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About The AbleTrack

The AbleTrack is a versatile solution that adapts well to a number of situations.

Picture of beige AbleTrack with the wrist rest attached

Using a regular computer mouse or trackball is easy if you have full use of your hands and fingers. It takes good control to move a mouse around and press the buttons with just one hand.

But if someone has a disability that limits their hand function then using a regular mouse just got more complicated. This limitation may be the result of paralysis , cmc arthritis, Repetitive Stress Injury (a.k.a. RSI), carpal tunnel syndrome, or muscular dystrophy .

Also if a person uses braces or a prosthetic because of a hand injury, cmc arthritis, carpal tunnel, etc... then a regular mouse might be more aggravating to use than it's worth. And if you need a stationary trackball for amputees then you found the right place.

The AbleTrack helps because the switches and the trackball are separate from one another and

require no hand grip strength to operate.

So for example a palm could be used to operate the trackball and an elbow to activate a switch !

Since the external switches can be moved and positioned anywhere there are many ways they can be activated; with the palm, wrist, elbow, knee, leg, toes etc. You could actually tape or Velcro the switches to a flat surface (such as a desk leg or under a desktop) and they will still function. Even it they are upside down!

The AbleTrack trackball requires NO use of the thumb or fingers !

No hand grip strength required!

The AbleTrack is also a great choice for vocational rehabilitation centers and work hardening programs found at many hospitals and out patient clinics. The versatility of the AbleTrack allows therapists to offer their clients and patients another alternative to the typical off the shelf trackball or mouse.

When the external switches are plugged in the left and right switches built into the AbleTrack are inactive. With the built in switches inactive there is no worry about accidentally activating them while moving the trackball. When the external hand/foot switches are unplugged the AbleTrack functions as a normal trackball with the built in switches now operational.

Click here for big picture of AbleTrack

AbleTrack Features

* Ergonomic removable wrist rest

* Removable retaining ring for easy access to the ball and rollers for cleaning

* Opto-mechanical technology provides highly accurate pointing

* Two 4 inch by 2 1/2 inch removable remote switches with 1/8"-3.5 mm phono jacks

* 6 foot cords on the external hand and foot switches and 5 foot trackball cord

* Hand switches with 1-2 ounce (28-56 gram)activation weight

* Foot switches with 1 LB 10 ounce (737 gram) activation weight

* Programmable 3rd switch with scroll lock (using optional software)

Variable precision resolution from 20 to 6400 DPI for text or graphics editing.

Uses less space than a typical mouse pad : 4 5/8 inches wide X 5 1/2 inches long (removable wrist rest adds 2 inches to the length) X 1 3/4 inch tall

  Large 2 inch track ball for easy maneuverability

*  Compatible with Windows Operating Systems (9X,2k,XP,Vista etc..)

* Linux based Operating System Kernel ( w/HID USB mouse drivers) &

* Apple MAC OS 10.X.X ( basic Apple HID USB mouse driver needed)

 

The middle switch is programmable with the optional software available to owners of the AbleTrack.

Below is a sample list showing just some of the programmable functions.

Sample list showing just some of the programmable functions.

Customers can click here to request the download link.

Users of Windows Accessibility features can even use the AbleTrack with just one hand or foot.

The contemporary design, beige or black body color and custom green Pearlized trackball add up to a quality trackball with performance you can count on.
Picture of beige AbleTrack with the wrist rest attached

Assistive Technology

On August 19, 1988 the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (P.L. 100-407) was signed into law by then President Reagan . Among the provisions of this new law was to provide a funding source for states to develop programs aimed at meeting the assistive technology (AT) needs of individuals with disabilities of all ages.

"Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Assistive Technology Service is directly assisting an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device."

In March 1994 the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendment of 1994 (P.L. 103-218) was signed into law by President Clinton.

The large 2 inch diameter green trackball and 4 x 2.5 inch remote hand/foot switches can be easily operated by other parts of the body (palm, leg, foot etc.) so there is no stress put on the thumb or fingers. Even doing a 'click-and-drag', where you want to highlight an area for editing, is easier. .

Picture of black AbleTrack with wrist rest attached.

If you or someone you know is looking for an assistive technology solution to your computer mouse or trackball needs

the AbleTrack is the smart choice !

 

 

Below is some basic info about carpal tunnel syndrome and CMC arthritis. The emphasis is on basic here. There are many resources on the web that can supply more in depth coverage of these subjects.

Carpal tunnel syndrome develops as a result of pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. The median nerve passes through a protected cavity, or tunnel, along with nine tendons that bend the fingers. When the tendons are irritated, the lining around the tendons (synovium) swells up and puts pressure on the median nerve. This pressure cuts off the blood supply to the nerve. Carpal tunnel release involves cutting the transverse carpal ligament to reduce the constriction and increase blood flow. .
Physical diagram of hand.

 

 

The CMC, or carpometacarpal joint, is located at the base of the thumb in-between the metacarpal and the carpus, or wrist bones.

 

The CMC joint is also referred to as the basal joint. This joint handles the turning and pivoting motions of the thumb, and is where most arthritis of the hand occurs.
Tendons and nerves in the hand.
Picture of person using the AbleTrack

 

 

Even if you wear wrist or thumb splints, you can still easily use the AbleTrack.

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Picture of beige AbleTrack with the wrist rest attached
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