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:
Using a normal or standard mouse can therefore pose many problems for pupils with additional support needs. Not all mice are built the same!
Compact mice may be suitable for children and people with small hands, or when there is limited space.
.png)
Ergonomic mice are designed to be more comfortable to hold and use.
.png)
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.
.png)
Some trackballs have sockets for plugging in switches, for people who have difficulty using the buttons.
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.
.png)
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.
.png)
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.
.png)
An eye-gaze camera lets you direct the pointer with your eyes. See our Eye Gaze pages for more information.
The features of alternative mice differ between makes and models and useful options to consider (depending on needs of the user) include:
Sometimes making a few simple adjustments to the way the mouse operates can make all the difference,
for example:
To adjust the mouse settings in Windows, go to: Settings> Ease of Access>Mouse.
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.'
To adjust the touchpad settings on a Chromebook, go to: Settings> Device>Touchpad.
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.
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:
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
Newsletter: join thousands of other peopleOnce a month we'll send you an email with news, research and thoughts, as well as training courses and free webinars you may wish to attend.
Our social media sites - YouTube, Twitter and Facebook