I can almost hear you say, “But everyone uses a mouse, right?” Well, not quite. For millions of people with physical disabilities, the standard computer mouse presents significant challenges or may be completely unusable. Fortunately, there are many alternative ways to interact with technology.

Keyboard only.

Before the computer mouse became our go-to navigation tool, computers were operated using the keyboard alone. I even remember using keys to control games before joysticks and controllers were available. Although the earliest demonstration of a mouse was in 1968, it wasn’t until 1984 with the Macintosh that the mouse became the default way to interact with a computer.

The keyboard remains essential for anyone who cannot see a mouse pointer or who has limited or involuntary movement, such as a tremor. For those who can see the screen, using a keyboard to navigate means being able to identify where you are and which button or link is selected. We all experience this when using an on-screen keyboard with a TV remote-we need to see which letter is highlighted. However, if a website developer has neglected to add visible focus indicators, keyboard users will struggle to know what they are about to select.

Beyond basic keyboards.

When standard keyboards are unsuitable, alternatives include:

  • Modified keyboards with larger keys for easier pressing by people with motor difficulties
  • Compact keyboards, which are smaller and usually lack number pads to reduce movement
  • Customisable layouts, where only a few keys are mapped to different commands
  • On-screen keyboards controlled by various pointing devices or switches

Switch access.

Switch devices convert limited physical movements into computer commands. Examples include:

  • Simple button switches activated by any consistent movement-Stephen Hawking, for instance, controlled his computer using a muscle twitch in his cheek
  • Sip-and-puff switches, which use air pressure from sipping or blowing into a straw
  • Proximity switches, which respond to gestures without requiring physical pressure

A single switch may seem basic, but when combined with scanning software, it offers complete computer control for users with very limited mobility-slower than a mouse, perhaps, but providing vital independence.

Eye tracking: Control with a glance.

For people with conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal cord injuries, eye-tracking technology has been transformative. These systems follow eye movements and translate them into cursor control, allowing users to navigate, type, and select items simply by looking at them. The technology has become more affordable and accurate in recent years, opening digital worlds to those with severe physical limitations.

Voice recognition: Speaking your commands.

Software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking and built-in voice control systems enable users to operate their computers entirely by voice. Commands such as “click that link,” “scroll down,” or “open email” replace physical interactions. Improvements in voice recognition accuracy have made this a practical input method for many users.

Assistive technologies are not the issue.

The main barrier to accessibility is not the assistive technology itself but how websites are designed. Without proper keyboard navigation, clear focus indicators, or a logical tab order, even the most advanced assistive tools cannot help. Whether free, paid for, or built-in, assistive technologies will fail if a website is not developed with accessibility in mind, preventing independent use.

As the old Mars Bar advert said, “work, rest, and play”-the assistive technologies we use for testing are the same ones people rely on every day. Many options exist, both free and paid, all supporting independence when websites are accessible. While mistakes happen and websites are not always perfect, we are here to help fix accessibility issues so everyone can use the web.

Looking forward.

The future of accessibility looks promising with emerging technologies such as improved brain-computer interfaces and more intuitive voice control systems. Meanwhile, many features originally designed for accessibility, like voice assistants, are becoming mainstream.

By embracing alternative input methods and designing our digital world to accommodate them, we move closer to technology that works for everyone-not just those who can click a mouse. After all, technology should adapt to us, rather than forcing us to adapt to it.

How accessible is your website? Find out with our free snapshot! Or contact Accessibility-Services@Shaw-Trust.org.uk.