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Working with students with fine motor and mobility challenges

Purpose of this guide

This guide is for teachers and professionals who work with students who have physical disabilities affecting fine motor skills or mobility. It highlights some common challenges these students may face and suggests adaptations and practical advice.

There are separate guides coming soon, which will focus on visual impairments and deafness and hearing loss.

We welcome contributions to help us cover more scenarios or solutions. Send your thoughts, ideas, and comments to us at accessibility@microbit.org. We are hoping the community will help ensure this guide is accurate and stays relevant.

Common challenges

This section lists common challenges faced by students with motor disabilities when using the BBC micro:bit. Each challenge links to suggested workarounds detailed in the guidance section.

Pressing buttons A, B, reset, the touch sensor, or using gestures such as shake

If any of these are hard or not possible for your students, consider:

Projects that involve walking (or similar)

For projects, such as the step counter or movement data logger, you can modify the project goals for a more inclusive activity.

Using buttons to pair the micro:bit via Bluetooth

Bluetooth pairing used to involve holding down the A, B and reset buttons at the same time. It is now possible to:

Coding using a mouse or alternative input

Some students may find mouse control (particularly click-and-drag) difficult, or use alternative input methods such as a touch screen, standard keyboard, adapted keyboard, eye gaze or switch access.

Connecting cables

Including connecting the micro USB between micro:bit and computer, and connecting the battery pack using a JST cable

Using crocodile (alligator) clips

Some projects suggest using crocodile (alligator) clips including conductivity tester, movement alarm and scratch guitar, which requires high levels of dexterity and finger strength.

Adding accessories/external components

There are many accessories that extend the functionality of the micro:bit further. These are too diverse to cover individually here.

Fatigue and motivation

If some of the physical acts of working with the micro:bit prove to be challenging, or a student tires easily, it may be worth considering how to motivate their involvement up front.

  • Many educators find it helpful to start by exploring a working example (for instance one of the games available in the Make it: code it projects list) before working with a student to understand and then modify the code. This progression can help maintain engagement with the activity and learning goals while managing physical demands.

Saliva getting on the micro:bit

Students with disabilities may produce more saliva due to difficulties with the muscles and nerves that control swallowing, oral motor function, and saliva production. The micro:bit can be covered in a plastic see-through cover which can be used during the running of the code.

Specific guidance

Physical hardware adaptations

Including:

Mounting the micro:bit

Some students with physical disabilities may benefit from a way to mount the micro:bit so that they can operate it one handed or with less control, for example to press buttons without also needing to hold the micro:bit still, or tilt the micro:bit on a pivoting mount. There are various 3D-printed cases that have been created and shared by the micro:bit community, available on sites such as Printables.com or MyMiniFactory.

A 3d printed mount for the micro:bit shaped like a game controller to allow it to fit comfortably between palms of hands.

Microbit Controller by pabardini is licensed under CC-BY 4.0

A 3d printed mount for the micro:bit with round edges to fit comfortably between palms of hands.

BBC Microbit Controller Case with Detachable Battery Holder by Meub is licensed under CC-BY 4.0

A 3d printed mount for the micro:bit shaped like a steering wheel.

3D Printable Micro:Racing by Lucie Laborde

A gooseneck mount with a universal adaptor or custom clamp can be helpful for clamping the micro:bit to a table or wheelchair, making it easier to access and operate.

A black gooseneck mount is clamped the edge of a table. A micro:bit is attached via a 3d-printed mounting clamp at the end of the flexible arm, to allow for easy access and operation.

Loreto Dumitrescu

It is also possible to buy a mountable micro:bit case to attach to a DIY base, for example to give a student a larger object to hold and shake. When sourcing a case, make sure it is suitable for the correct version of the micro:bit that you are working with (micro:bit V1 or V2) since the dimensions differ slightly. If you are not sure, see the guidance at which version of micro:bit do I have?.

There are also a number of micro:bit game controllers available which may provide an easier way to hold the micro:bit as well as exposing different sized buttons to press.

A black handheld board shaped like a game controller with a micro:bit slotted into the top. The board has a joystick and 4 coloured buttons.
Bit:Commander, a red handheld game controller board with 4 buttons, a joystick and dial. There is a slot at the top of the board where a micro:bit can be mounted.

Connecting switches to the micro:bit

Some students with physical disabilities may already use switches to communicate and/or control their devices.

Many such switches can be connected to a micro:bit to be used as an alternative input (instead of button A and B, for example). For more information, see this guide on using switches with the micro:bit which details different ways to connect switches, and a range of options for cheap DIY switches.

