Alternative Pointer Options

Perform a left-click, right-click, double-click, or drag-and-drop action using keyboard keys, assistive switches, or facial expressions (such as a smile or an open mouth).

To specify keys, switches, and facial expressions, or to see the ones currently specified, click the Info button :

• To change the name or action assigned to a key, switch, or facial expression, double-click the item in the list, then follow the onscreen instructions.

• To add a new key, switch, or facial expression to the list, click the Add button , then follow the onscreen instructions.

• To remove a key, switch, or facial expression from the list, select it, then click the Remove button .

• To hear confirmation that your switch is recognized, turn on “Play sounds.”

• To see onscreen confirmation that your switch is recognized, turn on “Show actions visually.”

• To choose the camera to use to detect facial expressions, click Camera Options, then click the Camera pop-up menu.

  To customize the level of expressiveness the camera needs to detect in your facial expressions for an action to be taken, click the pop-up menu for an expression, then choose Slight, Default, or Exaggerated.

  (The same camera and level of expressiveness are used for both alternate pointer actions and head pointer.)

Note: A left-click, right-click, or double-click action occurs as soon as you use the specified switch. For example, if you set the switch for Left Click to the facial expression Stick Out Tongue, a left click occurs as soon as you stick out your tongue.

A drag-and-drop action requires you to use a switch twice: once to drag, then again to drop. For example, when you stick out your tongue, drag is activated; to drop, you must stick out your tongue again.

Headmouse Options

Move the pointer using the movement of your face or head as detected by the camera that’s built into or connected to your Mac. See Move the pointer using head pointer.

To customize, click the Info button :

• Pointer moves: Choose how you want the pointer to follow the movement of your face or head:

  When facing screen edges: The pointer follows the direction in which you turn your face away from the center of the screen, similar to how you move a joystick. To stop the pointer, turn your face to the center of the screen again. For example, if you turn your face toward the bottom right of the screen, the pointer moves toward that end of the Dock.

  Relative to head: The pointer follows the direction in which you move your head (regardless of where your face is turned), similar to how you move a mouse. To stop the pointer, stop moving your head. For example, if you move your head left (even though your face is turned to the right), the pointer moves to the left.

• Pointer speed: The speed at which the pointer moves when you turn your face or move your head. The lower the number, the slower the pointer moves; the higher the number, the faster it moves.

• Distance to edge: If head pointer is set to “When facing screen edges,” specify how far your face must be turned away from the center of the screen before the pointer starts moving. Set a higher number to help the camera differentiate between intentional and accidental movements.

• Use a switch or facial expression to pause or resume: To specify a facial expression to use to pause or resume head pointer, click the Info button , then follow the onscreen instructions. Pausing head pointer can be useful if you’re going to be away from your Mac for a while.

• Use a switch or facial expression to recalibrate: To specify a facial expression to use to recalibrate head pointer, click the Info button , then follow the onscreen instructions. See Recalibrate head pointer.

• Camera Options: To choose the camera to use to detect movement of your face or head, click Camera Options, then click the Camera pop-up menu.

  To customize the level of expressiveness the camera needs to detect in your facial expressions for an action to be taken, click the pop-up menu for an expression, then choose Slight, Default, or Exaggerated.

  (The same camera and level of expressiveness are used for both head pointer and alternate pointer actions.)