Fixed it for you.

If it was my project I'd look for a pair of Suntour friction barcons. You could also use a pair of any-speed Shimanos in friction mode. I have a pair of Suntours on my 9-speed retro grouch bike and don't find them to be difficult or touchy to use in any way. I operate them with my pinky fingers so I never have to take my hands off of the bars or sit up and change my weight distribution.

One thing that I always wonder about in threads like this is how much (if any) input the projected user is providing. What does your wife think about this project?