title: Text entry rate of access interfaces used by people with physical disabilities: A systematic review.
abstract: This study systematically reviewed the research on assistive technology (AT) access interfaces used for text entry, and conducted a quantitative synthesis of text entry rates (TER) associated with common interfaces. We searched 10 databases and included studies in which: typing speed was reported in words per minute (WPM) or equivalent; the access interface was available for public use; and individuals with physical impairments were in the study population. For quantitative synthesis, we used only the TER reported for individuals with physical impairments. Studies also had to report the sample size, and the average and standard deviation for the TER data. Thirty-nine studies met the criteria for quantitative synthesis. Studies involved seven interface types: standard keyboard typing, on-screen keyboard (OSK) with cursor selection, OSK with scanning selection, automatic speech recognition (ASR), Morse code, brain-computer interface (BCI), and other. ASR, standard keyboard, cursor OSK, and scanning OSK had at least four studies and 30 subjects, with TER averaging 15.4, 12.5, 4.2, and 1.7 WPM, respectively. When combined with measurements of a particular client's text entry performance, the TER from this review can be used within an evidence-based decision-making process for selecting control interfaces.
authors.affiliation: a Koester Performance Research , Ann Arbor , Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Heidi Horstmann
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Koester
authors.affiliation: b Department of Occupational Therapy , University of New Hampshire , Durham , New Hampshire , USA.
authors.forename: Sajay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arthanat
mesh_terms: D062207:Brain-Computer Interfaces; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D049250:Speech Recognition Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014956:Writing
keywords: accessibility; assistive technology; computer access; physical impairment; text entry rate; typing