COMFORT KEYBOARD featuring Disc Loc(tm) Universal Mounting System CRITICAL FACTORS IN THE EVALUATION OF ERGONOMICALLY-DESIGNED COMPUTER KEYBOARDS I. Introduction The advent of ergonomically--designed computer keyboards and the novelty of the concepts behind their development are causing confusion in the marketplace, Though interest in the new devices is high, there is a widespread lack of understanding of the relative merits of the various new products. The term "ergonomically-designed keyboard" is commonly used to describe any of a range of new keyboard products designed with consideration of human factors and physical characteristics. They purport to offer benefits over previously existing keyboard designs. Most keyboard hardware in use today has become standardized into the flat, 101-key, non-adjustable device commonly seen in offices, schools and homes across America. Though this "traditional" design has remained largely unchanged for many years, many ergonomists, industrial engineers, medical authorities, loss-control managers and others are challenging the status quo in keyboard design. New designs now reaching the marketplace are attempting to address a variety of problems perceived to be associated with traditional, flat keyboards. The moat critical of these involves complaints of pain and fatigue due to the awkward posture!s required by flat keyboards. There are two general categories of ergonomically-designed keyboards, defined by the benefits they seek to provider -- Keyboards that are designed to promote more natural typing posture; and -- Keyboards with revised key configurations that are intended to reduce finger travel. This guide offers a discussion of the most critical factors used in comparing and evaluating ergonomically-designed computer keyboards. It can be a useful tool for corporate managers, medical staff, safety consultants, insurance managers, procurement professionals and computer end-users. HEALTH CARE(tm) KEYBOARD COMPANY, INC. N82 W15340 APPLETON AVENUE, SUITE L, MENOMONEE FALLS, WI 53051 (414) 253-4131, FAX (414) 253-4177 -2- II. Evaluative Factors A. Is the keyboard adjustable into an infinite number of positions ? To maximize typing comfort, an ergonomically-designed keyboard must be freely adjustable to conform to the typist's natural typing posture. It Should have the following characteristics 1. Separate, independently adjustable sections. Most people want to place the left section at a slightly different angle and position than the right section, because most people's bodies are not symmetrical. Some typists will want to position the keyboard sections further apart than others, since people come in all shapes and sizes. 2. Capability of each section to rotate and tilt in all directions. Each section of the keyboard will thereby adjust into an infinite number of positions, allowing each individual to maintain natural posture. This eliminates unnecessary retrain and increases typing comfort. Incorporation of the above factors into keyboard design also allows the typist to reposition the keyboard sections from time to time during the day for greater variety and comfort. Thus, in itself, can promote feelings of empowerment and control that enhance job satisfaction. Some "alternative" keyboards are not totally adjustable; others are not adjustable at all They are, therefore, unable to conform to the typist's natural posture and require awkward positioning of the hands, wrists and arms. This causes unnecessary -- and potentially damaging -- physical strain. Lack of adjustability also severely limits a keyboard's usefulness to people with physical disabilities; independently adjustable sections could do much to address their particular physical needs. Millions of Americans with disabilities are not as productive as they could be, because they find it difficult to use keyboards that are not fully adjustable. B. Does the keyboard have the standard key arrangement? Any keyboard that uses an unfamiliar key arrangement will require the user, in effect, to learn to type all over again. This is unnecessary and constitutes a serious drain on productivity. -3- Ergonomically-designed keyboards that use the standard key arrangement are easy to learn to use. Any variation in key arrangement will require retraining and incur lost work time before the typist regains even minimal typing proficiency. The so-called "chord" keyboards would require total retraining; for this reason they probably will not see widespread use. C. Has the keyboard been validated by the professional community? To be s successful, an ergonomically-designed keyboard should have attained a high degree of acceptance within the professional community -- researchers, rehabilitation/disability experts and ergonomists. A viable keyboard should be: 1. Recognized and validated through a formal evaluation process by a credible academic, scientific or professional organization. 2. Included in current research that is planned or underway to increase knowledge about workstation ergonomics and the negative effects of typing on non-adjustable keyboards. 3. Validated by formal and extensive field testing, to evaluate independently keyboard efficacy under actual workplace conditions. The ideal user sample would include both governmental and non-governmental organizations, rehabilitation/disability agencies and programs, and both disabled and non-disabled individuals. III. Summary and Conclusions Increased attention has been focused on physical problems associated with flat computer keyboards, leading to the emergence of ergonomically-designed alternatives. In many cases the public lacks the understanding needed to compare and evaluate these designs. A valid ergonomically-designed keyboard must have sections that separate and are fully adjustable into an infinite number of positions. It must use a key arrangement that is familiar to the typist. And, finally, it must have achieved acceptance within the professional community. Application of these criteria to alternative designs can assist the user in avoiding costly mistakes when purchasing a keyboard to address particular physical needs. ###