RSS FeedA Better Computer Mouse Cursor for the Disabled??17 April 2011
Photo: University of WashingtonA pointing magnifier uses a large circular cursor instead of the traditional arrow pointerShare ThisDiggYahoo! BuzzFacebookdel.icio.usStumbleUponRelated ArticlesBrain-Computer Interfaces Could Mean More Freedom for the DisabledLooking to Robots and Other Technology to Improve Health Care
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This is the VOA Special English Technology Report.
Using a computer mouse or trackball can be a little tricky. You choose the object you want and move it to where you want it, only to have it end up in a different position. This happens to all of us sometimes, and we think little of it. But for people who have a difficult time controlling their movements, this little navigational issue can be a really big problem.
Now, researchers at the University of Washington have developed new cursors that make activating objects easier for people with motor disabilities. Jacob Wobbrock is an assistant professor at the University of Washington. He leads the AIM Research Group that developed the cursors.
Professor Wobbrock says mouse cursor operations are complex processes that assume things about computer users.
JACOB WOBBROCK: “For many people who have poor dexterity, the inability to control their fingers well, maybe pain in their wrists or hand, maybe arthritis - those assumptions of the average user, they don’t hold.” :16
The AIM Research Group has developed two cursors. One is called the Pointing Magnifier. Professor Wobbrock says it uses a large circular cursor instead of the traditional arrow pointer.
JACOB WOBBROCK: “And they can make that circle as big as they like.? So, if their motor impairments are fairly severe, they can make that circle large. :07
When the circle is positioned over the target, everything in the circle appears larger, almost filling the whole screen. This makes it easier for the user to click on the object.
JACOB WOBBROCK: “At this point the user sees the regular point cursor now, the little arrow, inside that exploded magnified view. And with that they can move and click on the target they want or they can begin to drag the target they want. :14
The AIM Research Group’s Pointing Magnifier software can be downloaded free from the University of Washington website. AIM is short for Accessible, Interactive and Mobile. Professor Wobbrock says the group’s main goal is to make information and computer systems more available and easier to use. And he says AIM’s work is not just for people with disabilities.
JACOB WOBBROCK: “Some of our projects have looked at what we call situational impairments, which are challenges to accessibility that are caused more by the situation or context that the computer user is in instead of maybe as we usually think of accessibility as having to do with someone’s own physical or cognitive state.” :29
Professor Wobbrock says an example of this might be using a small mobile device while walking.
And that's the VOA Special English Technology Report, written by June Simms. MP3s, podcasts and transcripts our reports are at voaspecialenglish.com. We're also on Facebook and Twitter at VOA Learning English. I'm Christopher Cruise.
Listen? Email? Print? Comments?Comments (16)17-04-2011Ricardothis research is a good effort to do the digital inclusion of people who have some type of physical restraint
18-04-2011Jean Melo(Brazil)Very very good this iniciative of the AIM Research Group.
18-04-2011AmyWu(China)I think inabilities can have a better lives in America than in China.
18-04-2011Winsorthank you, I'm for any thing that would improve people's life.
18-04-2011sam(china)good
18-04-2011Joruji(Japan)I am glad to know that researchers have developed apps to improve other people's interaction with computers, especially for people with disabilities. I have downloaded and used the Pointing Magnifier software, and I think it is also very helpful for people who have poor eyesight. Thank you, AIM and VOA.
18-04-2011drac(China)good, only those who are always thinking of what to invent, what is more useful or how can i help those out of inconvenience would make something meaningful or useful. no matter how small or trivial it is, it's great. cuz at least it must be a great start of some real great stuff.
18-04-2011windy(korea)That is good!
18-04-2011Sok Un(USA)It is very good.
18-04-2011Jose(Paraguay)important software so that everyone has the same ability to use computers. On the other hand I think it can be useful for everyone. AIM congratulations, congratulations for the article VOA
18-04-2011FENERBAH?E(ankara from turkey)good device for those suffering from this disease
18-04-2011cliffIt looks like a good tool for the people who has inability in controling their hand. What a good invention!
18-04-2011dapeng(china)Is it really useful effectively?
18-04-2011duy anh tranthis is a wonderful invention
18-04-2011Wilson(China)Science and technology make our life better, especially for people who have some mental or physical sickness.
18-04-2011Slava(CR)Empathy into situation of disabled people and help to them is great art and very deserving act.
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