I originally posted the text below to the community chat yesterday, and UbuWu directed me to post it here as well...so I am.
Greetings, A few hours ago in the IRC #ubuntu channel, a vision impaired individual asked whether if there was any word-processor type packages that were more user-friendly for vision-impaired people than OpenOffice or Abiword. This person was directed to consult the development team in the #ubuntu-devel channel about possible remedies, and was not taken seriously due to a comment he had made earlier in the #ubuntu channel. First off, I would like to mention that I am aware of the port of Hoary to be accessible approximately a year ago, even before my involvement with Ubuntu began (see here). I am also aware that there is an accessibility team (see here) - although it does not seem to have much of a presence either in the forums or in the freenode IRC network. I am not visually-impaired, but nonetheless believe that this issue is something that should be taken seriously. Vision impairment is something that will strike many of us eventually, and it is unfortunate that some people aquire this problem earlier than others. As an outsider, I would like to make a few suggestions: - Forum: I believe it would be highly beneficial for there to be a sub-forum somewhere for people to post accessibility howtos, and for interested/affected people to ask questions and offer suggestions to each other. - IRC: This would be mainly beneficial for walk-ins, such as the individual tonight, where they can ask a question to people who can help them. Since the catchcry of Ubuntu is 'Linux for Human Beings', it's seems only fair that special effort is taken towards this issue and the existance of the accessibility team is an indication that this is being done. However, it seems silly that such an intitiative is such a hidden force. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the accessibility team for all their hard work. Although I have not the need for their efforts at this time, one day, I may. Meldra -- Ubuntu-accessibility mailing list [email protected] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-accessibility
