Design for Disability Access.

Poor or No Hand Movement.

Poor Hand Movement:

Our fully accessible web page design include full access for people with poor or no hand movements. 

It is not always possible to convert a web site to be fully accessible. 
When that is the case we suggest creating  text only versions optional web pages. 

Access may be as simple as a "text only" two word link at the top of 
each web page to it's text only equivalent.

Some tools for people with poor or no hand movement:

With poor hand movements the user may be able to use alternative devises such as the track ball shown here:   there are also a variety of different tools available such as: 

• One handed keyboards.

• Large key keyboards.

• Mini Keyboards.
  These work with just the slightest hand or head motion. It requires no strength or dexterity. The keyboard works with the slightest touch of a "wand" which can be hand held or used as a mouth stick. Here is a link to [link opens a new window] "The Magic Wand Keyboard".

• Overlays for large key keyboards.

• On Screen Keyboards.
  Keyboards that can be used with ANY Windows program. 
  The concept may be found in fighter planes, helicopters and ground vehicles. The system reduces the heads up and down motion from keyboard to screen and the resulting confusion it causes. 

Here are a couple of links to manufacturers of on screen keyboards.[link opens in new window] Onscreen / My-T-Soft AT, by Innovation Management Group, Inc.  and  [link opens a new window] WiViK, Prentke Romich Company.

No Hand Movement. Examples of some switches:

• Eye Gaze Systems - For anyone who cannot use a hand operated mouse.

  • a camera mounted on the computer monitor is focused on user's eye.

  • the camera determines where user is looking.

  • the gaze point curser is placed at the point the eye is looking at.

  • "mouse clicks" are done with a slow eye blink, an eye dwell, or a hardware switch.

• Switch Scanning -  Types of Switches:

  • Soft Switch, excellent switch for people with gross motor skills. 
    The switch is enclosed in foam and covered with a removable, washable velvet bag. Tactile and auditory feedback.
    

  • Pillow Switch Overview
    Activated by pressing the top foam surface. Suitable switch for head or cheek activation. Easy to fasten to a pillow or wheelchair cushion. Tactile and auditory feedback.
    

  • Sip/Puff Switch - The Sip/Puff switch is  a head mounted accessory used to actuate a two position switch by a simple sip or puff. It consists of:

    •  a head frame with attached mouth tube 

    • a switch box connected to the head frame by a second plastic tube. 

Sips and puffs are converted to switch closures inside the Switch Box. 
These switch events are made available on two connectors labeled "Sip" and "Puff."

Leaf Switch Activated by pressing lightly against the leaf in one direction. 
Comes with a removable 3" round foam pad. 
Has tactile and auditory feedback. Mounting required.

• Active Switches (battery powered) Allows for operation of a variety of communication devises with virtually any kind of body motion. Uses a small metal button to detect skin contact. The slightest touch can be detected using any part of the body. Operates by emitting a very low-powered infrared beam. 

• TouchFree Switch by Edmark
  The TouchFree Switch uses a combination of a digital n-video camera and switch software provides flexible and customizable click capabilities for users with limited ability to use traditional switches. It can be activated by a choice of large or small body movements. How it works. Point the camera at an arm, elbow, face or foot. Zoom in or out to capture small or large movements. Select an area in the on-screen video window, then move in or out of the box to trigger a mouse click. [link opens a new window] Riverdeep, sellers of the switch. or here is some info from IBM

• SCATIR by Artificial Language Laboratory.
  The Self-Calibrating Auditory Tone Infrared (SCATIR) Switch is an experimental multipurpose momentary-contact optical switch with auditory feedback designed for use by persons who experience difficulty in activating mechanical switches. It works by detecting a beam of reflected pulsed infrared light. It is suitable for use with a variety of control gestures, including eye-blink, eyebrow movement, finger movement, head movement, and facial muscle movement. Because it works on an optical principal, it can be activated at a distance. For a demonstration of SCATIR with [opens a new window] "Blink and Wink"

• P-Switch by Prentke Romich Company
  The  P-Switch is operated by small controlled muscle movements. It has adjustable sensitivity levels, and is commonly used in the wrist or eyebrow area.  [opens a new window] See the P-Switch.

Touch Screen. 

"Sticky Keys" and "Mouse Keys" optional functions in Windows may also be helpful to computer users with poor hand movements. StickyKeys (or latch key) allows users to press a key and then release it, then press the other key or keys without having to press and hold all simultaneously.
 to read more about this Windows function Please go to our  [link opens in new window] "Sticky and Mouse keys page  here.

 Apple also has a package called "Easy Access" which includes "Sticky Keys", "Mouse Keys" which control the mouse via the numeric keyboard,  "Slow Keys" enables the user to change the length of time it takes for a keystroke to be registered on the screen and "Text-to-Speech" which allows your computer to speak the alert messages that appear on the screen.

"Truly accessible websites need to be designed to not rely on the mouse." 

Useful Links: [link opens in new window] Ability Hub offers for sale most if not all of the devises mentioned above. Please note: We have no affiliation with Ability Hub and do not make recommendations,  the link is merely supplied as an example of a company that carries the products. Disclaimer.

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