Development of a computer input system for people with disabilities using a commercial mouse and switches.
OBJECTIVE
To help people with physical disabilities to effectively utilize commercial pointing devices to operate computers. This study develops a novel method to realize transferring single-direction physical movement into complete mouse functions.


METHODS
The proposed system adopts a redesigned software mouse driver that adopts special switches to change the functionality of the mouse.


RESULTS
Three people with disabilities were recruited to test the feasibility of this system. Experimental results demonstrate that this method effectively enables people with disabilities to operate computers.


CONCLUSIONS
In summary, the use of software technology makes this system low-cost, flexible, easy to maintain, and compatible with all standard interfaces of commercial input devices. The proposed system allows people with disabilities to use their remaining functional abilities to operate a computer.
Shih
Ching-Hsiang
CH
Department of Special Education, National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan, Republic of China. schee@mail.ndhu.edu.tw
Shih
Ching-Tien
CT
D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D016287:Computer Peripherals; D003199:Computer Systems; D003201:Computers; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D012984:Software; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface