Alternative technology

The standard keyboard and mouse are adjustable devices whose settings you can change in the same way you might adjust your office chair.
 
Various types of ergonomic keyboards are available which allow touch-typists to improve the positioning of their hands, fingers, wrists and forearms.
 
Standard-issue mice can be an ergonomic disaster, requiring an extreme wrist posture which, combined with double-clicking and dragging, causes a problem for many computer users. Alternative pointing devices are worth investigating.
 
Recent developments in voice recognition technology means you can now almost give up the keyboard and mouse completely by simply dictating words straight onto the screen or operating it by voice commands.
 
The charity AbilityNet has been working with 'get round' technology for many years and offers independent advice on all the above for anyone concerned about RSI. Before you purchase any alternative equipment, RSI Awareness recommends you contact them on freephone 023 8029 4500 or visit their website (link below).
 
The Access To Work scheme, run by the Employment Service, has advisers and consultants who can visit offices and factories to provide a free assessment service and then offer equipment and help to keep disabled people in work.
 
With computers, the following tips for avoiding RSI do not cost a penny!
 
Run Control Panel from Task Bar /Start /Settings /Control Panel. The settings given are correct for Windows 98 and Word 2000. They are offered as suggestions only - experiment with the settings to suit you.

1. Make the mouse easier to use
   • Slowing your mouse down can greatly reduce muscle tension in your hand
     1. In Control Panel double-click on Mouse
     2. Select the tab Pointer Options
     3. Under Pointer Speed move the slider left to Slow
     4. Click OK
   • Mousetool
     This is a free piece of software which you can download. It does away with the need to click on the mouse, which a lot of people find painful. When you let the mouse pointer rest over a button, menu or link for more than a few tenths of a second, it automatically clicks the mouse for you. You can set it to left click, right click or double click and you can adjust the length of time you have to pause over a button, to minimise the possibility of making accidental clicks. It is easy to use although it does take a bit of practice as it means getting into new mouse habits.
     >> Download Mousetool for PC
     
2. Avoid using the mouse as much as possible
   • Keyboard shortcuts
     You don't have to use the mouse to navigate and execute commands in Windows. For a full list of keyboard shortcuts see the RSI Awareness Factsheet 'Windows shortcut keys'. To show shortcut keys on menus, go to You can also adjust the Office Assistant to give you tips about shortcuts. Double click on the Assistant then press the Options button. Make sure the box 'Show tips about keyboard shortcuts' is ticked. You can also access this feature through View/Toolbars/Customise.
      
     Windows was designed to be an intuitive and easy to use interface, i.e. if you want to do something, using the mouse to point at a picture of it on the screen doesn't need a lot of explanation. However, although it takes a bit of time to learn the shortcuts, using them does speed up work considerably, and avoids the discomfort that can be associated with mouse work.
   • Mouse keys
     If you really can't do without using the pointer, try switching on 'Mouse keys'. Go to Ctrl Panel, choose Accessibility Options then click the tab for Mouse. Tick the box for Mouse Keys. This will allow you to move the pointer with the arrow keys on the number pad. You will need to make sure your pointer speed is set quite fast for this (see point 1a).
3. Adjust your screen
   This allows you to fit far more information on your screen. N.B. Before changing monitor settings check with your IT department or IT support service for monitor compatibility.
   1. In Control Panel double-click on Display
   2. Select Settings
   3. Under Screen Area move the slider to the right to 800 by 600. (If you have a 17 inch screen try 1024 by 768 pixels)
   4. Press Apply to test. If test is successful keep new setting
   5. Now staying on the Settings tab, press the Advanced button.
   6. Select the Adapter tab. Change the Refresh frequency to 70-75 Hz or higher (remembering to check with your IT dept or IT support service for monitor compatibility).
   7. Re-adjust size and shape of screen using monitor controls (usually found on the front of the monitor itself).
   8. Is text too small? Leave the Adapter tab and choose the General tab. Then under Font Size choose Large Fonts
   9. Click OK.
4. Adjust your keyboard
   • Slow your repeat rate down
     Avoid mistakes that you then have to go back and correct…
     1. In Control Panel double-click on Keyboard
     2. Set Repeat delay - long, Repeat rate - slow.
   • Sticky keys
     Some people find having to hold shift down while pressing another key awkward. Go to ctrl panel, choose Accessibility Options and on the Keyboard tab tick the box marked 'Sticky Keys'. This will mean that to type the word 'The' you would type 'SHIFT-t-h-e' rather than 'SHIFT+t-h-e'.
5. Avoid unnecessary keystrokes
   • Auto-correct
     Word can automatically correct errors you make. But did you know you can also use this feature as a shortcut to inserting phrases and paragraphs you type frequently?
     Go to tools. Choose Autocorrect. The first tab you see open in front of you contains a list of commonly used spelling mistakes and typos. Beside them are substitutions that Word will automatically make. Make sure that the box 'replace text as you type' is ticked. You can add any common mistakes that you make.
      
     You can also add commonly used phrases and assign them a shortcut. So for example, you can input that 'sig' is an error and should be replaced with the following phrase:
     
     Yours sincerely
      
     Deirdre Rusling
     Information Officer
   • Predictive text
     This guesses what you are about to type, saving you unnecessary keystrokes.
     Go to tools. Choose Autocorrect. Then choose the tab Autotext. You will see a list of commonly used phrases like yours sincerely, best wishes and so on. You can add your own commonly used phrases such as your name, the name of your organisation or department or any sentences or long jargon you use frequently. When you are writing a document, if the computer recognises that you have typed the first few letters of the given phrase, it will suggest the phrase in a box. Just hit return to accept the phrase or carry on typing to reject it.