Abstract
The lack of dexterity in the upper limbs of people with motor impairments may prevent the use of standard pointing devices, such as mice, to access graphical user interfaces. In these cases, pointing and clicking are usually performed by means of alternative devices such as joysticks, trackballs or standard keyboards. However, target acquisition can still be challenging for this group of people due to their physical condition. Based on previous works, we developed two virtual cursors: the novel cross cursor and the standard area cursor. They are devoted to assist two different groups of users with link selection within web pages: keyboard-only users, and joystick and trackball users, respectively. Both virtual cursors have been evaluated and compared with the original unassisted cursor in a longitudinal study. Eight people with motor impairments participated in an unsupervised experiment from their own personal computers at home. For a period of six weeks, each participant used both a virtual cursor and the original unassisted cursor to freely navigate the Web, and to perform predefined target acquisition tasks. Interaction data was automatically logged throughout the study along with subjective assessments concerning the usability of the virtual cursor being tested. Results show significant improvements for both virtual cursors in six of the seven cursor parameters studied, albeit with performance variations between some participants. The virtual cursors were extensively used for free web navigation and in their subjective assessments both were positively endorsed by participants who also put forward improvement suggestions for future developments.
Highlights
Computer access is often depicted as an act of pointing to to access graphical user interfaces (GUIs)
Two groups of experienced users with different alternative pointing devices participated from their home on this remote 6-week unsupervised study to evaluate each virtual cursor: the novel cross cursor by keyboard-only users, and a standard area cursor by joystick and trackball users
Quantitative results showed that the cross and area cursors improved the performance of both groups of participants compared to the original cursor
Summary
Computer access is often depicted as an act of pointing to to access graphical user interfaces (GUIs). The most commonly used ATs to overfrom conditions such as poor coordination, slow movements, come this issue include specific alternative pointing devices low strength, tremors, spasms, rapid fatigue, or difficulty (e.g., trackball or joystick), software applications such as controlling direction or distance, that hinder these actions in mouse keys that enable the use of keyboards as an alternative different ways [2]. These conditions may prevent the use of to a mouse, or devices to support alternative manipulation standard pointing devices [3] for activities such as navigating (e.g., head wands or mouth sticks).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
