We tested PointAssist, software that assists in pointing tasks by detecting difficulty through a sub-movement analysis and triggering help, with adjustments proposed to personalize the assistance provided to individuals with motor impairments. A within-subjects study with sixteen individuals with fine motor skills impairments resulted in statistically significant effects on accuracy using Friedman's test with (χ 2 (1) = 6.4, p = .011) in favor of personalized PointAssist compared to no assistance.

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Software developers who are blind and interact with the computer non-visually face unique challenges with information retrieval. We explore the use of speech and Braille combined with software to provide an improved interface to aid with challenges associated with information retrieval. We motivate our design on common tasks performed by students in a software development course using a Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages (MIPS) architecture simulation tool. We test our interface via a single-subject longitudinal study, and we measure and show improvement in both the user’s performance and the user experience.

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Four studies describe the pointing performance of individuals with fine motor skills impairments. First, we describe the pointing performance of two individuals with Parkinsons disease via a sub-movement analysis and compare them with similar results found in the literature from young children and older able-bodied adults. The analysis suggests the need of an individual assessment of pointing difficulties and the personalization of the methods of assistance and motivates subsequent studies. Two experiments followed where we tested PointAssist, software that assists in pointing tasks by detecting difficulty through a sub-movement analysis and triggering help, with adjustments proposed to personalize the assistance provided. A within-subjects study with sixteen individuals with fine motor skills impairments resulted in statistically significant effects on accuracy using Friedman's test with (χ 2 (1) = 6.4, p = .011) in favor of personalized PointAssist. A five week longitudinal study with three participants with Cerebral Palsy and other fine motor skills impairments shows the long term effects of PointAssist. The longitudinal study logged real-world use of pointing devices validating the results for real-world interactions. PointAssist had statistically significant effect of reduced sub-movement length and speed with p < .00001 and p < .0002 respectively for one of the participants. These results suggest better motor control near a target and statistically significant results on the sub-movement duration confirmed this. Finally, we designed, developed and tested a new assistive technology for individuals with severe motor skills impairments that we call the ABSTRACT Four studies describe the pointing performance of individuals with fine motor skills impairments. First, we describe the pointing performance of two individuals with Parkinsons disease via a sub-movement analysis and compare them with similar results found in the literature from young children and older able-bodied adults. The analysis suggests the need of an individual assessment of pointing difficulties and the personalization of the methods of assistance and motivates subsequent studies. Two experiments followed where we tested PointAssist, software that assists in pointing tasks by detecting difficulty through a sub-movement analysis and triggering help, with adjustments proposed to personalize the assistance provided. A within-subjects study with sixteen individuals with fine motor skills impairments resulted in statistically significant effects on accuracy using Friedman's test with (χ 2 (1) = 6.4, p = .011) in favor of personalized PointAssist. A five week longitudinal study with three participants with Cerebral Palsy and other fine motor skills impairments shows the long term effects of PointAssist. The longitudinal study logged real-world use of pointing devices validating the results for real-world interactions. PointAssist had statistically significant effect of reduced sub-movement length and speed with p < .00001 and p < .0002 respectively ...