How to Guide on the use of Joysticks as an Assistive Technology

A Joystick is used to replace the mouse as a means of operating the on screen cursor.

Joysticks operate by controlling the direction and speed of the cursor rather than its position.

Some users who have shaky or unintentional arm movements find it easier to use this form of cursor control.
Joysticks require only the space they stand on; they do not require a flat surface to run on like a mouse. They can therefore be placed exactly where the user finds most appropriate.

Users who cannot hold a mouse can sometimes operate a joystick with other parts of the body, for example with their chin or with their foot.

Sometimes the whole Joystick will move on the desk, when this happens put a piece of 'Dycem' or rubberised netting (available as an anti slip surface from camping shops) underneath the trackball.

Dragging with a Joystick can be tricky, with the Penny & Giles Joystick the centre button locks the cursor to allow dragging. Some Joysticks have a thumb button on top of the lever to make clicking and dragging easier.

Some Joysticks have two sockets for external switches, these allow the right and left click to be made by a switch movement by the other hand or any other part of the body.

It would seem to be easy for a user to make the transition from using a joystick to operate a wheelchair to using one to operate a cursor. This transition is often not effective.