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Tablets</title></head><body>
<div>A couple of other points to add to Nettie's comments:</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>- Some tablet computer screens (such as on the ThinkPad X61 and
apparently the Fujitsu and HP Nettie's using) are able to respond to
both a stylus and a fingernail; others will only respond to a stylus,
which would eliminate the problem with something else touching the
screen. I also seem to recall that there's a way (at least on my
ThinkPad) to "turn off" the finger/fingernail detection and
only respond to a stylus.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>- For precision cursor movement in drawing programs or image
editing software, I usually just rely on using Mouse Keys, which gives
me single-pixel movement control of the cursor via the keyboard.
With Mouse Keys on, click the number keypad zero key to click and hold
the mouse button, then use the keys surrounding the 5 key to move the
cursor (and whatever it's dragging) in the appropriate direction.
Clicking the 5 or zero key releases the mouse button. (Find
Mouse Keys in the Accessibility control panel in Windows; Universal
Access preferences on a Mac.)</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Hope this helps.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>- Shelley Haven</div>
<div><br></div>
<div><br></div>
<div>At 3:20 PM -0800 2/3/09, Nettie Fischer wrote:</div>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>Hi Mike,</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>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></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>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.</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>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.</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>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.</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>Also, if she is receiving OT services,
check to see if the actions required might cause negative reactions -
and maybe even more fatigue.</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>Hope this helps a little.</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>Regards,</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>Nettie Fischer, ATP</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><br>
<br>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>On Tue, Feb 3, 2009 at 2:59 PM, Mike
Gibson <<a
href="mailto:mikegibson@boisestate.edu">mikegibson@boisestate.edu</a>>
wrote:<br>
<blockquote>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</blockquote>
<blockquote>Email: <a
href="mailto:mikegibson@boisestate.edu">mikegibson@boisestate.edu</a><br
>
<br>
<br>
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</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><br>
<br>
<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</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Athen mailing list<br>
Athen@athenpro.org<br>
http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org</blockquote>
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