Students have a wide array of disabilities that affect them in numerous ways. There are some individuals with visual or hearing impairments which require sign language and tactile adaptations to help support learning. Others may include Spina bifida, cerebral palsy or other spinal cord injuries which can affect the ability to walk or sit up using a straight posture. In such cases as these children can have the inability to perform fine motor movements. Frustration and self-esteem can make students feel less involved and left out of basic educational functions such as writing with a pen or controlling a mouse to perform actions on a computer. IDEA stresses the importance of equal opportunity and access to assistive technology. Students with disabilities should be able to engage in tools to help them achieve the best possible educational outcomes. I want to introduce you to the track ball which is an alternative mouse which can better assist students with poor fine motor movements in the hands or arms. I had the chance to learn about this alternative mouse in my assistive technology class. This is an advanced pointing device that can be bought at a reasonably low price. The trackball can be purchased at just about any store such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart, or Staples. Several models still have cords that you have to yank around as you move them and a lots of designs still need a mouse pads. When using the trackball the movement of the finger helps to navigate the PC.
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