<div>Hi Mike,</div>
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<div>Prior to my career as an ATP, I was a photographer and I worked with PhotoShop and some other less vigorous photo software programs. One thing that I experienced was the need to perform some fine detailing actions which is touchey with a mouse without user issues- how many times when I was so close and needed to back step because my mouse action 'messed up' <smile></div>
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<div>As an ATP, I am now on my second touch tablet computer, the fujitsu 3400 was my first and the HP Pavillion is my newer system. They are functional as mouse alternative for many things but I am not sure how they will address the need for the detailed actions required for photo software. When you use a stylus -the fujitsu required the stylus and/or a fingernail- to mimica the mouse activation/actions. The HP is more responsive to the fingertip (great for AAC software/mouse emulation) and does not require a stylus for basic mouse options; the stylus is avialable and useful for writing and other more detailed computer tasks.</div>
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<div>My concern would be related to the girls ability to hold the stylus without touching another part of the screen with an arm or shirt sleeve, etc. - which would move the cursor to the contact site. This might require that she hold her arm above the screen with the possible need of an arm support to address fatigue, etc.</div>
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<div>Prior to purchasing my tablet, , I was able to play with it at the store (Fry's, Best Buy - most stores have tablets on display). She can explore using the stylus and her fingernail and see if she has the fine motor skills as well as the ability to hold her arm in a positon above/away from possible contact areas on the screen. </div>
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<div>Also, if she is receiving OT services, check to see if the actions required might cause negative reactions - and maybe even more fatigue.</div>
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<div>Hope this helps a little.</div>
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<div>Regards,</div>
<div>Nettie Fischer, ATP</div>
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<div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Feb 3, 2009 at 2:59 PM, Mike Gibson <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:mikegibson@boisestate.edu">mikegibson@boisestate.edu</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid">Hi Everyone,<br><br>I am working with a student this semester who has issues using a<br>conventional mouse do to Carpal Tunnel and Fibromyalgia. She is<br>
enrolled in a photography class this term which requires students to<br>use photo editing software. She is having problems with the fine mouse<br>movements to properly edit the photos and other related activities.<br><br>
I have been reading about touch tablets and their use for drawing,<br>painting, and handwriting on a PC. Has anyone had experience using<br>these devices as a mouse alternative? If so what challenges were their?<br>Also any information on brands would be helpful as well.<br>
<br>Thank you in advance.<br><br><br><br>Mike Gibson<br>Assistive Technology Coordinator<br>Boise State University<br>1910 University Dr.<br>Boise, ID 83725-1375<br>Phone: (208) 426-1583<br>Fax: (208) 426-3785<br>Email: <a href="mailto:mikegibson@boisestate.edu">mikegibson@boisestate.edu</a><br>
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</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Nettie T. Fischer, ATP<br>Assistive Technology Practitioner<br>nettiet, ATP Consultants<br><a href="http://www.nettietatpconsultants.com">www.nettietatpconsultants.com</a><br>
[916] 704-1456<br>