| Things to look for: |
Possible solutions: |
| Elbows splayed out (shoulder
abduction) |
Lower worksurface
Lower chair armrests
Bring chair armrests in closer
Awareness and habit training |
| Raised or tensed shoulders |
Habit or tension training
Lower worksurface or keyboard
Lower chair armrests
Raise chair, if foot contact with
the floor can be maintained |
| Twisting the head to the side |
Bring viewed item closer to
mid line of view |
| Wrists bent to the sides when
using side keys |
Habit training
Keyboard with more accessible
keys or Microsoft's split keyboard design |
| Wrists bent back (extended) or
forward (flexed) for prolonged periods |
Habit training
Wrist rest
Lower, raise, or change slope
of the keyboard |
| Wrists or palms resting for long
periods on hard or sharp keyboard or worksurfaces |
Habit training
Wrist rest
Padded or rounded surfaces, corners |
| Rapid, sustained, or prolonged
keying |
Greater work variety
Aggressive break schedule
|
| Prolonged mouse use |
Greater work variety
Aggressive break schedule
Alternate hands
Alternative pointer devices
Arm support, including small table
Mouse close to body
(extended keyboard tray)
Learn keystroke subsitutes for
menus |
| Prolonged sitting, especially in
only one posture |
Greater work variety
Aggressive break schedule
Chair that supports posture change,
through movement, size,
or easy adjustability
Habit training
Check chair fit
Monitor in-out mechanism
Sit-stand worksurface |
| Lumbar back area not supported |
Lumbar cushion
Backrest height and tilt
Check chair fit, especially
backrest/lumbar height |
| Feet dangling, not well supported,
or a posture which seems to put pressure on the backs of the thighs |
Lower chair
Lower worksurface
Habit training
Foot rest (last resort) |
| Chair backrest not used for long
periods |
Check chair fit, especially seat
pan
depth and height
Check leg room
Check monitor distance
Habit training |
| Twisted torso |
Rearrange work
Provide more knee space
U-shaped worksurface layout
Swivel chair |
| Frequent or prolonged leaning or
reaching |
Rearrange work
Mouse pad wrist or forearm rest
Bring mouse and keyboard
closer to body |
| Working with one or both arms
"reaching" toward a mouse or keyboard |
Bring keyboard closer to body
Mouse pad wrist or forearm rest
Bring mouse closer to keyboard |
| Light sources that are in the line of sight
|
Cover or shield light sources
Rearrange work arena
Lower other viewed objects
to lower field of view |
| Reflected glare on the screen |
Shield light sources
Shade screen
Glare screen
Move monitor so light enter from
side angle, not back
Lower light levels
Move light sources |
| Too much contrast between screen
and surroundings or document; user feels relief when bright areas are shielded |
Lower ambient light levels
Turn off or dim task lights
Change screen polarity to
black on white |
| Monitor closer than approximately
40 cm |
Push monitor back
Habit training for reclining
Bring keyboard forward, possibly
with a slide out keyboard tray |
| Different viewed objects (screen,
documents) at different distances from the eyes |
Use document stand or
otherwise equalize distances
to within about 10 cm |
| Screen or documents not oriented
perpendicular to the line of sight |
Change monitor, document stand
angle |
| Prolonged near focusing throughout
the day with few far-focusing opportunities |
Habit training
Rearrange space to provide view
|
| Monitor image dim, fuzzy,
flickery, small, or otherwise difficult to read |
Upgrade monitor
Use software to enlarge image |
| Forward position of the head
(peering) or squinting |
Check for monitor image quality
problems or monitor distance
Suggest the student gets their
eyes checked. |
| Eyestrain complaints |
Check all aspects of visual
environment
Suggest consultation with vision
specialist |
| Neck extended backwards, head
tilted back, even slightly |
Remove CPU from under monitor
Remove tilt-swivel base from
monitor (leave ventilation space)
|
| Neck flexed (downward) |
Raise document or monitor to a
comfortable height
Adjust posture
Habit retraining
|