Teaching · Special Education

Point and click
with the keyboard

Choose the platform to see where mouse keys live, the shortcut that turns them on and which keys move, click and drag. Record the keys and speed chosen and why, time a click on a target, mark each step, then note how real tasks went.

Start a setupWhat you get

Setups

The worked example is made up: a desktop using the numeric keypad at a slow speed for a tremor, where dragging is still to learn, and a laptop without a keypad used while a wrist heals. Use initials or a code, not names.

Loading the setup form. If nothing appears, turn on JavaScript.

What you get

Teaching · Special EducationFree

What you finish with
A setup record per person and device: the keys used, pointer speed, the reason and the time to click a target; eight steps marked done, to try or not needed, from moving in eight directions to dragging; real tasks tried; and what to try next. The flags show where mouse keys live on that platform, the on and off shortcut and the key map. A large-print setup card prints for the device.
Who it is for
Occupational therapists, assistive technology staff, special education teachers, families and students who find a mouse or touchpad hard to use.
Format
Browser tool with a saved record per person and device. Prints a large-print setup card, the full record, every setup in a table or a blank form; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Special Education space in Caveat Teaching.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Choose the platform and turn mouse keys on.
  2. Start at a slow speed.
  3. Practice moving, clicking and dragging.
  4. Time a click on a target.
  5. Print the setup card with the key map.

Start a setup

Where mouse keys live

Mouse keys on three platformsWindows 11Settings > Accessibility > Mouse >Mouse keysLeft Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock turnsMouse keys on and offMacSystem Settings > Accessibility >Pointer Control > Mouse KeysWith the option turned on, pressingOption five times turns Mouse Keys onand offChromebookSettings > Accessibility > Cursor andtouchpad > Mouse keysTurn on Mouse keys, then use the keysshown on the Chromebook Help pageMouse keys on three platformsWindows 11Settings > Accessibility > Mouse > MousekeysLeft Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock turnsMouse keys on and offMacSystem Settings > Accessibility > PointerControl > Mouse KeysWith the option turned on, pressing Optionfive times turns Mouse Keys on and offChromebookSettings > Accessibility > Cursor andtouchpad > Mouse keysTurn on Mouse keys, then use the keysshown on the Chromebook Help page
Dragging, holding the button down and letting go, is the part that takes practice on every platform.

When mouse keys help

Mouse keys suit people who can press keys more reliably than they can hold and steer a mouse: tremor, weak grip, a temporary injury, or a need for one-pixel precision in drawing and diagrams. They are slower than a mouse for most people, so time a simple task and compare.

If it is still too slow

Raise the maximum speed one step at a time. If clicking a target still takes more than about fifteen seconds after practice, an occupational therapist or assistive technology team may suggest a trackball, joystick, head pointer or switch access instead.

Sources

  1. Microsoft Support. Use Mouse Keys to move the mouse pointer (support.microsoft.com).
  2. Apple Support. Control the pointer using Mouse Keys on Mac (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help).
  3. Chromebook Help. Use Mouse keys to control your cursor (support.google.com/chromebook).
  4. Apple Support. Change Pointer Control settings for accessibility on Mac (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help).

The worked example is made up. Menu paths and key maps are from current versions of each platform in general terms and can change after an update. The time to target is an informal practice check. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.