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Welcome to the latest in this series of
newsletters focussing specifically on disability and special needs for
computer users. We will be dealing
here with the issue on having arthritis.
CONTENTS
1. Using Computers and Arthritis
2. Hints and Tips
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1. Using
Computers and Arthritis
When an arthritis sufferer surfs the Net, it is certainly no fun when
every click of the mouse brings pain.
Just sitting at a computer for a long time can cause knee and hip
joints to stiffen and ache. But
whether such a person uses a computer for work or fun, there are ways to make the job less
painful.
The most common difficulties in using computers occur
from restricted mobility in hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders and neck. A
typical example is pain and swelling in the wrist caused by long periods of
keyboard and mouse use.
Not everyone experiences the same level of pain or
discomfort when using a computer and so there is no ready-made universal
solution available. There are,
however, several differing devices and software that are available, that can
offer considerable relief to arthritis sufferers.
Problem 1: The user has trouble using a standard mouse.
Often gripless computer mouse can be the answer - this removes
the constant muscular tension required to grip a computer mouse and untwists
the wrist to use with one hand,
One such
mouse is the AirObic Mouse. It removes Static Posture, a working
position that keeps muscles tensed, which is now associated with the
development of hand injuries in computer users. It is the only mouse that allows you to
work in what ergonomists call a Functional Neutral
Position.
Available in right- and left-handed versions in white or black, it has a USB connector and is both PC or Mac compatible.
(Airobic pic
here)
Problem 2: The user is
unable to use an ergonomic mouse:
Here, if
there is easier movement in a person’s arm, they might find it easier to use
a joystick mouse. The EasiTrax
Joystick represents a major advance in the design of pointing
devices for those with special needs.
Light, easy to use and requiring minimal hand movement to operate,
EasiTrax combines the benefits of both rollerballs and joysticks in one
single affordable device.
This
innovative joystick features three multi-function buttons with tactile and
visual feedback offering increased usability without cluttering up the
joystick with lots of extra buttons.
Features
of the EasiTrax include:
- One touch drag lock for easy dragging and dropping
- One touch scroll lock for quick and easy page navigation
- Five pointer speeds making the EasiTrax suitable for experienced users and
those just starting out with a pointing device
- Visual and tactile feedback
- USB connector with PS2
adapter
The EasiTrax is suitable for learners of all ages and its simple plug and go
setup means it is ready to use in seconds.
(Easitrax
pic here)
Problem 3: Clicking the mouse is the problem
If the mouse can be moved but the knuckles are too sore to allow
comfortable clicking on the buttons there are a number of software programs
which reduce or remove the need to click the mouse buttons. All these programs work using dwell-click
techniques: when the mouse has been static in a particular position for long
enough (usually just a second or two), the click (or double click) is
performed for you. The Nib Clickless Software which is a program
associated with the AirObic mouse, allows you to choose what action you
require – left click, right click, double click and then that becomes the
action performed when the mouse is static.
Gentlemouse is slightly different in
that it offers the full range of actions – left click, right click or double
click as a pop-up.
For a trial version of the Nib software see
Or for a trial version of Gentlemouse see
Problem 4: The arthritis is
too severe to allow any sort of mouse to be used:
Here, it
can be possible to connect the computer to a footpad that operates like a
mouse. This means that the person’s foot does the clicking instead of their
fingers.
There is no one standard piece of equipment to do this. Instead, it very much depends on the
individual.
Alternatively for
complete hands free computing you may wish to consider voice recognition
software. The accuracy of voice
recognition software has improved considerably over the last few years
although it does require perseverance at the early stages. If you would like to discuss the options
with us in more detail, please feel free to call us on 0845 644 1712.
Problem 5: Weak/sore wrists
or arms in general
There are supports to
provide elevation, support, comfort and functionality ranging from mouse mats
to keyboard wrist supports.
a) One solution is to
add comfort and support to alleviate pressure points on the wrist area when
working at your PC or laptop. A Gel Mouse
Mat could help.
These are designed for
maximum comfort to alleviate wrist problems and help prevent RSI and carpal
tunnel syndrome. This soft gel mouse
mat promotes comfort and support and is covered with smooth high quality lycra and offers a non-slip
base.
(Gel Mouse Mat pic here)
For
people who find it uncomfortable to use their mouse at a desk, another
possibility is a special knee mouse mat or K-Mat. It allows you to
work with your mouse on your knee in a more relaxed and productive way.
