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Input Solutions for Repetitive Stress Victims?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the dealing-with-occupational-hazards dept.

simiproject asks: "I provide IT consulting for a 30-person organization. Recently, I have been trying to find an acceptable keyboard/mouse solution for a staff member who experiences sharp pains in her thumb, hand and arm when using her mouse. She had been using one of those 3M joystick mice and felt it only made her situation worse since it required even more extension of her thumb. Holding a pen or stylus won't work since that requires gripping. I switched her to a trackball mouse and that helped a little but not much. However, trying to find a solution that doesn't require using the thumb is like shopping in a bizarro world where we just didn't evolve with that opposing digit. I'd be interested in what practical input solutions Slashdot has for a computer user with limited hand mobility. Voice recognition? Laptop-like touch pads (I've looked but haven't found any)?"

7 of 415 comments (clear)

  1. I've been victimized! by whm · · Score: 3, Funny

    Man...victimized by a 3M joystick mouse. What is the IT world coming to?! :P

  2. Just a joke! by alshithead · · Score: 3, Funny

    Cut off her thumb! No more problem.

    --
    I reserve the right to think for myself. Others' opinions are optional. Puppy on lap = typos...not illiteracy.
  3. Wow, that was overkill. by Maelwryth · · Score: 3, Funny

    Use the other hand.

    --
    I reserve the write to mangle english.
  4. Not the answer... by qyiet · · Score: 2, Funny

    but it got me thinking... has anyone tried using a Theremin as pointer control?

    While I doubt it would be all that useful, it would definately be cool.

    -Qyiet

  5. Re:The answer is Foot Mouse by Firehed · · Score: 2, Funny

    My word, at almost $320 each, you think they'd be able to afford a web designer that didn't come from 1993.

    The real solution.

    --
    How are sites slashdotted when nobody reads TFAs?
  6. Re:Mod parent up by MyLongNickName · · Score: 2, Funny

    Best of all it frees up your right hand for your joystick.

    Is that what you call it?

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    See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
  7. Re:Mod parent up by markwalling · · Score: 2, Funny

    and then your crotch will be on fire. and don't put it on a bean bag either. those catch fire.

    --
    ...For the beast had been reborn with its strength renewed, and the followers of Mammon cowered in horror.