BryanD said:
My father had a stroke and has lost a lot of mobility with his right hand.
Is there a program that can increase the target area for closing pages?
I thought maybe something where Ctrl brings up a bigger square to click. I
am no programmer but a simple(?) action like this would make life easier for
many.
Can anyone help?
Thanks, Bryan
I'm not physically disabled, but I was at the edge of tendonitis from
enthusiastic keyboarding a while back. I had to get the load off my
hands, especially my right hand, and especially the little finger -- it
does too much work. My problem is that I'm a fast typist (I have the
coordination of a musician), and I try to type as fast as I think: a
great way to hurt oneself. So, here's what I'd put on my box:
For an input device, I use a Glidepoint touch pad -- the _large sized_
version. I have a set of three Bilbo foot pedals. These aren't the
pedals that emulate the mouse, but can be programmed for any key on the
keyboard, as well as keyboard sequences (macros). Finally, I bought a
second number pad, which I put on the left side of the keyboard. This
offers a nice-sized alternative to get off the right pinky to hit
"Enter." These devices are sold either as adding machine pads for retail
checkouts and/or outboard number pads for laptops.
Things have changed since I set up that system:
- My particular number pad turned out to be very nastily set up relative
to the old DOS "interrupt" restrictions. It killed compatibility with
other things. However, newer and cheaper clones are available (see
above), and they now hook up as a keyboard -- easy.
- The foot pedals are still on my machine. However, this particular
product must be programmed from DOS. There may be newer pedals out there
that will talk with Windows and the Mac.
- I use the Touchpad every day. It's my input device of choice. I hate
mouses -- they give me shoulder pain.
Touchpads have been used seriously at the Center for Adaptive
Technology, in Berkeley, California. They've had most success with
certain disabilities by mounting the touchpad on a board so that the
client can use it sideways. I also picked up an accessory joystick to
replace the mouse from a disabled-specialty retailer. I'm not sure that
this is much of a help.
You should also know that there are retailers who specialize in computer
products for the disabled and they can be good resources.
Good luck.
Richard