Knee-based
mouse mats are great for modern applications. These allow users to distance
themselves from the screen particularly as screens are steadily increasing in
size. So you can now sit back, relax and issue commands by mouse. With a normal mouse mat on the desk, the
user has to stretch the arm out and this soon induces strain and
fatigue. With knee mouse mats, you
achieve naturally a posture that ergonomists have
been advising for years. The upper arm
is relaxed and hanging vertically at the side, the forearm is at a right
angle to the upper arm and the wrist is straight in line with the forearm.
All are strain free positions.
(K-Mat
pic here0
Problem 6: Pain and swelling in the wrists from stretching
when using a mouse and keyboard for long periods.
A common source of
trouble for intensive computer users is the stretching required to access the mouse.
This has become more serious with new software needing frequent or
almost continuous mouse use. Holding a
mouse usually requires stretching to the right or left and then gripping the
mouse between thumb and little finger to move it and then more strongly to
hold it in place while the index finger operates the action button. Central pointing devices remove the need to
stretch and grip by allowing you to control the mouse from a position
immediately in front of the keyboard.
The mouse itself can take the form of a rollerball, touchpad or rollerbar.
The rollerbar is a cylindrical device which controls the
mouse movement by rolling it forwards, backwards or pushing it to either
side. No stretching or gripping is required
and the cylinder can be easily moved with the top part of the middle
fingers. The cylinder or rollerbar mechanism is fixed and is positioned in front
of the keyboard.
The following are
examples of Central Pointing Devices
http://www.adapt-it.co.uk/browse_results.asp?product_category=Mice+-+Central+Pointing+Device&field=allwords&product_disability=
http://www.adapt-it.co.uk/browse_results.asp?product_category=Keyboards+-+With+Integral+Mouse&field=anywords&product_disability=
The keyboard shown is a Maltron Dual Handed 3D Trackball
Keyboard
(Maltron 3D with
rollerball pic here)
There are many possibilities
for alleviating discomfort or pain caused by using a computer. Space has only allowed us to show you a few
of the possibilities. Please contact us to arrange a full assessment.
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2. HINTS AND TIPS
Mouse Keys
MouseKeys is designed for people
who have difficulty using a mouse for whatever reason and to use keyboard
keys instead. MouseKeys allows you to
use the numeric keypad to control the mouse pointer. If you want to use the numeric keypad for
data entry as well as for navigation, you can set the MouseKeys to be
activated by pressing NUM LOCK.
To turn ON MouseKeys
1. From the Control
Panel open Accessibility Options
2. .On the Mouse tab, under MouseKeys, select the Use MouseKeys check box.
To turn OFF MouseKeys
1. From the Accessibility
Options, Mousekeys
(as described above) clear the Use
MouseKeys check box.
To turn ON MouseKeys using Keystrokes
1. Press Left ALT + Left SHIFT
+ NUM LOCK.
2. In the MouseKeys message dialog box, press SPACEBAR to clear the Turn Off
keyboard shortcut for this accessibility feature check box.
3. Press TAB,
and then press ENTER.
If MouseKeys does not turn on using the keystrokes above, follow the
steps below.
1. Press the Windows logo key + R to display the
Run dialog box.
2. Type access.cpl and
press ENTER.
3. Press CTRL+TAB until the Mouse tab is
selected.
4. To select Use
MouseKeys, press SPACEBAR.
5. Press TAB twice to select OK, and then press ENTER.
How to use MouseKeys
1. To Left Click, press 5 on your numeric keypad.
2. To Double-Click,
press the plus sign (+) on your
numeric keypad.
3. To Right-Click,
press the minus sign (-) on your
numeric keypad,
4. To switch back to standard clicking, press slash (/) on your numeric keypad.
To Drag by using MouseKeys
1. Use the buttons on the numeric keypad to drag and
drop objects.
2. To move the pointer over the object you want to move
or over the area you want to move to, press the arrow keys on your numeric
keypad.
3. To hold down the mouse button, press the INSERT key on your numeric keypad.
4. To release the mouse button, press the DELETE key on your numeric keypad.
There is more help to be found by accessing
the Windows Help and Support Centre by clicking on the Start Menu, turning on ‘Help
and Support Centre and selecting Index
and typing MouseKeys’
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