Students with physical disabilities are provided with certain mouse alternatives through Macintosh OS X and the Windows Operating System. These alternatives allow students to use movements that they are most comfortable with to direct a mouse pointer.
Trackballs act as a mouse that remains in one place. The mouse pointer moves in response to a stationary ball that is rotated on a base. Buttons are also positioned near the ball that have the same function as the buttons on a mouse. There are large trackballs, standard trackballs, and mini-trackballs. Mini-trackballs work well for students with good fine motor control but have a very limited range of motion
Joysticks are similar to trackballs, but instead of a ball, there is a movable handle that is perpendicular to the base.
Eye-gaze systems use a students' eyes to direct a mouse pointer. Infrared-sensitive video cameras determine where a student is looking and then move the mouse pointer to that spot. Clicking can be done by using a switch or blinking an eye. This type of mouse alternative is used by students who have limited muscle movements in their hands and/or head.
Keyboard Alternatives
Although standard keyboards work well for most students, students with disabilities have trouble using them. Expanded keyboards are over-sized keyboards that offer a larger surface. Students with poor fine motor control who need a large area to perform an accurate key stroke benefit greatly from this type of alternative keyboard.
On-screen keyboards display an image of the keyboard on the computer screen, and letters/functions are selected by clicking on them with a mouse/mouse alternative. They provide computer accessibility to students who are unable to use a keyboard because of motor skill deficiencies but can control a mouse/mouse alternative. Students who also have trouble refocusing their attention from the monitor to the keyboard and back to the monitor again benefit from this tool.
Resource: Dell, A., Newton, D., Petroff. (2012). Assistive technology in the classroom: Enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
You found so many different options for making computers available for students. We know that students can have difficulty using a mouse or keyboards and these assistive technology tools can make these items accessible to all students. The eye-gaze systems that you discussed is very interesting. The fact that video cameras can determine where a student is looking and place the mouse in that direct spot blows my mind. You can also click by blinking an eye! It is amazing what technology can do for us.
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