After you learn the One-Hand QWERTY typing system, you will then have a great need for the mouse. At that point, you will need to adapt to your circumstance.

One-Handed Typists and Drop-Down Keyboard Racks

Drop-down keyboard racks are terrific! I could not get through a full day at work without one. Do get one if you can. However, many of these desks with keyboard racks assume you only want space for a normal keyboard centered in front of your body. They have room for your legs only just below the drop-drown rack, and for your screen centered above the rack. A one-hand typist's body must be off set to the keyboard. Many computer desks just do not allow for this.

Note the photo to the right. See how my keyboard had to hang off of the small drop down rack, and part of it disappeared under the desk. Very uncomfortable and unstable.

Here is another photo of a GREAT desk, that is NOT good for one handed typists. See how small the rack is? Also, there is no way you can offset the keyboard to your body. The desk forces the keyboard to be ONLY right in front of you.

The best solution is to buy a desk with a large drop down keyboard rack! I have finally found some desks that are economical, and useful for the one handed typist. See photo to the left. They are manufactured by Bush, and sold at many office supply stores. Just ask. The rack shown here is 40 inches, and allows for my track ball. Bush has created several models with this extra long rack. Wonderful! The desk shown here was under $150. Prices will vary from area to area

Notice the page we have for you all about the issues with mice for one handed typists

Here are other alternatives if you cannot afford a new desk.

Move the screen and your chair over to be in line with far side of the rack.

Add additional keyboard holders. On my old desk (see photo this page), my keyboard used to hang over the right side of my drop-down keyboard rack by about 8 inches. To hold it up, I had to add two padded, plastic holders that sit on top of my drop-down keyboard rack (these holders are created to raise the front of the keyboard and support the typist's wrists). In addition to lifting the front of my keyboard, they supported the keyboard, allowing me to slide my keyboard over the edge of the rack, it actually hung off the side.

Buy a left-handed keyboard so the numeric keypad will be on the left. This keyboard is more expensive than a standard keyboard.

Buy a space saving, or child size keyboard, http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/littlefingers.html

Buy a keyboard with no numeric pad at all.