Development of a computer input system for people with disabilities using a commercial mouse and switches
Ching‐Hsiang Shih, Ching-Hsiang Shih, Ching-Tien Shih, Ching-Tien Shih · Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology · 2009
PURPOSE: 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. METHOD: 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.