Alternative Mice

Standard Mice

The standard computer mouse is generally used by moving the mouse on a surface, (usually a mouse mat) which in turn moves the cursor on the computer screen. Selections are made using click and drag buttons on the mouse. These can come in a variety of sizes.

Alternatives to the standard mouse (also known as alternative pointing devices) include:

  • Trackball or Rollerball Mouse
  • Joystick Mouse
  • Touchpad
  • Ergonomic mouse
  • Headmouse
  • Touchscreens
  • Eyegaze 

Trackball or Rollerball Mouse

A trackball is essentially an upside down mouse. The cursor is controlled by the user moving a ball located on the upper surface of the trackball. Consequently, the mouse itself does not move on the surface of the table and there is no need for a mouse mat. The user selects items by using 'click' and 'drag' buttons on the trackball.

Examples of commercially available and specialised trackball mice are shown below.

Kensington Expert MouseInclusive Kid Track

The Kensington Expert Mouse Pro and Inclusive Kid-Track with external switch support

 

Joystick Mouse

A joystick mouse allows the user to control the cursor on screen by moving a joystick in any of four directions: up, down, right, left, as well as all directions in between. The user may select items by either using 'click' and 'drag' buttons on the joystick. Examples of joystick mice are shown below.

Penny and Giles Roller II Roller Mouse with Joystick
Penny and Giles Roller II and Roller Plus Joysticks

Touchpad

Touchpads are pointing devices, or mice commonly used in laptops. A touchpad is a flat-surface on which the user moves his/her finger in order to control the cursor. The user can select by either tapping quickly on the touchpad (for a double-click) or by using the standard mouse buttons.

Cirque Cruise Cat touch pad
Cirque Cruise Cat touch pad

Headmouse

A headmouse can be operated through the use of a reflective dot being placed on the user's forehead/glasses. When the user moves his/her head, the movement of the headmouse is recognised by an infrared receiver which in turn translates the head movements into cursor movements on screen. Mouse selections are made either using a dwell facility whereby the user pauses on the on-screen target for an agreed period, at the end of which, a selection is made, or alternatively, using an external switch.

Track-IR Head Mouse System
Track-IR Head Mouse System

Ergonomic Mice

Ergonomic mice are designed to work with the hand's natural posture and to prevent repetitive strain and other injuries. Examples are shown below

Quill MouseWhale MousePerific Mouse

Quill mouse, Whale mouse and Perific mouse

Touchscreen

Touch screens allow the user to move the cursor on screen, by using their finger directly on the screen.

Touchscreen

Eyegaze

Eyegaze systems allow the user to control the mouse onscreen by using their eyes. Sensors on the devices locate the pupil of the eye and use its movements to move the cursor on the screen.
MyTobi eye gaze systemERICA eye gaze system
MyTobi eye gaze system and the ERICA eye gaze system

Other things to consider:

  • Mousekeys – Enabling this feature on windows allow the user to move the mouse on screen by using the number pad attached to the keyboard.
  • Left vs. Right hand users – the buttons can be swapped over to accommodate left-handed mouse users.
  • Mouse properties – pointer speed, double click rate and drag lock can be adjusted using the mouse properties found in the control panel.

More Information