Editing IBM Screen Reader Keypad

{{infobox dkeyboard
| image name   = IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_complete_key_pad.jpg
| model        = 
| pn           = 1393387
| fcc          = AN09SA6450602
| branding     = [[IBM]]
| manufacturer = [[IBM]]
| features     = 
| switch       = [[IBM buckling spring]]
| layouts      = Application specific
| interface    = SDL cable to PS/2 connector
}}

The '''IBM Screen Reader Keypad''' was an 18-key keypad from the [[IBM Model M]] family with membrane-type [[IBM buckling spring]] key switches. The keypad was an integral part of a system designed to give blind computer users access to OS/2, DOS and Windows applications back in the 1980s; in fact, it was the first screen reader for a graphical user interface on the PC.<ref name=AFB/>. Unlike most Model M keyboards besides the [[IBM 50 Key Keyboard]], the keypad's inner assembly bears some resemblance to one of an [[IBM Model F]]'s. Whilst erroneously referred to as exclusively the "Screen Reader/2 Keypad", the keypad was in fact announced in January 1988 alongside IBM PS/2 Screen Reader 1.0<ref name=IBMC88-001/>. This was followed by IBM Screen Reader 1.1 in December 1989<ref name=IBM289-578/> and eventually IBM Screen Reader/DOS 1.2 (for DOS 3.3 and later only) and IBM Screen Reader/2 (for OS/2 and later Windows) in June 1992<ref name=IBM292-364/><ref name=IBM292-363/>. The keypad was withdrawn from marketing on April 28, 1995<ref name=IBM195-112/>

Despite using a PS/2 cable, the Screen Reader Keypad is not a typical PS/2 device. It was intended to be connected through either a PS/2 mouse port or a PS/2 port on a drop-in ISA expansion card for PC/XT and PC/AT systems called the IBM Screen Reader Adapter (P/N 57F1588, assembly P/N 57F1587, FRU 33F4842).

==Gallery==
Pictures of the IBM Screen Reader keypad.

<gallery widths=250 heights=167>
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_no_rear_cable.jpg                                              | Keypad no rear cable
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_back.jpg                                                       | Keypad back
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_key_caps_removed.jpg                                           | Keycaps removed
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_complete_key_pad.jpg                                           | Complete keypad
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_SDL_cable_plugged_in.jpg                                       | SDL cable plugged in
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_side_profile_with_stand.jpg                                    | Side profile with stand
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_membrane_exposed_through_absent_keys.jpg                       | Membrane exposed through absent keys
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_PCB_board_ICs_marked_late_1987.jpg                             | Integrated circuits marked late 1987
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_back_plate_identification_label.jpg                            | Back plate identification label
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_next_to_normal_Model_M.jpg                                     | Keypad next to normal Model M keyboard
IBM_Screen_Reader_Pad_odd_mix_of_Model_F_plates_and_Model_M_paddles_and_membrane.jpg | Odd mix of Model F plates and Model M paddles and membrane
</gallery>

==References==
<references>
<ref name=AFB>AccessWorld Magazine — [https://www.afb.org/aw/5/2/14760 ''On-the-Job Profile: A History of Accessibility at IBM'', by Annemarie Cooke (March 2004)] (American Foundation for the Blind)</ref>
<ref name=IBMC88-001>IBM — [https://sharktastica.co.uk/resources/docs/txt/IBM_C88-001_CAS-1988-01-26_1988_IBM.txt C88-001: CUSTOMER ANNOUNCEMENT SUMMARY - JANUARY 26, 1988] (Admiral Shark's Keyboards)</ref>
<ref name=IBM289-578>IBM — [https://sharktastica.co.uk/resources/docs/txt/IBM_289-578_SR-1.1_1989_IBM.txt 289-578: SCREEN READER VERSION 1.1] (Admiral Shark's Keyboards)</ref>
<ref name=IBM292-364>IBM — [https://sharktastica.co.uk/resources/docs/txt/IBM_292-364_SRD-1.2_1992_IBM.txt 292-364: IBM SCREEN READER/DOS VERSION 1.2] (Admiral Shark's Keyboards)</ref>
<ref name=IBM292-363>IBM — [https://sharktastica.co.uk/resources/docs/txt/IBM_292-363_SR2_1992_IBM.txt 292-363: IBM SCREEN READER/2] (Admiral Shark's Keyboards)</ref>
<ref name=IBM195-112>IBM — [https://sharktastica.co.uk/resources/docs/txt/IBM_195-112_SRK-Withdrawal_1995_IBM.txt 195-112: Withdrawal: IBM Screen Reader Keypad and Cable -- Replacement Available] (Admiral Shark's Keyboards)</ref>
</references>

==External links==
* Admiral Shark's Keyboards — [https://sharktastica.co.uk/wiki?id=modelmsrk Model M Screen Reader Keypad wiki page]
* IBM.com — [ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/sns/sr-os2/sr2annou.txt Announcement of version 1.1]
* Springer Link — [https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F3-540-58476-5_108.pdf ''Screen Reader/2 - Programmed Access to the GUI''], by Jim Thatcher of IBM Research

[[Category:IBM keyboards]]
[[Category:IBM Model M keyboards]]
[[Category:Keyboards with buckling springs]]
[[Category:Vintage keyboards]]
[[Category:Numeric keypads]]
[[Category:List of all keyboards]]