Virtual Keyboard 1.0: The UdL developed a virtual keyboard for people with disabilities

The application, made under the chair-Fundación Adecco Indra enables the writing of texts in five languages

The University of Lleida has developed a virtual keyboard that facilitates access for people with motor disabilities to new technologies.VirtualKeyboard The project, which was launched in the Chair Indra - Adecco Foundation coordinated by Professor Jordi Palacín allows writing texts using any device capable of controlling the cursor on the screen as the mouse, joystick or the touchpad. This tool can benefit more than one and a half million people with mobility problems in the Spanish State.

VirtualKeyboard works through an application that appears on the computer screen and allows the writing of text by pressing the virtual keys. The system incorporates technological innovations that makes it easy to write for people with motor disabilities who are unable to use conventional keyboards. Thus, VirtualKeyboard with word prediction function. The algorithms learn how to write user and exponentially improve their rates of success. Tests conducted by writing literary texts of between 15,000 and 20,000 words to show a savings of 40% in the keypresses needed to write about 7000 words of less.

VirtualKeyboard can benefit more than one and a half million people with mobility problems in the Spanish State

VirtualKeyboard offers 5 dictionaries that include the words most of the Castilian, Catalan, English, French and Italian. It also has a machine learning system that allows you to expand your base and create new dictionary words in any language based on the Roman alphabet. Thus, the writing style of the users are automatically updated and allows the application to use multiple dictionaries in one language and tailored to specific uses optimized: writing e-mails, technical writing, script writing, etc.

Under the project presentation VirtualKeyboard, the UDL has renewed its collaboration agreement with Indra and the Adecco Foundation to continue research, development and technology transfer as well as training and outreach - in the field of Information Technologies and Communications (ICT). Both the chancellor and the director Joan Viñas Indra in Catalonia, Manel Brufau, and the general manager of the Adecco Foundation, Mesonero Francisco, have reaffirmed their commitment to social responsibility.

Technological development of VirtualKeyboard is free and open access. Can be installed and run on any computer equipped with the Windows operating system. The use of the application is completely intuitive and requires no prior training. The VirtualKeyboard complements the virtual mouse HeadMouse established by UdL 2008 and has had wide acceptance throughout the world. In total we have counted more than 225,000 downloads from countries like Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina or Brazil.

Here I leave with you a video demonstration of the Virtual Keyboard 1.0 and a link to where you can download and find all necessary information:

Virtual Keyboard 1.0 (download)

Source: Universitat de Lleida

___________________________________
DIVERSITAT FUNCIONAL Web Portal
http://www.diversitatfuncional.org/
Blog ICT AND DISABILITY
http://discapacitat-en.diversitatfuncional.org/