Page 135 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

Chapter 5 • Alternative Access Technologies 123

FIGURE 5-12 Use a separate switch via a USB Switch Interface to click the mouse button�

Adapted mice and pointing devices with switch sockets are available, or most USB
Switch Interfaces can generate a mouse click (Fig. 5-12).

Ross’s Case Study
Ross struggles to hold and move the standard computer mouse. He uses a USB joystick to
control the mouse pointer, but the buttons on the device are too small for him to target
accurately. He therefore uses a switch which is plugged into the joystick. Ross has athetoid
movements, and exerts considerable force on his equipment. The joystick and switch are
both secured to a Velcro tray, which is in turn secured to the desk.

Dwell Select

With Dwell Select, the user rests the pointer on the target for a short period of time – say
0.5 s – and then the program ‘clicks’ the button automatically. Dwell Select is available in
the Windows Onscreen Keyboard, as Dwell Control on MacOS or as additional software.
Chromebooks have a built-in option to automatically click when the mouse pointer stops
moving. Dwell Select is often provided as an access option within communication aids or
assistive technology software and apps.
Windows Dwell Select software:

• Dwell Clicker 2. 14
• Point n Click. 15

14 https://thinksmartbox.com/product/dwell-clicker/.
15 http://www.polital.com/pnc/.