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People who deal with a range of disabilities often have trouble hooking into the world of cyberspace that long ago became a necessity for dealing with 21st century society. The range of disabilities that make dealing with the standard keyboard, which has essentially remained unchanged since the earliest days of the typewriter, run the gamut from arthritis to people dealing with amputation of their arms. The manufacturers of a revolutionary assistive adaptive technology called the Lomak are hoping to change all that. Lomak stands for Light Operated Mouse and Keyboard.

So what exactly is Lomak and who can it help and how? The Lomak keyboard is specifically designed to meet the needs of those with disabilities that somehow impair their ability to use a standard keyboard and mouse though, in fact, it could very well be modified for use one day by those who simply are not satisfied with the singular experience of attempting to do their work with such a distinctly outdated mechanism.

The Lomak works by virtue of highly sophisticated light sensing technology. The keyboard use is equipped with either a head pointer or a hand pointer. The hand pointer is ideal for anyone with adequate control over their arm, while the head pointer is a masterful breakthrough that allows anyone with even severe motor control difficulties to use the keyboard. Whether using the head or hand pointer, the Lomak operates by sending a light beam from the pointer to the keyboard that then confirms the specific keyboard or mouse function. The user then highlights the desired key or the mouse function.

The Lomak keyboard can be adapted depending upon the severity of the user's disability. Computer users who have better control over their arms and hands position the Lomak flat so that the keyboard slides into a wrist rest. For those unable to control their arms and hands, such as quadriplegics, the head pointer is fastened around the head with a band and both the keyboard and computer are placed upright. Using the head, the person with a disability controls the pointer and it has been suggested that eventually the rate of typing could exceed 25 words per minute.

The Lomak Light Operated Mouse and Keyboard as an assistive adapted equipment technology that is unlike anything else on the market today and represents a breakthrough that may very quickly become the standard as it opens the door for many people who have had trouble finding a route to the information superhighway in the past. While the $1,500 price may present a case of sticker shock at first, there is no denying that the potential benefits will more than make up that initial investment.Check out the Lomak at their Web site by clicking here.

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