Anybody have experience with tablets for users with physical mobility limitations?
A family member, about 70, is mostly limited to a wheelchair for getting around. We've been working on the house over the years to make it as accessible as possible for them but, due to space, it is a small 1950's style rancher, there isn't much space for a dedicated PC workstation. I have tried a laptop already but being able to carry & move the laptop bag while working the wheelchair is not working out for them. Lately I've been thinking of switching them to a tablet.
Their primary usage would be email, viewing images, and maybe the occasional web site browsing. With that in mind I'm thinking either an iPad 2 or one of the non-premium Android tablets would do the job. I have their house configured for wi-fi access already and because they don't travel they would only need something with wi-fi access (as opposed to getting one with a 4G wireless plan) around the home.
What I'm not sure about is what OS to go with. Personally I am an Android fan and my household is totally Microsoft & Android. Other family members are Apple fans and believe in iOS devices. Between us we can help support a tablet of either OS for the person but it really doesn't help us decide since how we would use the device is different from how they would use it. In particular, I would want something that is very easy to navigate to easily and has a customizable 'home' screen as needed. With arthritis setting in a menu that requires a bunch of finger swipes on tiny little icons isn't going to work out. I would also want something that is very light for them to carry around with them while on the wheelchair and has a long battery life.
At the moment I am leaning towards a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 from the local Costco but want to make sure I consider all of the options first. So, what are your thoughts? Recommendations? Any experience with which ones to avoid?
A family member, about 70, is mostly limited to a wheelchair for getting around. We've been working on the house over the years to make it as accessible as possible for them but, due to space, it is a small 1950's style rancher, there isn't much space for a dedicated PC workstation. I have tried a laptop already but being able to carry & move the laptop bag while working the wheelchair is not working out for them. Lately I've been thinking of switching them to a tablet.
Their primary usage would be email, viewing images, and maybe the occasional web site browsing. With that in mind I'm thinking either an iPad 2 or one of the non-premium Android tablets would do the job. I have their house configured for wi-fi access already and because they don't travel they would only need something with wi-fi access (as opposed to getting one with a 4G wireless plan) around the home.
What I'm not sure about is what OS to go with. Personally I am an Android fan and my household is totally Microsoft & Android. Other family members are Apple fans and believe in iOS devices. Between us we can help support a tablet of either OS for the person but it really doesn't help us decide since how we would use the device is different from how they would use it. In particular, I would want something that is very easy to navigate to easily and has a customizable 'home' screen as needed. With arthritis setting in a menu that requires a bunch of finger swipes on tiny little icons isn't going to work out. I would also want something that is very light for them to carry around with them while on the wheelchair and has a long battery life.
At the moment I am leaning towards a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 from the local Costco but want to make sure I consider all of the options first. So, what are your thoughts? Recommendations? Any experience with which ones to avoid?