MendoClick™
Ergonomics, Comfort and Other Special Needs

Contents

Introduction

Ergonomics Links

1. Basic Positioning and Equipment
2. Other Resource Links
3. Retailers
4. Manufacturers
5. Alternative Input and Output Strategies
6. Some Business Management Issues

Resources for Blind or Low-Vision Users

Mouse Notes

Introduction

Ergonomics is the relationship between equipment design and body discomfort and fatigue. Physical discomfort adversely affects productivity and concentration as well as overall health. Helping employees stay comfortable makes good business sense.

Ergonomics can be applied to any activities, from working in the kitchen to pedaling a bicycle, driving a car, making a charcoal sketch, or working on an assembly line. Because MendoClick specializes in desktop computer training, we have focused here on ergonomics for the office.

There is overlap between the fields of ergonomics and special needs. For example, alternatives or modifications to a computer mouse that may prevent carpel tunnel syndrome in an average person may allow a handicapped person who cannot use a standard mouse at all to use the same functions; speech-output software that may help a dyslexic person make sense out of a screen may help an average person take a much-needed stretch break while the computer reads aloud without losing any work time.

Please pardon my lack of thoroughness in both these areas. My haphazard posts will, hopefully, improve as people offer suggestions and I get some spare time to reorganize this page. I offer these links in the hopes that it helps some people who have wandered into my website. I get nothing else from it.

I have not tested most of the products and services listed here. The ideas look good, but you will have to research and try ideas and products out on your own. I make no claims and accept no responsibility for anything listed on this page.

When you consider so-called ergonomic products, start with your own body (or work with the person who will be using the equipment) and be discerning. What positions would be most comfortable and effective for performing your tasks? How does the equipment support you in those positions? How does it adjust for different tasks or to accommodate your body's needs for a variety of positions over the course of the day? Would it be better, for example, to have several different types of chairs or one with a wide range of configurations? Would a standing-height table with a book holder provide a much-needed break from hours of sitting, or a high stool with a footrest provide a break from too much standing? Remember your eyes and ears, too, and consider lighting, glare and disruptive noise, all of which can contribute to personal fatigue.

Look at equipment in a variety of price ranges, not so that you will put yourself in debt, but to give momentum to the wheels of your imagination. Determine the most cost-effective way to meet your objectives without sacrificing comfort and effectiveness.

The list below is certainly not complete, but it is a good place to start. Your favorite search engine should turn up additional vendors and manufacturers, especially if you search on the particular type of product you are looking for. The Web can turn up other information as well, including good books and articles.

Mouse note: If you are experiencing discomfort from using your mouse, see the bottom of this page.

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Links

Basic Positioning and Equipment

Adjusting your work equipment to fit you:

National Institute of Health, Division of Safety
http://www.nih.gov/od/ors/ds/ergonomics/index.html

Job Accommodation Network (A service of the U.S. DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy), "Ergonomics in the Workplace: A Resource Guide"
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/ergo.html

Ergonomics information at university websites (although developed for staff and students at these schools, you will find some good tips and general information):

Ergonomics section at the University of California, San Diego
http://blink.ucsd.edu/Blink/External/Topics/Policy/0,1162,4008,00.html

Ergonomics section at Stanford University
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/EHS/prod/general/ergo/

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Other Resource Links

Job Accommodation Network links
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/links/ergo.htm

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Retailers

(Note that some manufacturers, below, also sell directly from their websites. MendoClick does not endorse products or vendors, but presents them to help you be aware of possibilities)

Ergonomic Resources
http://www.ergo-2000.com/

Ergonomic Specialties, Ltd.
http://www.ergospec.com/products/index.html

Innovative Ergonomic Solutions
http://www.iesproducts.com/

EnableMart carries products targeted at making computers accessible to those with handicapping conditions, including deafness, blindness, and mobility impairments.
http://www.enablemart.com/

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Manufacturers

(You can easily find many more manufacturers by looking at the retailer's websites, above, and then using a search engine to find the listed manufacturers' home pages.)

DataHand Systems, Inc. manufactures and markets products that particularly benefit the disabled and carpal tunnel sufferer. Products include the DataHand, a split keyboard that does not require wrist or arm movement; a hands-free mouse; an ergonomic desktop; and more.
http://www.datahand.com/

Commodio Inc. makes the QPointer line of products that enable you to point to objects on the screen by using your voice, your keyboard, or a combination of the two, replacing or supplementing the mouse. One product enables completely hands-free operation of the computer.
http://www.commodio.com/

Fentek Industries makes the Comfort Keyboard, a relatively inexpensive adjustable split keyboard, and other equipment.
http://www.fentek-ind.com/

Fellowes makes touchpads, backrests, footrests, glare filters, and a variety of office products.
http://www.fellowes.com/

Vestil Manufacturing makes several models of lifting devices (to save your back!), chairs, and other ergonomic equipment, as well as material handling equipment.
http://www.vestilmfg.com/

BookMateStore.com makes book holders, bookstands, caddies, and related products.
http://www.bookmatestore.com/

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Alternative Input and Output Strategies

Here I am beginning to post links for alternative input and output methods, such as speech recognition and voice output. There are many more - keyboards designed for one-handed users, Braille output, optical character recognition used in conjunction with a stylus pad for converting handwriting to type, etc. You will find some of these by clicking in the previous sections. I simply do not have the resources to keep up on these, but as I happen across something interesting, I will add it.

Microsoft Windows XP Accessibility Wizard tutorial:
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsxp/default.htm

Microsoft's description of the speech recognition capabilities of Office XP:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/evaluation/indepth/speech.asp

Microsoft Windows XP article, "Choose the Text–to–Speech Playback Voice":
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsxp/ttsplaybackvoice.aspx

My review of the TextAloud MP3 screen reader:
http://www.mendoclick.com/SharewareTAM.html

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Some Business Management Issues

A little article that speaks to the question of the proper priority of ergonomics in business management (Microsoft Word format)
http://www.ergonauts.com/LeanErgonomicsDefined-rev1.doc

Training in ergonomics
http://www.ergonauts.com/eku.html

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Resources for Blind or Low-Vision Users

I put up a separate page for this topic. Click the heading above.

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Mouse Notes

For some reason, many references will mention trackballs but never touchpads as mouse alternatives. Either may work well for you.

These same reference sources (some of which are listed on this site) also neglect to mention why a trackball or touchpad might work better than a mouse. Here are a few reasons:

1. Because it does not roll along a surface, you can put it exactly where it is most comfortable, including in your lap or in your other hand. (Try putting your mouse in your lap and see how well that works! Actually, an optical mouse can work fine here; lately I sometimes use a large optical mouse on a buckwheat pillow in my lap.)
2. Rather than holding it with your hand, which makes your hand take on the same shape for much of the time, you can alternate the fingers you use to move the trackball or glide across the touchpad, while the rest of your hand is free to curve naturally.
3. A wrist rest is harder to design for a mouse than for a trackball or touchpad.
4. A mouse requires more desk space.
5. Since you move it across the desk, the position of the mouse is less predictable. Therefore, it may take longer for your hand to find it as your hand jumps between keyboard and mouse.
6. Touchpads have no rollers to get gummed up (so if you opt for the mouse, opt for optical, which has no rollers, either. However, touch pads may have other problems. Mine works electrostatically and is great as long as my fingers are not cold or damp. I overcame most problems by fiddling with the settings, however, and I love it in spite of the aforementioned quirks.)
7. Many touchpads require only a very light touch. This may help people with minimal finger strength.

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