def character_to_vk(self, character):
        """ Returns a tuple of (scan_code, modifiers) where ``scan_code`` is a numeric scan code
        and ``modifiers`` is an array of string modifier names (like 'shift') """
        for vk in self.non_layout_keys:
            if self.non_layout_keys[vk] == character.lower():
                return (vk, [])
        for vk in self.layout_specific_keys:
            if self.layout_specific_keys[vk][0] == character:
                return (vk, [])
            elif self.layout_specific_keys[vk][1] == character:
                return (vk, ['shift'])
        raise ValueError("Unrecognized character: {}".format(character))