[laptop-accessibility] Touchpad is not accessible friendly

[David K Parker]

All I can say is that I tried using the touchpad as a mouse and it didn't
recognize my touch. This is true of every touchpad I've ever tried. The
trackpoint style pointing device in the center of keyboards such as Thinkpad
and some HP models work great.

On another note...
Many touchscreens don't work with prosthetic devices either. Apple has the
worst track record. I have yet to find an iPod ot iPhone that works. It's a
real shame that technology is becoming more of an obstacle than an enabler
of people with disabilities. I know touchscreens can work with prosthetics
as I own a Centro that woks great.

It just seems that a project like this Laptop for Every Child should be more
aware of barriers like this. Obstacles that can be easily remedied. I can't
imagine that a trackpoint style pointing device would add that much to the
cost.

On Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 12:48 AM, Tim hobbs <tim.thelion at gmail.com> wrote:

> You know, I'm surprised, there are two functionalities on this touch pad,
> the touch pad it'self, and a pressure sensative pad.  You may be able to use
> the pressure sensative pad, your hook acting as a stylus.
>
> Timothy Hobbs
>
>
> On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 7:32 PM, David K Parker <davparker at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I have yet to find a touchpad that works with a prosthetic hook. I tested
>> one of these laptops at a conference recently, it did NOT work with my
>> prosthetic.
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 6:47 PM, Seth Woodworth <seth at isforinsects.com>wrote:
>>
>>> I disagree.
>>>
>>> I believe that this is called a capacitance touchpad.  I can't imagine
>>> that there isn't some item that a child could use instead of a finger.
>>>
>>> In fact, within arm reach: my metal watch band enables me to use my
>>> touchpad.
>>>
>>> I don't think there is a as-cheap device that will allow pointing on
>>> the XO as a capacitance touchpad.
>>>
>>> --Seth
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 6:48 PM, Carlos mauro <unimauro at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> > I agree.
>>> >
>>> > For versions of the XO 1.5 or 2.0 would be my suggestion to place the
>>> cam
>>> > and the microphone at the top of the screen of the laptop. Use
>>> eyetracking
>>> > recognition technologies or the use of touchscreen or something
>>> similary to
>>> > gnome speech desktop
>>> >
>>> > 2008/11/19 David K Parker <davparker at gmail.com>
>>> >>
>>> >> In looking at the laptop specs I noticed the mouse input is a
>>> touchpad.
>>> >> This makes the laptop inaccessible for kids with artificial hands. The
>>> >> touchpad technology is not good at all for people who wear prosthesis.
>>> This
>>> >> limitation can be addressed by providing a trackpoint type
>>> alternative. It's
>>> >> really a shame that technology companies don't think about these
>>> unecessary
>>> >> limitations for people with disabilities. I bet there are many kids
>>> missing
>>> >> limbs due to landmines that will be affected by this technology
>>> hurdle. I
>>> >> know because I'm missing my hands due to an accident. Technology
>>> should be
>>> >> used to allow people to overcome disabilities, not adding additional
>>> >> obstacles to oversome. Please pass this info on to the developers of
>>> the
>>> >> laptops.
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> accessibility mailing list
>>> >> accessibility at lists.laptop.org
>>> >> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> > http://unimauro.blogspot.com/
>>> > Creemos en el amor de los Seres Humanos
>>> > Carlos Mauro Cárdenas Fernández
>>> > 4582877 980525716
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> > accessibility mailing list
>>> > accessibility at lists.laptop.org
>>> > http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>>> >
>>> >
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> accessibility mailing list
>>> accessibility at lists.laptop.org
>>> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> accessibility mailing list
>> accessibility at lists.laptop.org
>> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>>
>>
>
>
> --
>
> Thank you,
> Timothy Hobbs
> tim.thelion at gmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> accessibility mailing list
> accessibility at lists.laptop.org
> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>
>
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