Coding with eye gaze and switch access
A maze game and curriculum for students who can't use a standard mouse or keyboard. Built on Blockly, aggressively optimised for two different user input methods.
Some students with physical disabilities use eye gaze, switch access or other assistive technology to control their computer. Although it is sometimes possible to access mainstream platforms (see block coding with assistive technology), students and teachers can face an uphill battle navigating the additional demands created by assistive tech use.
This project explores what block-based coding can look like when you design for those users from the start, scaffolding the introduction to computer science principles, one step at a time.
Who it’s for
Direct pointer users
Some students use assistive tech to control a mouse cursor directly, but find drag operations challenging, or mode switching between clicks, drags and other mouse actions.
The design constraint here is simple: single clicks only. No dragging, no double-clicking, no gestures. This opens the game up to eye gaze cursor users, switch-based gliding cursors, head mouse users, and more.
Grid users
Other students aren't able to use a cursor at all, and navigate instead using a grid overlay.
For these users the game is fully keyboard-controlled. Crucially, the curriculum introduces controls gradually, so students aren't learning to navigate a new interface at the same time as learning to code.
Try it
We’re planning to trial this with a number of schools this year. If this interests you, sign up here to be involved.