Special Needs
Dasher is highly appropriate for computer users who are
unable to use a two-handed keyboard. One-handed users and users with no
hands love Dasher.
The only ability that is required is sight.
Dasher can be driven using a mouse, a trackpad, a touchscreen, a rollerball, or a joystick
- any two-dimensional pointing device that can take over the role of
a mouse. A foot mouse and a head mouse are additional options.
It can also be driven using an eyetracker, giving a completely-hands-free
writing system. After one hour's practice, some users are able to write
at more than 20 words per minute using Dasher with an eyetracker
For a movie demonstrating Dasher with an eyetracker, see
David Ward's
movie page. [In the movie, David hits the space bar to start the program
going, and after that he uses nothing but eyes.]
Compared to an eyetracker + visual keyboard, Dasher is
- faster
- more accurate
- more fun
- I am paralyzed from the shoulders down. What do I need to make Dasher
work for me?
- Do you have a PC? (Linux or Windows) Can you use a head-mouse? Or any other sort of mouse?
Perhaps a mouth-stick that controls the mouse coordinates?
If so, simply download the latest version of Dasher, and you should be
able to write with Dasher.
If standard mice and head-mice are not an option, then you'll need
an eyetracker that can take over control of the mouse.
We used a system from Eyetech
called Quickglance.
Here are some links giving information about non-standard mouse devices.
- Head-mouse From MouseVision Inc: VisualMouse
(VM) software
- widely used by disabled people,
can be downloaded from www.mousevision.com
free of charge.
VM is a pointing device using a webcam that
recognizes head motion (with no gear on the head).
It works with
Windows 98/ME/2000. [23/8/02.]
- Smart-Nav Head mouse (was called TrackIR)
- GyroMouse - Free space mouse - good for people with limited reach - and could probably be used as a head mouse or foot mouse.
- Carpal tunnel-friendly mouse:
One Dasher-user recommends the hand-held IBM GlidePoint mouse.
-
Eyetrackers: Eyetech
- Eyetrackers: Applied Science Laboratories
- Foot-control: Vik writes:
I thought you might like to know that I have been running
the Linux version of Dasher on the Sony Playstation 2.
I used the Sony "Dance Mat" controller to control Dasher with my feet.
This is a relatively low-cost platform with a variety of controllers
available, some of which may suit certain disabilites.
