Alternative Mices

Assistive Tech for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (2022)

OVERVIEW

Summary

We worked under PAPER CRANE LABS for Seva In Action. SIA is an NGO working for persons with disabilities to provide them with job opportunities to help them sustain an independent lifestyle. One of the problem statements given to us was about trainees with Intellectual disability having trouble interacting with computers. I was able to develop and test out a few affordable cheap hacks for solving this problem.

PROCESS

PRIMARY RESEARCH

Visiting Seva In Action

We visited Seva in Action to understand the working of the organization. SIA's work is divided into 2 parts. The first one is training people with disabilities to do their day-to-day chores independently. Trainees start feeling confident and empowered to perform their day-to-day activities without relying much on others. The second part of training is a vocational course. Trainees are taught one activity based on their interests and talent. SIA teaches courses like arranging tables, managing cloth storage, excel software, Craft, etc. The trainers at SIA explained to us the training process in detail.

Problem statement

We were asked to pick one of the challenges at the center and work on it for the next 2 weeks. One of the trainees at SIA with cerebral palsy was finding it difficult to use a computer due to involuntary hand movements. The instructor asked them to open the paint application and draw something. It took a long time for them to start the application as they were clicking and opening multiple applications. I took this as my problem statement to find an alternate solution for the trainee.

SECONDARY RESEARCH

Accessible Pointing devices

I started to look into different kinds of devices that are used as an alternative to normal mice. Ergonomic mice, Vertical mice, Bar mice, Trackball, Touchpads, Pen mice, Graphics tablets, Joysticks, Touchscreens, Head movement tracking, Eye tracking, Foot mice, etc.

Market Research

Accessible mice available in the market are costly. Due to the low demand, these devices are priced at Rs.3,000 to Rs.10,000. I decided to use arduino and other modules to create these products at lower price.

IDEATION

I decided to work on 4 different devices:

1. Switches
They are widely used by persons with disabilities for navigation with shortcuts. I decided to remove mouse buttons and place them as switches on top of the keyboard for easy accessibility. I also added 2 more buttons: open and close.

2. Trackball
I used an upside-down laser mouse with a plastic ball to make a track-ball device.

3. Joystick
I used a joystick module along with Arduino Nano to create a mouse.

4. Buttonless mouse
Trainees were very familiar with the mouse movement. So I decided to block buttons and add a casing to the existing mouse to prevent unwanted clicks.

PROTOTYPE

Testing 01

Feedback from classmates:
1. The ball tends to slip during use, affecting control.
2. Adjusting to the new interactions require time and practice.
3. The joystick offers insufficient resistance, making it challenging to maneuver.
4. The buttons are too small, hindering ease of access.

Testing 02

I made few changes and tested it with SIA trainees-

Trainee01:
1. Had difficulty gripping the joystick, affecting usability.
2. Found the button-less mouse intuitive and easy to navigate.
3. The switches were user-friendly and convenient to operate.
4. Experienced challenge in controlling the trackball.

Trainee02:
1. Felt that the joystick response was slower than expected.
2. Enjoyed using the trackball but suggested incorporating a pressing option for improved functionality.
3. Found the button-less mouse to be impractical and less effective.
4. Appreciated the utility of the switches for executing shortcuts quickly.

Reflection

This project sensitized me to the importance of accessibility in technology design and the spectrum of disability. Engaging with individuals with intellectual disabilities revealed their unique challenges with conventional devices, emphasizing that disability exists on a continuum.

Developing alternative devices taught me that accessibility should be a core consideration. Creating inclusive solutions empowers users to engage with technology, fostering independence and enhancing quality of life. This experience reshaped my design approach and motivated me to advocate for accessibility in future projects, ensuring the products I create promote a sense of belonging for all.