Computer Mouse Alternatives

Students with disabilities can face a number of obstacles when using a computer. Students with physical disabilities who have trouble with fine motor control or vision impairments can face challenge with controlling a standard mouse. There are a number of mouse alternatives that can be use to remove barriers for these students. All of these options allow for alternate methods of moving the mouse pointer and buttons or switched to perform typical mouse functions like right or left clicking.

Alternative mouse options:

Trackball: Trackballs are composed of a stationary base with a moving ball. The mouse pointer on the screen moves in response to the rotation of the ball. There are a number of varieties of trackballs that can meet different student’s abilities, including use of fingers, palms or feet to control them.

Joysticks: Joysticks are composed of a stationary base and a moveable handle that is perpendicular to the base. These are a great solution for students who have limited control of their hands and fingers. These joysticks can be adapted to meet the needs of the individual students. Adaptations include special handles, a click lock feature so the click button doesn’t need to held down, and button guards.

Touch Screens: Touch screens allow students to perform actions by a direct touch of the computer screen. These are a great option for students with severe disabilities or students on the autism spectrum.

Head-pointing Systems: These systems allow students to control the mouse pointer with movement of their head. The device uses a head communicator (on a headband, hate, headset etc) and a receiver on the computer. These are a great option for students who students who cannot use their hands to operate a system but have good head control.

Eye-Gaze Systems: These systems track the movement of a student’s eyes to direct the mouse pointer. This option is great for students who have no reliable muscle movements, but have voluntary control of their eyes.