There are free accessibility features built into both Mac and Windows operating systems that can help a person with Parkinson’s access the computer with more speed and accuracy. For some people with Parkinson’s, these arm rests are also a great way to provide stabilization, which can increase accuracy with the keyboard and mousing.įreebies-Built-in Computer Accessibility Features The ErgoRest Arm supports, as Scott discussed in his blog last week, are a great device for people who have pain in their arms, neck, and shoulders. My favorite features are rollerbar left-clicking and being able to keep my fingers on the keys while mousing with my thumbs a skill I inadvertently developed over the years. I have personally used this mouse for approximately 10 years to prevent a repetitive stress injury. Speed/accuracy can also be increased because of one or more of these features: rollerbar clicking, use of two hands for mousing, being able to switch control between fingers and hands when fatigue sets in, and mousing with one hand and clicking the left-click button with the other. The rollerbar can also be pushed for a left click, which can be fine-tuned to require more or less force or completely turned off with the latest version, Rollermouse Red.įor people with Parkinson’s, this mouse can improve stability and decrease unnecessary movements because all required movement for the keyboard/mouse is central to the body versus 6-12 inches away.
The main mode of control comes from moving a rollerbar side-to-side, up/down, and diagonally, giving you the same smooth, full screen access as any standard mouse or trackball. This pointing device is stationed at the bottom of your keyboard and accessed with anything from one finger to two full hands.
All three versions of the Rollermouse look nothing like any standard mouse, but more like a fancy wrist rest with buttons. The Rollermouse is a unique computer mouse that, in my opinion, you have to try, or at least watch a video of, in order to fully understand how it works.
There are several places to obtain custom keyguards for keyboards and keyboard/keyguard combinations. This reduces typing mistakes and provides a great place to rest when fatigue sets in. They allow one to rest their hands right on top of the keyboard and access keys by placing their fingers through each hole. These handy devices are pieces of metal or plastic with holes cut out for each key. If you have tremors or weakness in your hands/arms, keyguards are “key” to accessing the keyboard accurately. If you have questions about these devices, other AT for Parkinson’s, or equipment rentals or demos, contact us at 1-80. The following are a few popular products and free computer built-ins that IPAT has recommended to help people with Parkinson’s access a computer with more success. In addition, having a secondary method of computer access besides voice recognition is beneficial, as sometimes Dragon just stops listening!
Voice recognition software such as Dragon Natural Speaking is a very popular recommendation and works for many people, but it may be too complex for some. A blind person can go to those theaters, request descriptive video, put on the headphones, and get a description of what is happening onscreen while listening to the dialogue.For many people with Parkinson’s Disease, assistive technology (AT) for computer access is high on the list of needed accommodations.
There is also a technology called descriptive video that certain movie theaters have. They can’t watch movies, but they can listen to them. People who are blind or have extreme low vision use assistive technologies, such as screen readers (e.g., JAWS or NVDA), to read aloud the content and actions on web pages.
Quick, Manual Tests for Web Accessibility Fundamentals Alternate Text for Graphics. How do you tell if a website is accessible to the blind? Each key represents one of six Braille dots, which will form letters and symbols when tapped in combination. The keyboard, called TalkBack, uses a six-key layout.
Google announced on Thursday that it now offers a Braille keyboard integrated directly into Android. Desktop and laptop computers use screen readers.
People who are blind just have different ways of accessing these devices.