Alternative Access

To successfully use a mouse requires a combination of fine motor skills and an ability to recognise and understand the relationship between moving the mouse and what is happening on the screen.

Using a mouse correctly can take time to develop and requires the user to:

Hold, position and move the mouse (normally on a small portion of a desk).
Identify items on the screen.
Perform single or double clicks (and occasionally right-clicking) on a variety of items on the screen.
Hold the mouse in position while carrying out different actions.
Click, hold and drag items on the screen, e.g. images and icons.
Track the mouse cursor as you move your hand - good hand-eye coordination.
Relate to what is happening on the screen when the mouse moves and activates items.

Using a normal or standard mouse can therefore pose many problems for pupils with additional support needs. Not all mice are built the same!

Mouse alternatives

Small and compact mice

Compact mice may be suitable for children and people with small hands, or when there is limited space.

Ergonomic mice

Ergonomic mice are designed to be more comfortable to hold and use.

Trackballs can be easier to control than mice because they only require finger, thumb or hand movements - you don't have to move your hand/arm. Some people who struggle to use a mouse accurately find that they can use a trackball. Trackballs can require less movement so they can be good for people with limited movement or strength, due to for example muscular dystrophy. Trackballs don't move, so they require less area - good for wheelchair trays or for placing on your leg or cushion.

Some trackballs have sockets for plugging in switches, for people who have difficulty using the buttons.

Joysticks

Joysticks are available in a whole range of sizes. Many people with motor challenges due to athetoid cerebral palsy, for example, who really struggle with mouse or trackball, can use a joystick to control a pointer on screen. A joystick is generally slower, but can be a lot more accurate.

Conversely, small joysticks can require very little movement or strength and so can be an option for people with limited physical strength.

Joysticks can be controlled by hand, finger, head, chin, mouth and foot.

Different handles and knobs may be available for joystick.

Switches can often be plugged into joysticks in place of the buttons.

Trackpads

Trackpads are built into most laptops and can also be obtained as separate units, for controlling a computer or tablet. Trackpads require little energy or power and so can be useful for people with, for example, muscular dystrophy. They can be useful when the trackpad has to be positioned to enable access.

Head-operated mouse

With a head-operated mouse, you move your head from left to right and up and down to direct the pointer on screen. There are also joysticks that are designed to be controlled using mouth or lips.

Clicking is done with a separate switch or 'dwell click' where the user holds the pointer still for a short time and the software clicks automatically.

Eye-gaze

An eye-gaze camera lets you direct the pointer with your eyes. See our Eye Gaze pages for more information.

Useful features to look for in pointing devices

The features of alternative mice differ between makes and models and useful options to consider (depending on needs of the user) include:

Click Drag - click drag holds the mouse pointer down (no need to click and hold) so you can click and drag items around the screen, i.e. drag and drop pictures.
Button guards for joysticks and trackballs - left and right click buttons (and drag lock button) recessed below a guard to support fine motor skills.
Variable speed settings - customise the pointer speed, slow, medium etc.
Different handles for joysticks to aid control, e.g. T-bar, large foam ball.
Colour coded buttons for joysticks and trackballs (left/right/drag) lock to prevent accidental clicks.
Direction lock - locks the joystick into horizontal/vertical movement.
Natural hand rest.
Jack socket inputs for switches.

Adjusting the mouse / pointing device

Sometimes making a few simple adjustments to the way the mouse operates can make all the difference,

for example:

Slowing down the mouse speed to help coordination.
Slowing down the double click make clicking easier for people with motor difficulties.
Making the mouse left handed.
Making the mouse pointer larger to make it easier to see.
Display pointer trails to help track the mouse pointer.
Show the location of the pointer using the Ctrl Key to help find the cursor.
Enable MouseKeys - control the mouse using the keyboard's number pad.

Windows

To adjust the mouse settings in Windows, go to: Settings> Ease of Access>Mouse.

Mac OSX

To adjust the mouse settings on a Mac, go to: System Settings> Mouse.

For more information on adjusting the mouse settings see AbilityNet's 'Making your mouse easier to use.'

Chromebooks

To adjust the touchpad settings on a Chromebook, go to: Settings> Device>Touchpad.

iPads / iPhone

iPads have extensive options for changing the way the touch screen works, for example to filter out accidental taps, or to provide touch access to the iPad's buttons and functions. To adjust the touch settings on an iPad go to Settings>Accessibility>Touch.

Most USB pointing devices can work with an iPad and Bluetooth mice can also be used. To adjust the mouse settings in iOS, go to: Settings> Accessibility>Pointer Control.

What if I can't click mouse buttons?

Even with the aid of an alternative mouse some people still have difficulties selecting and clicking items on the screen.

There are however different ways that a mouse click can be replicated:

Use MouseKeys with your keyboard to click and drag.
Use an external switch with mouse, trackball or joystick
Use a software program to create automated right and left mouse clicks:
- Dwell Clicker 2 by SmartboxAT
- Dragger Software by Liberator
- FreeMouseClicker (Free)
- Point n Click (Free)

Learning to use a mouse

Developing mouse skills, particularly for younger children with additional support needs, can take time, e.g. developing targeting skills, selecting and clicking actions.

There are a number of 'learning to use a mouse' games which can help to boost confidence and develop basic skills and understanding.

Games such as IT Mouse Skills offer colourful and engaging visual graphics, auditory prompts, and cause and effect activities to help young children develop confidence and understanding of mouse clicks and the relationship between the interactions of a mouse and screen activity.

Ian Bean's Mouse Skills resources offers learning modules, level descriptors, training videos and other materials to support the development of pointing skills including mouse, rollerball, joystick and head pointing systems

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