SBIR-FUNDED ALTERNATIVE KEYBOARD EASES COMPUTER USAGE FOR DISABLED,
CHILDREN

August 9, 1993 -- As computer usage becomes more and more a part of
everyday life, computer literacy for all people becomes increasingly
important.  A researcher funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)
is helping to address that concern with his "smart" computer keyboard and
its creative and evolving set of tools.

Arjan Khalsa created his IntelliKeys keyboard with private funding in 1992,
and is now funded by NSF's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
program to research the potential for extending its application in
educational settings. Although he originally designed his keyboard to
respond to the unique needs of the physically disabled, Khalsa is finding
it equally useful for children, students, and other groups.

The keyboard comes with seven interchangeable overlays with large,
easy-to-touch keys.  Khalsa has developed software which allows users such
as teachers to design "faces" for the keyboard -- in other words, to
create their own custom overlays to fit the needs of individual users,
activities, software programs, and computers.  For example, users can
change the number of keys, size and location of each key, type of label on
each key, function each key performs, and appearance details such as
color, patterns, and borders.

Khalsa has also developed a talking word processor, called "IntelliTalk,"
which allows non-verbal students to participate in classroom activities by
simultaneously typing and speaking a sentence.

By envisioning and developing his "keyboard with a changing face," Khalsa's
goal was to create one that is easy to use, does not require extensive
training, and can dramatically improve student performance and access to
computer communications.  He claims success by pointing to an experiment
conducted in 1992 which showed that students with disabilities -- and
their able-bodied peers -- could dramatically improve their performance by
using IntelliKeys to report their results.

"That meant they could spend more time learning about science and less time
struggling to report on what they learned," said Khalsa.

Khalsa compares the alternative keyboard to a typical sidewalk curbcut
which improves the physical mobility of many people in addition to those
in wheelchairs for whom they were originally designed -- for example,
parents pushing strollers, kids on bicycles and delivery people with
carts.  "As a curbcut, the keyboard has many advantages over the standard
keyboard for students and teachers and for many other adults in the
community at large; for example, to encourage children to use computers
before they know how to type or even write properly, or to teach English
to the increasing number of foreign-speaking U.S. citizens."

IntelliKeys was funded this year under Phase II of the three-phase SBIR
process to continue to explore and evaluate its applications.  For
example, children with physical disabilities will do science experiments
and record their results using IntelliKeys with a custom overlay, then
will listen to their lab reports as IntelliTalk reads their reports to
them from their computer screens.  Also under Phase II, Khalsa will
develop and distribute teachers guides, curriculum activity booklets, and
custom overlays for math and science software programs.

According to Don Senich, who manages the SBIR program at NSF, IntelliKeys
is "a good example of the SBIR program's goal to stimulate technological
innovation in the private sector, increase the commercial application of
NSF-supported research, and improve the return on investment from
federally-funded research for its economic and social benefits to the
nation."

The National Science Foundation is an independent agency of the federal
government established in 1950 to promote and advance scientific progress
in the United States.  NSF accomplishes its mission primarily by
competitively awarding grants to educational institutions for research and
education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

This and other information is available electronically on STIS, NSF's
Science and Technology Information System.  For more information about
STIS contact the Publications Section at (202) 357-7861 and request the
"STIS Flyer," NSF Publication #91-10, or send an E-mail message to
stisinfo@nsf.gov (INTERNET) or stisinfo@NSF (BITNET).
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FACT SHEET
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Purpose: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program was
initiated at NSF in 1977 and now spans 11 federal agencies.  Its purpose
is to increase the opportunity for small science and technology-based
firms to participate in federally supported research and development and
to stimulate technological innovation and commercial applications.

How it works:  SBIR proposals are solicited annually, and are categorized
into 25 topic areas covering all fields supported by NSF.  Proposals are
evaluated on a competitive basis, with primary consideration given to
their scientific and technical merit along with potential for
commercialization. The program is implemented in three phases.  Projects
must first be funded for a six-month feasibility study under Phase I.  If
determined eligible, they are then funded for the principal research
effort under Phase II.  In Phase III, which does not involve any SBIR
funding, the commercial applications of the resulting research are
pursued.

Budget:  Each agency with an R&D budget of more than $100 million is
congressionally directed to spend 1.5 percent of its budget on the SBIR
Program.  That percentage is projected to grow to 2.5 percent by 1997.
NSF's SBIR budget for 1993 is $28 million.

Proposals:  The number of Phase I proposals received by NSF under SBIR
increased from 1,740 in 1992 to more than 2,200 in 1993. Of those, 260 are
expected to receive a Phase I awards. Another 64 projects have received
support this year for Phase II.

Examples:  Government-wide, successful projects include new scientific
instrumentation, advanced materials, computer applications, and
environmental services.  Examples of successful NSF-funded SBIR projects
include an alternative computer keyboard with a variety of applications in
educational settings; a product which reduces the drag on tractor trailors
and subsequently reduces diesel fuel consumption; and a process to breed
and harvest striped bass for consumption in areas where it would otherwise
be unavailable.

Federal agencies participating in SBIR: National Science Foundation;
National Institutes of Health; National Aeronautics and Space
Administration; departments of Defense, Energy, Agriculture, Commerce,
Education, and Transportation; Environmental Protection Agency; and
Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

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