2001 Conference Proceedings
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There's A Mouse Out There for Everyone
Carol S. Fuhrer, MS, OTR
Kornreich Technology Center, National Center for Disability
Services
201 I. U. Willets Rd.
Albertson, NY 11507
Phone: (516) 465-1627
Fax: (516) 465-3744
Email: CFUHRER@NCDS.ORG
www.ncds.org/kornreich/newkorn.htm
Susan E. Fridie, MS, OTR.
Kornreich Technology Center, National Center for Disability
Services
201 I. U. Willets Rd.
Albertson, NY 11507
Phone: 516) 465-1626
Fax: (516) 465-3744
Email: SFRIDIE@NCDS.ORG
www.ncds.org/kornreich/newkorn.htm
The prevalence of the graphical user interface (GUI) in
microcomputer systems means that the ability to select screen
locations by pointing to and selecting them has become an
essential skill for microcomputer operation. Effective use of a
standard computer mouse can be difficult for people of all
abilities, and even more challenging for someone with a
disability. Fortunately there are many alternatives that allow
users with physical and cognitive deficits to operate in the
world of the GUI.
Use of a mouse device involves a variety of tasks and
skills:
- Deciding on the "target" - the place on the screen you want
to reach with the mouse, such as an icon or text in a document.
This is primarily a cognitive function.
- Visually locating the target on the screen and visually
locating the current location of the mouse cursor. These are
primarily visual/perceptual tasks.
- Reaching the target with the mouse cursor. This involves
visual/ perceptual skills as well as motor performance.
- Deciding which of several selection tasks is needed and
performing it:
- Click
- Double click
- Drag
These functions may need to be performed with either the left or
right button. They are primarily cognitive and motor functions.
* Depending on the computer activity being performed, any or all
of these steps may need to be done repetitively.
Therefore, anyone with difficulty with cognitive, visual,
perceptual, or motor performance can experience problems using a
standard mouse. This may include people with orthopedic,
neurological, or congenital conditions, learning disabilities,
computer-induced stresses, or non-disabled people who use the
mouse constantly.
Before considering an alternative to the standard mouse, there
are a variety of options which may accommodate a user
experiencing difficulties. One can:
- Reposition the mouse relative to the person
- Modify the shape, size, or color of the mouse cursor
- Adjust the acceleration of cursor movement
- Reprogram the mouse buttons to accommodate hand dominance,
difficulty double-clicking, etc.
- Place tactile markers on mouse buttons to differentiate
between the buttons
When modifications to the standard mouse are insufficient, an
alternative should be considered. A variety of mouse alternatives
are commercially produced which are marketed to the general
public, who are generally more concerned with novelty, personal
preference, or conserving desk space than they are with differing
abilities. Many of these mainstream devices may also be of
assistance to people with disabilities. These include trackballs,
mouse devices with additional buttons, trackpads, foot-controlled
mouse devices, stick mouse devices, pressure pointing devices,
joystick-style mouse devices, etc. The variety of configurations
available makes it possible for many people to find an effective
mouse substitute, usually at a lower cost than a product designed
for the disability market would command.
Because of the smaller potential market, and perhaps the need to
include unusual features or innovative technology,
disability-specific products tend to be significantly more
costly. However, they can accommodate a much wider range of
functional abilities than mass-market products. People with
reasonably good control over some body part can usually use a
direct-selection product. They include: head-controlled mouse
devices (e.g., Headmaster(, Tracker(, HeadMouse(), eye-movement
mouse devices (e.g., QuickGlance(, The Eyegaze System(), a
mouth-controlled device (e.g., Jouse(), and hand-operated devices
(e.g., P&G( Roller Joysticks and Trackballs, TouchWindow().
For users with limited control or range of movement, who cannot
use a direct-selection device, indirect-selection products are
available. They include MouseKeys, scanning products
(RadarMouse(, CrossScanner(). Other mouse emulation methods are
integrated with keyboard emulation programs, such as Morse code
(EZKeys Morse(, Darci Morse(), and voice (Dragon( voice
products).
There is also an option to entirely eliminate the need to move a
cursor and activate buttons by using the keyboard instead.
Increasingly, software designers are including keyboard shortcuts
to perform functions usually accomplished with a mouse. In 1997,
Microsoft published Guidelines for Accessible Software Design,
which include standards for keyboard access. Accordingly,
Microsoft Windows and Office, products are totally keyboard
accessible; products by other software publishers have varying
levels of keyboard accessibility.
Selection of an mouse alternative for an individual should not
be a casual process. To find the best match between the user's
abilities and the many mainstream and specialty products
available in stores and catalogs, an evaluation with an
experienced assistive technology professional is important.
During an evaluation, the consumer will:
- Learn about and compare the features of a variety of
products
- Gain hands-on experience with several products which may fit
his/her needs
- Have the opportunity to express special requirements and
preferences
- Make a choice in collaboration with the evaluator, who may be
aware of a variety of issues the consumer might not otherwise be
aware of
To facilitate our evaluations of individuals with disabilities,
the Kornreich Technology Center has developed a simple mouse
evaluation tool and recording form. The tool permits assessment
of the user's speed and accuracy using a series of specified
mouse tasks chosen because a) they are commonly used and b) they
require all the tasks and skills of mouse use discussed at the
beginning of this paper. Results from various mouse devices
evaluated by an individual are recorded on same form for easy
comparison.
With the broad range of mouse devices available, virtually
anyone, even those faced with a disabling condition, can perform
mouse functions in vocational, educational, and recreational
environments.
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