Upper Extremity Limitations

In this section, we will discuss problems related to:

Problem Strategy/Solution
Reaching all of the keys on a keyboard
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Minimize required reach

Eliminate required reach

Moving the mouse around on the table
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Minimize required reach

Pressing down on the buttons on the keyboard or mouse
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Reduce or eliminate activation force

Targeting the desired key (only)
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Enlarge or differentiate targets

Reduce sensitivity of controls

  • Use FilterKeys / RepeatKeys to reduce unintentional keystrokes
    [Microsoft info link]
Hitting two keys at the same time
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Eliminate bi-manual control

  • StickyKeys allows multiple-key commands to be entered sequentially instead of simultaneously
    [Microsoft info link]
Typing at the required rate
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Reduce number of keys that must be hit

Typing / mousing (multiple issues)
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Eliminate hands use


This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0622885.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.