Webstandards, Accessibility and Usability at Penn State

Users with limited mobility may need to rely less on on a mouse and more on keyboards, special trackballs and input devices such as speech recognition software. Use of floating menus or small icons can be problematic for these users.

Tools Needed

Mouse alternatives include special trackballs, "sip and puff" systems, joysticks controlled by the teeth, eye tracking devices, speech recognition input or keyboard only systems.

Accommodations Needed

Generally speaking it is easier to input a keystroke rather than a mouse click. Whenever possible a tool should be available through text links, text based wizards or a keyboard shortcut (e.g. in Flash)

If mouse click tools are implemented, make the targets larger (e.g. a whole phrase) rather than smaller (e.g. only an icon or symbol).

Note: You should not necessarily implement these through hidden KEYACCESS tags. This can disrupt the normal operation of assistive devices and screen readers. Keyboard accommodations should be overtly spelled out.

Example

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Hidden Audience for Impaired Mobility Accommodation

Anyone having difficulty using their GUI input device can be considered to have some form of mobility impairment. This includes:

1. Users on a screen reader may not be able to see an interface well enough to aim a mouse to a tool or button.
2. Users with carpal tunnel syndrome or some forms of arthritis in which manual dexterity is reduced or limits on mouse usage is imposed.
3. Anyone who sprains or breaks an arm, elbow, fingers or writs and will need to rely on mouse alternates for the duration of their injury.
4. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, essential tremor or others which cause loss of fine motor control.
5. Anyone learning to use a new mouse, trackball, joystick or other device (e.g. iPhone touch control).

Mobility Impairment Links

• WebAim Mobility Impairments
• ATRC Technical Glossary of Adaptive Technologies
• Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows - From Microsoft

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