[laptop-accessibility] Touchpad is not accessible friendly

[Michael Reynolds]

A trackpoint on a think pad seemed to work really well for me - in
fact - even tho the thinkpad i own is really old (I have an HP with a
touch pad - running ubuntu 8.04, i HAD to shut pressure sensitivity
off, and i cant stand it compared to my think pad.  but i could not
really complain as the machine new was under $400.

Due to spasms, the ipod touch and iphone are really annoying, (what's
even worse is that i know a guy who works on it's os - we went to high
school together...) tho - as david said other manufacturers - for me
LG - works fine...

Mike R.

On Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 6:17 PM, David K Parker <davparker at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> accessibility mailing list
> accessibility at lists.laptop.org
> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>
>



-- 
Mike Reynolds, uppity-disability.net webmaster
"Why am I the witness and when I capture it
on film does it mean that its the end and I'm alone." - Mark Cohen, RENT