Assistive Technology Hardware
KeyStrokes an On-Screen Keyboard
KeyStrokes is a fully-functional advanced virtual on-screen keyboard that allows you to type with a mouse, trackball, head pointer or other mouse emulator to type characters into any standard Macintosh application.
For those who can position the pointer, but not click the mouse buttons, the integrated Dwellix™ system-wide dwell-based utility allows mouse button clicks to be entered by simply holding the cursor motionless for a programmable period of time. You can even type without clicking!
With KeyStrokes virtual keyboard a person who can only use a mouse or mouse emulator can have complete access to the Macintosh, the Internet and by extension the World.
One Hand KeyboardI lost most of my left hand when I was 10, in a forklift accident. Today I do from 40 - 80 wpm (depending on how much coffee I've had) with just one hand on a standard NORMAL keyboard. See photo to the left.
I have authored, and typed every word of 8 major books, with the normal keyboard. I can go into any school, workplace or home, and site down with others to play and work just as well as they do.
HeadMouse® Extreme
HeadMouse Extreme replaces a standard computer mouse for people who cannot use their hands. It operates from the top of a computer monitor, laptop computer, or augmentative communication device, and measures the user's head movements. The wireless sensing technology employs infrared light to track a small disposable target that is placed on the user's forehead or glasses. HeadMouse Extreme provides a wide field-of-view and superior precision, supporting even graphics-intensive applications like drawing and computer aided design.
When used with an on-screen keyboard, HeadMouse provides head-controlled access to all of the full range of functions for both keyboard and mouse, and to thousands of standard personal computer applications including Internet access.
No-Hands Mouse
Completely foot-operated, thus it eliminates the wasteful "travel time" it takes to move the hand and eye from the keyboard and monitor, to the mouse and back. Computer users are realizing up to 30 percent increase in efficiency!
Avoid carpal tunnel syndrome associated with desktop mice. The No-Hands Mouse virtually eliminates stress on the delicate hand-wrist area by moving mouse control to the feet! The No-Hands Mouse eliminates wasteful, repetitive "keyboard-to-mouse" hand movements. With the No-Hands Mouse, you can have complete control of the cursor without having to take your hands off the keyboard, or your eyes off the monitor.
Head Tracking Mouse
Head Tracking technology is a device transmitting a signal from atop the computer monitor (or laptop), and tracking a reflector placed on the user's head or eyeglasses.
A mouse alternative as this allows the person control over the movement of the cursor; using only the movement of his head.
Once calibrated, the movement of the user's head relates to what direction the onscreen cursor will travel. Turning head left; directs mouse to move left. Turning head right; directs the mouse to move right. Nodding head downward; directs mouse to move down the screen. Nodding head upward; directs the mouse to move up the screen.
A mouse alternative this only provides the individual control over mouse movements. It does NOT provide the mouse functions such as a mouse "click".
Another useful program for head tracking systems known as Dwell Select, provides the user to perform a mouse "click" and "drag-lock" functions.
Simply stated, Dwell Select are assistive programs. When the cursor is stationary for a predefined time (1 second...2 seconds...etc) the Dwell Select will then perform an assigned mouse function.
Trackball
The BIGtrack has a 3 inch trackball which makes it the largest trackball available. The large ball requires less fine motor control than a standard trackball BIGtrack is ruggedly built.
It has a left and a right mouse click button located behind the trackball to avoid unwanted mouse clicks. The BIGtrack also allows for 2nd Mouse Connection both the BIGtrack and a second mouse can be connected allowing simultaneous participation. The bright large 3 inch trackball helps to make mouse movements easy and accurate. While the oversized buttons make mouse clicks simple for those with poor motor control. For even more access the BIGtrack is available in a switch adapted version.
Blind and visually impaired
A Screen Readersoftware application reads aloud information displayed on a computer monitor screen. The screen reader reads aloud text within a document, and it also reads aloud information within dialog boxes and error messages. Screen Readers also read aloud and menu selections, graphical icons on the desktop. Recent upgrades are much better reading aloud information on the World Wide Web.
Screen Magnification software enlarges the viewing area of a computer monitor display.
Magnification levels are measured in power levels. Such has 2x (2 power), and can go as high a level as 16x magnification.
There are software applications that have features that include screen magnification,
screen reader, and text reader.
Finally, there are applications that use a flatbed scanner and software called OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for in- putting printed (hard copy) information into the computer to be read aloud and/or magnified using the above mentioned software applications.
Sip-N-Puff, Mouth controlled Joysticks
People with quadriplegia may find these systems to be a simple and effective way to control movement of the mouse, and mouse features as button clicking.
Movement of the mouse is similar to that of using a "Mouthstick". Movement of the on screen mouse or cursor is relative to what direction the joystick is directed. For example, movement of the stick to left; directs the mouse to left side of monitor screen. Movement of stick downward, will move the mouse down the monitor screen.
Mouse button clicking is accomplished when a user Sips or Puffs into the joystick, similar to that of a straw used for drinking fluids.
Magic Wand Keyboard
A Miniature Computer Keyboard and Mouse for People with Disabilities
Needs No Strength, No Reach, No Dexterity, Just the Slightest Hand or Head Movement
The keyboard works with the slightest touch of a wand (hand-held or mouth stick). It requires absolutely no force. The mouse works exactly like a standard mouse, with every function built in, but needs no hand dexterity.
The Magic Wand Keyboard allows disabled people with limited or no hand movement to access any IBM or Apple Macintosh computer using only slight hand or head motion. It is the only computer keyboard, and mouse, that requires no strength and no dexterity.
Being disabled does not mean having to give up using a computer or the Internet. The Magic Wand Keyboard provides full keyboard and mouse capability so that anyone with a disability can use a computer and the Internet with ease.
Quick Glanceby EyeTech Digital Systems, Inc.
Camera mounted on computer monitor is focused on user's eye.
Quick Glance determines where user is looking--the gaze point Curser is placed at the gaze point.
"Mouse clicks" are done with a slow eye blink, an eye dwell, or a hardware switch.
FreeSwitch Max The FreeSwitch Max activates AC appliances with direct selection using the keypad or external switches. The FreeSwitch Max can auditorily scan through four 5 second messages. Messages are heard through the built-in speaker or through headphones. Positive, inverse and step scanning are available with a variable scan rate. With auditory scanning, when the FreeSwitch Max plays the phrase "radio on", the operator could press the keypad or their switch to select that response, which then would cause the radio to turn on.
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