Chapter 3, Keyboard Skills Training

3.1 Minimum Typing Speed Requirement

All consumers who are not employed must be able to type 30 words per minute (wpm) unless prevented by

  • a physical impairment, or
  • a documented secondary disability that significantly limits manual dexterity.

Employed consumers may be exempted from the typing speed requirement if their employment does not require a minimum typing speed. Other exemptions are made on a case-by-case basis during the baseline assessment.

If a consumer who is referred for training cannot type 30 wpm, you, the trainer, should notify the counselor or EAS immediately. Consumers who cannot satisfy the typing speed requirement should begin their training schedule with the keyboard skills training described below. Basic keyboarding and typing should be taught at a training facility or community college rather than in the consumer’s home. Training facilities offer reduced rates for practice sessions.

3.2 Keyboard Skills Training

Keyboard skills are defined as the ability to touch-type using a QWERTY keyboard, including the function keys.

The time required to complete the keyboard skills module depends on the consumer’s level of manual dexterity and familiarity with the keyboard. The estimated time to achieve 30 wpm is from 24 to 32 hours of training, along with regular practice at home.

3.3 The QWERTY Keyboard (15 Hours)

Teach QWERTY keyboard skills using the following steps.

  1. Test consumers to determine their speed and accuracy on the keyboard.
  2. Provide instruction and exercises to develop consumers’ speed and accuracy on the QWERTY keyboard including
    • teaching general layout of the keyboard by touch;
    • using a blindfold, if appropriate, to develop touch-typing techniques;
    • teaching the home row position; and
    • teaching how to locate and use the Shift keys, Tab, forward and back slashes, Return, and Backspace.

3.4 Performance Objectives and Measurements

Measure the following during keyboard skills training.

  1. The consumer can type 10 to 15 words per minute with accuracy — Yes or No.
  2. The consumer can set tabs, use capitals correctly, find the slash keys, and Backspace to make corrections — Yes or No.
  3. The consumer understands the function of the Return or Enter key — Yes or No.

3.5 The Extended Keyboard (12 Hours)

Teach extended keyboard skills using the following steps.

  1. Review the previous lesson (The QWERTY Keyboard).
  2. For screen-reader users, provide instruction and practice on the numeric keypad function of the Num-Lock key.
  3. Provide practice in locating and using the function keys, arrow keys, and the six-pack keypad next to the numeric keypad.
  4. Provide instruction in locating and using the Alt keys, Ctrl keys, and Windows logo key.
  5. Provide drills and exercises in using multikey commands such as Ctrl+Alt+Delete, etc.

3.6 Performance Objectives and Measurements

Measure the following during extended keyboard training.

The consumer can locate and use the arrow keys, Page Up and Page Down keys, Home and End keys, and plus and minus keys on the numeric key pad — Yes or No. 
The consumer can delete, move from the top to the end of the file, and use the six-pack keypad next to the numeric keypad — Yes or No. 
The consumer can use multikey commands such as Shift, Ctrl, and F6 to accomplish various tasks — Yes or No. 
Unless exempted, the consumer can type 30 words per minute with accuracy — words per minute.