A standard computer mouse can be difficult to use if you have motor problems. However, for some people, it may be sufficient to adapt the way you use it, including by: making more use of the keyboard adjusting how the mouse works including its speed and how the click – buttons operate using to make it easier to cut/copy and paste text or pictures. ‘drag lock’ – If you do need a different type of mouse, there are many alternatives. It is important to choose one that feels comfortable and easy to use. Possible options include: an ergonomic or vertical mouse to relieve strain on the hand and wrist – a bar mouse to eliminate the need to reach sideways – a trackball mouse to reduce wrist movement – a joystick with buttons for left, right and double clicks – a touchpad like those often found on laptops – a touchscreen monitor or computer. Using head (or eye) movement to control the pointer, together with an keyboard, can also be an effective solution if you have very little or no use of your hands. Our factsheet on Keyboard and mouse alternatives and adaptations also provides information on alternative ways of clicking. External switches, for example, can be operated in a variety of ways by using different parts of the body or a mouth tube. The factsheet also gives contact details for several specialist suppliers of assistive technology. Voice control Continuing advances in technology are enabling growing numbers of people to use voice control to operate their computer, tablet, smartphone or smart speaker. Using simple spoken commands, you can now quite easily: open and run different play music, videos and photo software and apps displays. produce and format documents make telephone and video and notes calls write and send texts and email get directions make calendar appointments stay connected through social and programme reminders media
A standard computer mouse can be difficult to use if you have motor problems. However, for some people, it may be sufficient to adapt the way you use it, including by: making more use of the keyboard adjusting how the mouse works – including its speed and how the click buttons operate using ‘drag lock’ – to make it easier to cut/copy and paste text or pictures. If you do need a different type of mouse, there are many alternatives. It is important to choose one that feels comfortable and easy to use. Possible options include: an ergonomic or vertical mouse – to relieve strain on the hand and wrist a bar mouse – to eliminate the need to reach sideways a trackball mouse – to reduce wrist movement a joystick – with buttons for left, right and double clicks a touchpad – like those often found on laptops a touchscreen monitor or computer. Using head (or eye) movement to control the pointer, together with an keyboard, can also be an effective solution if you have very little or no use of your hands. Our factsheet on Keyboard and mouse alternatives and adaptations also provides information on alternative ways of clicking. External switches, for example, can be operated in a variety of ways by using different parts of the body or a mouth tube. The factsheet also gives contact details for several specialist suppliers of assistive technology. Voice control Continuing advances in technology are enabling growing numbers of people to use voice control to operate their computer, tablet, smartphone or smart speaker. Using simple spoken commands, you can now quite easily: open and run different software and apps produce and format documents and notes write and send texts and email make calendar appointments and programme reminders play music, videos and photo displays. make telephone and video calls get directions stay connected through social media
Stroke%20and%20computing%20%28April%202018%29.docx