Users in Control: A Fresh Perspective on Accessibility

For Ricky Buchanan, having a disability that affects both her ability to type and her vision is somewhat of a problem when it comes to computer access. The usual solutions for vision impairments use lots of different keyboard commands, while the usual solutions for not being able to type – or type much – involve on-screen keyboards and/or word prediction which both require vision. So, how does she deal with this dilemma? Ricky offers the info...

For Ricky Buchanan, having a disability that affects both her ability to type and her vision is somewhat of a problem when it comes to computer access. The usual solutions for vision impairments use lots of different keyboard commands, while the usual solutions for not being able to type – or type much – involve on-screen keyboards and/or word prediction which both require vision. So, how does she deal with this dilemma? Ricky offers the info...

EVE Online is the most recent massively multi­player online game to hit Mac OS X. Set in a vast online universe where players command their own starships, EVE promises players an enormous variety of gameplay options, giving no two individuals the same experience. For instance, one can journey the galaxy smuggling contraband from one sector to another, mine asteroid fields for profit, or even play the outlaw, killing other players in cold-blood. The depth of EVE is absolutely amazing; there’s definitely no questioning it. Yet, gameplay aside, is it playable for SwitchXS users? Michael Phillips has the answer...

EVE Online is the most recent massively multi­player online game to hit Mac OS X. Set in a vast online universe where players command their own starships, EVE promises players an enormous variety of gameplay options, giving no two individuals the same experience. For instance, one can journey the galaxy smuggling contraband from one sector to another, mine asteroid fields for profit, or even play the outlaw, killing other players in cold-blood. The depth of EVE is absolutely amazing; there’s definitely no questioning it. Yet, gameplay aside, is it playable for SwitchXS users? Michael Phillips has the answer...

Like the origin of the universe, when Joe Barnick received his first Macintosh it seemed like an insignificant speck in the grand scope of things, but would explode into a million endless possibilities filling out his world. Having Spinal Muscular Atrophy and avera­ging four hospitalizations a year forced him to be tutored at home from kindergarten through graduation. In high school, he was supplied with a computer, an Apple Macintosh, to enhance his education. Though ecstatic to be receiving a computer, Joe was a tad disappointed in the school’s choice as this was the darkest point in Macintosh history with Apple’s growing season seemingly coming to an end. However, little did he know the path he would be taken down, and the symbiotic relationship that would develop between him and this machine…

Like the origin of the universe, when Joe Barnick received his first Macintosh it seemed like an insignificant speck in the grand scope of things, but would explode into a million endless possibilities filling out his world. Having Spinal Muscular Atrophy and avera­ging four hospitalizations a year forced him to be tutored at home from kindergarten through graduation. In high school, he was supplied with a computer, an Apple Macintosh, to enhance his education. Though ecstatic to be receiving a computer, Joe was a tad disappointed in the school’s choice as this was the darkest point in Macintosh history with Apple’s growing season seemingly coming to an end. However, little did he know the path he would be taken down, and the symbiotic relationship that would develop between him and this machine…

With over twenty-three thousand products available for the Macintosh, if you look carefully you will discover a world of mainstream hardware and software serving accessibility needs better and costing less than most specialized “disability” aids. In this episode, Joe Barnick discusses two invaluable off the shelf solutions that play integral roles in hoe work and play.

With over twenty-three thousand products available for the Macintosh, if you look carefully you will discover a world of mainstream hardware and software serving accessibility needs better and costing less than most specialized “disability” aids. In this episode, Joe Barnick discusses two invaluable off the shelf solutions that play integral roles in hoe work and play.

While some people with disabilities can operate their computers with conventional mice, joysticks or trackballs, head tracking devices allow individuals who cannot move their hands to control the cursor through head movement. IR (infra-red) optical head tracking devices track a reflecting dot, the target, stuck on the userʼs glasses or forehead. Mouse clicks are performed with a switch or by dwell clicking, a software feature like that found in KeyStrokes on-screen keyboard whereby the user keeps the cursor steady in the position to be clicked. Before purchasing a particular head tracking device, check out Walter Pfrommer's experience testing the three most popular units on the market.

While some people with disabilities can operate their computers with conventional mice, joysticks or trackballs, head tracking devices allow individuals who cannot move their hands to control the cursor through head movement. IR (infra-red) optical head tracking devices track a reflecting dot, the target, stuck on the userʼs glasses or forehead. Mouse clicks are performed with a switch or by dwell clicking, a software feature like that found in KeyStrokes on-screen keyboard whereby the user keeps the cursor steady in the position to be clicked. Before purchasing a particular head tracking device, check out Walter Pfrommer's experience testing the three most popular units on the market.