An illustration showing a 3.5mm to crocodile clip adaptor used to attach a switch to pin inputs

Ross Atkin Associates

Alternatives to alligator clips

The pins of the micro:bit fit either alligator (crocodile) clips, or 4mm banana plugs (into the holes). Banana plugs may require more strength to connect, but less fine motor control than crocodile clips, so may be helpful for some students.

A micro:bit on a desk with green and red crocodile clips next to it. The crocodile clips are attached to hooks made of aluminium foil, ready to be connected to a micro:bit pin.
A micro:bit on a desk with green and red crocodile clips attached to pin 0 and GND using hooks made of aluminium foil.

Instead of using bespoke adaptors or crocodile clips, which can cause a dexterity challenge, it is often possible to improvise connections and electrical circuits by getting creative with aluminium foil. For example, instead of connecting a crocodile clip to a micro:bit’s pin input, you might create a hook shape from a roll of foil that you supply pre-attached to crocodile clips, allowing students to connect it to the appropriate pins, or join to other foil components.

The holes for each pin are also the correct size to accept an M4 bolt, which allows you to connect wires by hooking them around a bolt and making sure they are touching the copper pads.

A side view of a micro:bit with nylon bolts through a pin hole. A small gap remains to allow wire to be hooked round the bolt before tightening.

Bill Siever

Front view of a micro:bit with a nylon M4 bolt through the GND pin hole, showing someone inserting a wire from a 3-conductor cable with stripped jacket.

Bill Siever

Modular systems for building circuits

You can extend the micro:bit functionality using a wide range of accessories. If you are working with students with dexterity impairments, it is important to choose accessories that minimise connections requiring good hand dexterity. For example, Jacdac, PlayGround, micro:bit Tinker Kit, snap:bit and TapeBlocks feature either larger components and circuits, or simplified standard connectors to allow students to build complex projects with various external components without needing to work directly with wires, crocodile clips or jumper wires, which all require good hand dexterity.

A Jacdac breakout board with a micro:bit attached, and a range of external components all connected via Jacdac cables.

Microsoft Jacdac

The 4tronix plyaground system, showing a breakout board with bespoke 3.5mm connectors and a range of accessories such as LEDs, switches, and a buzzer.

4tronix

A micro:bit is docked to a Snap:bit board, attached to large plastic electronic components which work as wires, and a switch to make a smiley face appear on the micro:bit

Snap:bit

A Tinker Kit in a box, showing a micro:bit attached to the edge connector and to a computer via USB cable. There are various buttons, LEDs and other components in the box.

Tinker Kit from Tinkercademy

A micro:bit with banana plugs connected to pin 0 and GND, leading to two foam TapeBlocks covered in conductive foil strips. The top TapeBlock holds an LED which is on. The micro:bit is also connected to a USB cable.

TapeBlocks

Connections and data transfer

Including:

Download programs to your micro:bit over Bluetooth

It is possible to avoid using the USB connection by downloading code using a Bluetooth connection, if you are using an Android device or Apple iPad/iPhone. This is detailed in the Transfer code to the micro:bit user guide.

There was previously a MakeCode experiment that added support for Bluetooth flashing from PC, however this is no longer functional as of the MakeCode 2020 release. More discussion can be found at Bluetooth Download feature.

Pair the micro:bit without holding down multiple buttons

You can use Bluetooth to download programs to the micro:bit on a smartphone or tablet (Android or Apple iOS).

In the past, the process of Bluetooth pairing required pressing buttons A and B simultaneously and then pressing reset to enter Bluetooth pairing mode.

It is now possible to enter pairing mode by pressing the reset button 3 times instead. If this is not working for you, first download any freshly created micro:bit program from MakeCode using a USB cable. You can use the simple program on our Reset the micro:bit page or one of your own. This program will contain the latest pairing process as part of the .hex file and will update your micro:bit to allow it to use the new method.

For more information about sending programs to the micro:bit using Bluetooth, see micro:bit iOS app: creating and sending programs on an Apple iPad or iPhone.

Minimise unplugging and reattaching cables

A micro:bit V2 lies flat on a desk with a micro USB cable already attached and looped round itself.

In a classroom setting, it can be useful to leave the USB cable permanently attached to the micro:bit, so students are only responsible for plugging in the larger USB-A end into the computer.

Battery packs are only required for projects where the micro:bit needs to be detached from the computer when in use, for example when used as a step counter or fitness tracker. When doing these projects, it may be easiest to provide the micro:bits with battery packs already attached for everyone at the start of the class.

Alternatively, some teachers prefer to instruct their students to remove the batteries from the battery pack rather than unplugging it from the micro:bit when they are finished with it. This way the JST cable can remain permanently attached.

