Apr. 5--Dot Laux hasn't let time do much to slow her down. But the
80-year-old volunteer computer instructor sees daily the problems that arise
when age and computer products collide.
"I see so many people who really have problems using a mouse," says Mrs.
Laux, who teaches senior computer courses through the Wilshire Baptist Church
Computer Center in Dallas. "I have people who just can't use it [the
computer]. Some of them have arthritis, and some of them can't do it because
they get the tremors that come with age. But there are several of them who
just can't control a mouse."
A growing number of aging and physically challenged computer users is
just one reason the market has started seeing a wide range of products
designed for individuals with mobility problems. While special equipment
exists for people with severe disabilities, the needs of those who are
healthy but computer-challenged have been all but overlooked until recently.
From visual impairments to arthritic conditions to strain injuries, the
special needs of consumers are creating a whole catalog of products that are
opening up the World Wide Web to those who previously found it inaccessible.
"It's very frustrating for people who want to keep up and learn how to
use a computer, but they can't even get the mouse to the right place," Mrs.
Laux says. "More and more seniors are getting computers. We have a waiting
list for our classes. But we're finding that using a mouse isn't the best way
for them to do things."
Mrs. Laux now includes a "cheat sheet" of keyboard commands that
provides her students alternatives to using the mouse. However, many other
computer users are reaching out for new or improved ways of working around
their physical limitations.
Until she discovered a touch pad, Jenny Sato had extreme difficulties
using a computer. The 20-year-old college student in Salt Lake City has
cerebral palsy and, although she has use of her arms and hands, her range of
motion is limited.
She discovered the Cirque Power Cat after using a number of other
pointing devices with frustrating results. Now she can use her finger to move
the pointer rather than asking a teacher or another student to move the mouse
for her.
Cirque has an entire line of touch pads designed for the
"mouse-challenged" user. The Cruise Cat, Power Cat, Smart Cat and Easy Cat,
which range from $39 to $109, all use GlidePoint technology, allowing the
user to move the computer cursor by running any finger across the pad.
Because it doesn't require pressure, the touch pad has become popular
among people with problems ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive
strain injury to arthritis to cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.
"Mice, trackballs and keyboards are nightmares for RSI sufferers," says
Cirque's Carrie Royce. "Arms, hands, wrists and fingers are forced to flex in
small, repetitive movements which progressively aggravate RSI conditions.
[This way,] no touch pressure is required. A user hardly has to move problem
joints to point." Early adopters
The touch pads weren't initially developed for users with special needs.
Instead, early adopters sought them out after the first one was introduced in
1994, and the laptop market quickly incorporated the technology. But today
more than 75 percent of Cirque's customers face mobility issues on the
computer.
Cirque hasn't been the only company finding an unexpected market boom
among mouse-challenged users.
Wacom Technology's Graphire, a tablet on which users can write or draw,
was created for graphic designers but has become an alternative for those who
find the mouse too awkward or painful. The computer user can use Graphire's
pen to draw or to navigate the Internet.
When Dragon Systems developed its voice-recognition software in 1990,
the product was originally targeted at attorneys relying on dictation
software in their practices.
Today, the company's line of Dragon NaturallySpeaking products includes
DragonDictate, a speech system that allows the user to work on the Windows 95
system using voice commands.
The software is reportedly popular with users suffering from RSI. It
also is being used in conjunction with screen-reading software for people
with limited vision. Ranging from under $100 to nearly $1,000, the software
packages provide features that can be tailored for personal or professional
use.
For the visually-impaired, screen-reading programs such as JAWS for
Windows turn text into voice data, using a sound card or speech synthesizer
so that the user can hear e-mail messages or information on Web pages. The
systems are sophisticated and often expensive, beginning at around $500 but
more often running between $1,000 and $1,500. Baby boomer impact
As computer use becomes a part of daily living, companies are
recognizing that the market is rich with opportunities, particularly among
aging baby boomers.
Later this year, California-based SAGEport Inc. will roll out a line of
products designed to help senior citizens get online easier. The hardware
bundle, called SAGEvision, is being tested in convalescent homes and senior
activity centers.
The system has been developed specifically for older people, and the
bundle will include an oversized monitor, optional touch screen, keyboard
with large characters, trackball and printer. The package is expected to sell
in the $400 range.
SAGEport also is working on developing an optional voice recognition
system.
"Technophobia and the things formerly associated with this [aging baby
boomer] demographic is fading," says Brian Deutsch, president and CEO of
SAGEport. "We're seeing a lot of older people sit down at the terminal and
want to use it. The problem for them is the rigors involved."
By replacing the mouse with a trackball, Mr. Deutsch says, SAGEvision
has eliminated the biggest single frustration among older users. He says that
while he expects the product will appeal to younger physically challenged
users, the equipment is set up to take users directly online through
senior-oriented sites.
"The site itself is geriatrically focused, so that probably would be a
deterrent to younger disabled users," Mr. Deutsch says. "But I think once
this comes out, we're going to see more and more products like this. I think
everyone is waiting to see a success story.
"Companies haven't targeted [seniors and the disabled] because they feel
they haven't reached full saturation in the [overall] market. Once they
realize how big a market is out there, I think we'll see a lot more companies
tailoring their products like this." Paula Felps is a free-lance writer in
Dallas .
