Computers assume a steady hand on a mouse and ten fingers on a keyboard. For people with tremor, arthritis, limited reach, low vision, or who simply find a busy desktop overwhelming, the same everyday tasks — start a video call, open email, turn the volume up — can be a struggle. A phone deck doesn't replace professional assistive technology, but it can remove a lot of small friction. Here's how to set one up thoughtfully.
Start with what Windows already offers. Windows 11 includes Voice access, Magnifier, Narrator, larger text and pointer sizes, Sticky Keys and more under Settings → Accessibility. A phone deck works alongside them.
Why big buttons help
- Large targets. A button a few centimetres wide is far easier to hit than a 16-pixel icon, especially with tremor.
- No key combinations. Ctrl+Shift+M becomes a single tap labeled "Mute".
- Fewer choices. A page with six labeled actions is calmer than a desktop full of windows — helpful for people with memory or attention difficulties.
- Positioning. A phone or tablet can sit wherever it's comfortable: on a lap tray, a wheelchair mount or a bedside stand.
Designing an accessible page
- Choose a small number of tasks the person does daily — call family, open email, play music, volume, sleep.
- Use a grid with fewer, larger buttons (SofaDeck Pro lets you pick the grid size).
- Label with plain words, not app names: "Call Mum" rather than "Teams".
- Put the most-used buttons where the thumb or finger naturally lands.
- Keep one "Help" button that does something reassuring, like opening a call with a family member.
A large-screen tablet on an adjustable floor stand or wheelchair-compatible mount gives even bigger buttons than a phone.
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Adding voice
Push-to-talk voice commands mean saying "volume up" or "press Call Mum" instead of finding a button at all. Because SofaDeck listens only while the mic button is held, there's no risk of TV dialogue triggering things. For full hands-free control of everything on screen, pair it with Windows Voice access — see how to control your PC with your voice.
Honest limits
- A deck only does what's been set up on it — someone has to build the buttons, which is easiest done by a helper at the PC.
- It needs the phone and PC on the same Wi-Fi, and the phone charged.
- People who need switch access, eye tracking or full screen-reader control of Windows should work with an assistive-technology specialist; a deck can complement those tools but not replace them.
We want SofaDeck to be genuinely usable for everyone. If you use it with assistive technology and something gets in the way, email us — it directly shapes what we fix next.
Frequently asked questions
Can a phone deck help someone with limited hand mobility use a PC?
It can reduce the precision needed: one large tap instead of steering a pointer to a small target, and push-to-talk voice commands instead of key combinations. It isn't a replacement for dedicated assistive technology, but it can make common tasks much easier.
Is SofaDeck compatible with screen readers?
The deck is a web page, and we build it with labeled buttons so phone screen readers (VoiceOver, TalkBack) can announce them. If something doesn't read well, please tell us at support@dixonappstudio.com — accessibility bugs are treated as bugs.