+1  A: 

Once you've scanned /proc/bus/input/devices for the appropriate event device you can use MAKEDEV to create it (character, major number 13, minor number 64+) and access it as usual.

Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams
Thanks, for responding, but I've got a follow on questions that I can't adequately format in this comment. (See EDIT-Igancio.)
Jamie
Jamie
Looks like your kernel doesn't have event support. You'll need to build and insert the module or rebuild the kernel.
Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams
Event support? I had no idea that it could actually be disabled in the kernel? Where do I find that option? (and why would the mouse still work?)
Jamie
If you're referring to the `CONFIG_EPOLL` option, it is set to `"yes"` (in "general/configure for small systems").
Jamie