The micro:bit V2 can be put into low power mode if you leave battery packs plugged in by holding down the reset button. This is useful when leaving micro:bits for a short time but it still uses some battery power so we do not recommend leaving them in low power mode when you pack them away for long periods.

Using adapters to help with USB and battery connections

A photo of a magnetic USB cable adaptor. The end part is already attached to the micro USB port on the micro:bit and the cable will snap on magnetically.
Image of the branded micro:bit battery pack with on/off switch option. Licensing: official micro:bit product
A JST extension cable with an inline on/off switch. Emailed for image rights.

If a student finds it difficult to connect and disconnect the microUSB cable, and cannot use Bluetooth instead, they could use a magnetic USB data cable to make it easy to connect and disconnect the cable. The USB connector could remain permanently attached to their micro:bit, and then the cable easily snaps on and off with the magnetic connection. Make sure you choose a cable that includes a microUSB connector, and is sold as a “data” cable and not just suitable for charging. Note that this solution involves a small magnetic part, which may not be suitable in all settings and may interfere with projects that use the magnetometer.

If connecting and disconnecting the battery pack is a challenge, you could either power the micro:bit directly from USB, buy a battery pack with an integrated switch or use a JST Extension Cable with On/Off Switch to keep the micro:bit permanently attached to your existing battery pack.

The micro:bit V2 can be put into low power mode if you leave battery packs plugged in by holding down the reset button. This is useful when leaving micro:bits for a short time but it still uses some battery power so we do not recommend leaving them in low power mode when you pack them away for long periods.

Software adaptations

Including:

Tips to make click and drag easier

Placing and moving blocks in MakeCode typically requires dragging blocks using a trackpad, mouse or touch controls. This can be challenging for some students.

Click and drag can be avoided entirely by using keyboard controls in MakeCode. But for students who prefer to use a mouse or pointer for some of their coding, this guide on click and drag outlines a variety of hardware, assistive settings and alternative approaches.

Using MakeCode with touch controls

For some students who struggle to use a keyboard mouse or trackpad, using a finger to drag blocks on a touch screen may be easier. MakeCode supports touch input on any device with a touchscreen, including Android tablets, Apple iPads, or Windows tablets.

See our instructions for getting started with coding on different devices for more details.

Some students may find a capacitive stylus helpful for more precise touchscreen control. The Sixth-Finger / Sixth-Toe Capacitive Stylus offers a 3D-printable bespoke option, while Touch Screen Accessibility: Low-Tech Adaptations and Stylus Hacks - Equip2Adapt demonstrates simple low-tech alternatives.

Using keyboard controls with MakeCode

As of MakeCode’s 2025 release, keyboard accessibility is available by turning on Keyboard Controls in the settings menu. This is currently under active development and we welcome feedback.

A screenshot showing the "Keyboard controls On" option in the MakeCode settings menu

You can find more information about keyboard controls at the following links:

Using keyboard controls with the Python Editor

The micro:bit Python Editor is accessible using standard keyboard-based web navigation, for example you can use Tab to move around elements on the page. To use code snippets from the documentation reference pane in your code, select them using Tab and then press Enter to copy the code snippet.

The Python Editor also has various shortcuts to help quickly perform key actions, which are detailed in the Python Editor accessibility statement.

Using alternative inputs in projects, for example instead of button A, B or shake

If students find it difficult to press buttons A and B, or perform gestures like shake, the micro:bit offers many alternative input options that can be easily implemented by changing the event blocks in your project's code. Alternatives include using different gestures, the touch-sensitive logo, sound activation, or connecting external switches - allowing you to adapt any project to match individual students' capabilities.

Detailed instructions for swapping to an alternative input

Modify project goals

Some commonly used projects such as the step counter or movement data logger are designed for students who walk, and may need to be adapted for students who mobilise in a different way.

The teacher resource for the BBC micro:bit playground survey include suggestions on how to adapt activities for students who use a wheelchair or mobility aid in the data logging and analysis. Wheelchair users may also be interested in the flashing wheels and wheelchair distance logger projects.

Related links

Case studies - using a micro:bit for assistive applications

Other relevant examples

Bespoke hardware modifications

Third party content

This document includes links to third party content. We have included these as examples of products or resources that may be useful. However, the Micro:bit Educational Foundation does not have any official link to these products.

Contribute your feedback

We welcome contributions to help us cover more scenarios or solutions. Send your thoughts, ideas, and comments to us at accessibility@microbit.org. We are hoping the community will help ensure this guide is accurate and stays relevant.