title: Development of an integrated pointing device driver for the disabled.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To help people with disabilities such as those with spinal cord injury (SCI) to effectively utilise commercial pointing devices to operate computers. This study proposes a novel method to integrate the functions of commercial pointing devices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Utilising software technology to develop an integrated pointing device driver (IPDD) for a computer operating system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proposed IPDD has the following benefits: (1) it does not require additional hardware cost or circuit preservations, (2) it supports all standard interfaces of commercial pointing devices, including PS/2, USB and wireless interfaces and (3) it can integrate any number of devices. The IPDD can be selected and combined according to their physical restriction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IPDD is a novel method of integrating commercial pointing devices. Through IPDD, people with disabilities can choose a suitable combination of commercial pointing devices to achieve full cursor control and optimise operational performance. In contrast with previous studies, the software-based solution does not require additional hardware or circuit preservations, and it can support unlimited devices. In summary, the IPDD has the benefits of flexibility, low cost and high-device compatibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Education, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ching-Hsiang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Ching-Tien
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Shih
mesh_terms: D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D016287:Computer Peripherals; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D012984:Software; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*