Keyguards are plates that you can put over your tablet or keyboard that make it easier to hit the right space on your touchscreen or the right key. By limiting access of the device to the spaces cut into the plate, keyguards make it a lot easier for people with limited fine motor control to hit the right spot. They can also be used with a stylus.
While they can be used for a wide variety of purposes, keyguards are often used with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps on tablets and iPads, allowing people with speech and language impairments to communicate more easily.
The design of a keyguard needs to take into account the size of the device, the case (if you have one), and how it will be used — the spaces cut into the plate need to match up with where you’re trying to press, so a keyguard needs to be made for a specific app.
In our Assistive Device Library, we have designs for 3D printed keyguards and laser cut acrylic keyguards that you can request and work with a maker to customize it for you or your client’s needs. While commercial keyguards can cost upwards of $70 USD, with the keyguards here, you will only need to cover the costs of materials and shipping.
3D Printable Keyguards for AAC Apps on Tablets
3D printed keyguards have a number of advantages.
For starters, since it only requires the filament to print, your cost will be under $10 to make it. With the reduced cost, you could afford to make several keyguards for different apps, if you need to.
3D printing — as opposed to laser cutting — allows for greater customization. They can be printed in a wide variety of colours to be aesthetically pleasing. The keyguard doesn’t need to be flat, it can have grooves and rounded edges, allowing for a wider variety of mounting options.
The keyguard can be held in place by the tablet’s case, or it could be mounted using microsuction tape, clip-on straps, velcro, or suction cups.
All the files a maker needs to customize and print a 3D printable keyguard can be found in the link above, as well as detailed instructions, all courtesy of maker Ken Hackbarth of Volksswitch.org.
Laser Cut Keyguards
If you want a transparent keyguard to fit over your screen, you’re going to want to go acrylic.
Acrylic laser cut keyguards are also stronger than their 3D printed counterparts, made out of a solid sheet of acrylic. Some users may also prefer the feel of an acrylic keyguard to a 3D printed keyguard.
Included in the files are a collection of laser cut keyguard designs, including ones for several different iterations of the iPad and Wego, compatible with the AAC apps “Touch Chat” and “Go Talk Now,” as well as one for a ThinkPad keyboard.
Other Devices
In our Assistive Devices Library, we also have a number of keyguard designs for specific apps and devices, as well as keyguard related tools.
Lamp Words For Life – VI Keyguard
A customizable 3D printed keyguard for use with the PRC-Saltillo LAMP Words for Life® – VI AAC program on the Accent 1000 device.
Keyguard for Wireless Keyboard
An acrylic laser cut keyguard for use with TeckNet Wireless Keyboards
Keyguard for TouchChat HD AAC app
A 3D-printed keyguard for the TouchChat HD app, designed for 3rd generation iPads, but can be customized for other devices.
Go Talk Button Guard
This 3D printed button guard physically restricts access to the volume control and change level buttons located in the upper right corner of a Go Talk® 9+ Augmentative and Alternative Communication device. These buttons can be a distraction for people first learning how to use the device.
Acrylic case for use with iPad Air2 with or without Proloquo2Go
A laser cut acrylic keyguard designed for an iPad. In using Proloquo2Go, the user needs to tap a sequence of icons to build the message. However, for users with limited hand control, it may be difficult to lift the hand/finger after the intended icon is tapped/touched (without sliding onto the adjacent icon). The cut-outs on the top layer of the case exposes only areas in the middle of (the matrix of) icons. The edges of the cut-outs lifts the user’s finger allowing for the icon to be recognized by the software.
Tech Talk 8×6 Desktop Stand
While this device is not a keyguard, it may be a useful accessory for some who need to use keyguards. This desktop stand was designed for a user who tends to push/throw the Tech Talk AAC device during use. The team supporting this individual was looking for a means to secure the device for use at a desk and wheelchair tray, so it needed to be sturdy, but repositionable.
Easy Measurement Tool for Custom Keyguards
This tool is used to make it easier to obtain the measurements to create a custom keyguard.
Do you need to request a keyguard? Do you need a keyguard for a device not shown here? Do you have feedback or an idea for improving one of these designs? Make a post in our forum and get in touch with the maker community.