Fine Motor

Alternative input devices are hardware or software solutions that allow users with a variety of impairments to access a computer in a different way. Alternative input devices allow the user to access a computer in whatever way works best for them such as using his/her feet, head, eye, mouth, breath, thumb, or a single finger. Some devices are activated by motion while others can be controlled with nerve or muscle signals, optical tracking, even brain activity and mind energy.

Alternative keyboards can be used by individuals with various impairments but are especially beneficial to individuals who experience pain and fatigue due to repetitive keyboard use. Because alternative keyboards come in many sizes and shapes, individuals with different body sizes and hand shapes, who are limited in fine motor manipulation, may benefit from using them. Alternative keyboards, sometimes called ergonomic keyboards or adjustable keyboards, may be fixed split keyboards, adjustable split, or contoured. Many increase typing comfort, and several can be positioned to accommodate individual preferences, including negative and positive tilt adjustments.

Products to assist with holding and using spray cans.

Tool wraps dampen vibrations at a wide range of frequencies. Tool wraps are ideal for hand and pneumatic tools. Individuals with limitations affected by hand vibration can wrap tools with material that lessens the effects of vibration from power tools, hammers, and other pneumatic devices.

Filing cabinets that have rotating drawers for more organization potential.

Book holders or book stands can be useful for individuals who need to hold a book open or view the pages of a text but find it difficult to do so because of hand, arm, shoulder, neck, or other limitations that effect the upper extremities. Book holders can be placed on a desk or surface and many can be elevated or positioned for easier viewing.

Easy to use cardboard cutting knives that retain a natural grip and wrist posture for individuals with poor hand movements.

Ergonomic and lightweight dental and surgical instruments are available for individuals with upper extremity limitations.

Individuals with neck, back, shoulder, and upper extremity limitations may benefit from using ergonomic hand and power tools. Ergonomic hand tool designs allow users to maintain neutral postures while minimizing wrist deviations. Users also have an easier time keeping shoulders relaxed by using lightweight tools. Mechanical stressors such as misaligned finger grooves, sharp edges, and single finger triggers should be avoided. Vibration from the tool should be minimized, and heavier tools can be suspended from tool balancers when possible. Spring loaded returns on tools such as scissors and pliers are also a part of good ergonomic design.

Ergonomic office equipment includes copyholders, monitor risers, keyboard trays, keyboard rests, and foot rests. Other equipment characterized as ergonomic are ergonomic or electric staplers, staple removers, scissors, and hole punches. Individuals with handling, fingering, and grasping restrictions resulting from cumulative trauma disorders can benefit from this equipment. Products in this area alleviate the repetitive motion common to many hand-intensive jobs.

Ergonomic knives are made to be easier to use by individuals with hand limitations.

Microscopes designed and built for ease of use and precision handling.

These include scissors with flexible designs for many different uses.

Expanded keyboards are typically flat and smooth. They are designed specifically to have larger keys. Most have a clear Mylar cover and many are waterproof.

Gloves with special material coated on the palm to increase gripping strength on most surfaces.

Devices that can monitor eye movements and instate them as movements on acomputer screen of a mouse or across a digital keyboard.

Mice and keyboard devices that are controlled by feet and foot pressure.

Filing trays can be modified to ensure easier access for employees with a variety of disabilities. Filing Trays can be customized with pull handles, organized by colors, and made to be mobile.

Gooseneck phone holders eliminate the need to hold the phone one’s ear. They can be attached to a desk or shelf and permits a user to rotate the phone to a comfortable position.

Attachments for handles used with walkers, canes and other supporting bars to prevent slippage and increase eay gripping.

Software for recognizing handwriting for use in text editing programs. Converts handwriten images into text files.

Computers can be controlled by alternative input devices that are guided by head movement.

Aids to assist individuals with independent living needs are available. These tools and devices enable people with various types of limitations to perform personal and household activities such as reaching, reading, writing, dressing, personal hygiene, walking, eating, cooking, cleaning, and gardening.

Miniature keyboards are smaller than a standard size keyboard but still contain all the keys and functioning needed to input information. They can be used by individuals with limited dexterity or one-handed typists. Miniature keyboards can be wired, wireless or Bluetooth, and flexible.

An on-screen keyboard, sometimes called a keyboard emulator, is a software program that displays a virtual keyboard on a computer screen. Users with can then "type" data using an alternative input device. The two most recent versions of Windows come with an on-screen keyboard option, which has basic capabilities. Directions vary with the type of operating system (OS). For information on how to activate your on-screen keyboard, visit the OS homepage.

One-handed software uses an ALTERNATE keyboard layout called the Dvorak system, (a keyboard layout that differs from "traditional keyboards") but reconfigures the keys for optimal one-handed use.

Following proper body mechanics (such as creating a neutral posture) when using a computer while sitting or standing can greatly reduce awkward postures, mitigate exposure to injury, and allow a worker to be more comfortable. People with and without limitation benefit from this knowledge of how to sit/stand, organize one's work, and minimize injury exposure. For more information on proper sitting and stand practices, see OSHA's Good Working Positions.

Controllable automated robotic arms that can move and grip.

Individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and learning impairments may have difficulty accessing computers. Traditionally, a computer user accesses a computer with a standard point and click mouse and a QWERTY keyboard (named for the top left-hand side of the rows). The computer takes the information that is inputted and processes it. Individuals with physical, sensory, or developmental limitations may not be able to use these standard input devices effectively and may benefit from using speech recognition. Standard computer input devices are keyboards made for typists who use two hands and ten fingers; speech recognition software is made for computer users with a variety of limitations, including individuals with no hand or finger movement.

Steering grips assist individuals with fine motor limitations in gripping and turning steering wheels.

A tongue mouse, in combination with an on screen keyboard can allow an individual with limitied limb movement and dexterity to operate a computer.

Tool balancers are devices engineered to offset tool weights. Springs or other tensioning devices are attached to tools, which counters the weight of the tools. Tool balancers are often used with in-line tools. Individuals with neck, back, shoulder, and cumulative trauma disorders to the upper extremities may benefit from tool balancers.

Typing and keyboarding can be difficult for individuals with fine motor limitations or limited dexterity in their hands. Products are available that assist individuals with using a keyboard and depressing the keys.

Equipment designed to perform the lifting, holding, and relocating of small weights while preventing potential damage to the material.

Word prediction software displays a list of words that typically follow the word just entered. Word completion software displays sample words after someone starts typing part of a word. Macro software allows users to complete several steps of a task in a few programmed keystrokes. Many software programs contain all of these options.

Writing aids are products designed to help individuals with limited hand strengths perform writing tasks. Writing aids can transfer the fine motor pinch grip, usually used to write, to gross motor arm movements. A low tech solution is to push a pencil though a Styrofoam ball and use gross motor movements to write. Individuals with cumulative trauma disorders to the upper extremities or individuals with other impairments such as arthritis or quadriplegia benefit from these aids.