar anywhere on your screen.

All the best to you,
Lon



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