Many people with fine motor skill problems have trouble using a computer mouse.
They lack the coordination to move the mouse effectively and then hold it still while clicking.
The AutoHotkey program used in combination with an overlay keyboard can be used to simulate a mouse.
First, AutoHotkey is an open source program (i.
e.
free) that allow for the creation of macros in Windows.
The macros can recreate any sequence of characters, function keys and Ctrl and Alt key a user can type on a standard keyboard.
AutoHotkey can also emulate mouse movement and clicking.
Macros are assigned to hotkeys on the keyboard.
The mouse pointer can be moved in any direction at a range of speeds.
Up, down, left, right and diagonal movement is possible.
Also clicking and double clicking the mouse can be emulated.
Second, on an overlay keyboard, similar to AutoHotkey, each key can be configured to reproduce any sequence of keys on a keyboard.
Unlike AutoHotkey it cannot in itself control the mouse.
However, a key can be configured to reproduce an AutoHotkey hotkey that does control the mouse.
On an overlay keyboard adjacent keys can be configured to the same key sequence.
This can double, triple, quadruple or more the size of a key.
Now those lacking fine motor skill have a large key to press.
A graphic overlay can be created that labels what each key or group of keys does.
The keys can be color coded and include graphics such as arrows, making keys easier to find.
One problem those lacking fine motor skills have with a standard keyboard is releasing a key before the repeat function kicks in.
With an overlay keyboard the repeat function is entirely controllable.
First, the repeat function can be completely turned off.
Second, the time between repeated characters can set to anything for fractions of a second to over two minutes.
The combination of AutoHotkey and an overlay keyboard is a powerful combination.
Especially when used to help those lacking fine motor skill.