For people who cannot touch-type, constantly searching your keyboard for the right letter or symbol can add to optical and postural problems around computer use.
But a Rotorua businessman has identified a niche and developed a product to address this.
Dennis Gray of X Three Hayes Computer Company in Hinemoa St first
thought about a large-print keyboard years ago when an older customer, writing her memoirs, asked him to source one.
"We got one from the United States, but it was a horrendous price and it did not look good - it was white with black lettering."
The idea of creating a more affordable and attractive alternative stayed in the back of his mind until seven months ago, when a round of radiation therapy set him thinking.
He contacted keyboard manufacturers in China and spent months researching print sizes, key colours and illumination levels and colours to create a product, with a recommended retail price of $69.95, that was the best combination of all these factors.
Gray also developed the Big Print Keyboard brand and is now moving on to marketing the product.
"I am looking at New Zealand to start with. We haven't set up any distribution channels as such, but are keen to develop that."
Feedback from businesses around Rotorua has been very positive and he said many users found the illuminated, large-print keyboards easier to read.
"I think it will be huge.
"From a health and safety aspect, this will appeal to a lot of big players."
Although some people perceive it as a product for older people, Gray said all age groups had seen benefits from using it, from children learning their alphabets to older people unfamiliar with computing and keyboard use.
