Greetings, Thanks for your comments. As a low vision user, I came into Ubuntu around 6 months ago. I felt similarly aggravated with the lack of accessibility, but much as improved since then. Though I do not have a perfect environment setup yet, we are making head way into our projects. I can actually sit 2 feet away from my computer, with my glasses off (20/400 vision!) and work in Firefox and Open Office. All with open source technology.
First, a sub-forum for accessibility in the main ubuntu page is asking a lot, even though I'd love to see it. Though I believe we are making much more headway than other distributions, we still do not have a huge following. I believe there was a meeting discussing setting up a forum for separate questions. I do not believe that has been investigated yet. Dapper will be greatly improving accessibility. To begin, the install will be accessible. Second, gnopernicus packages have improved, and speech can be turned on immediately after grabbing gnopernicus. The magnifier still seems to be an issue, but I am working on documentation on how to get it in a usable environment similar to Zoomtext. On the forums I have my signature as proud member of the Accessibility-Team. I should hotlink this to the web pages! I should also post more! Perhaps we can all do this? I have received several emails/Private messages with regards to this in my signature. #ubuntu-accessibility, if I remember correctly. Luke Idles in there and last semester I was in there idled 8 hours a day (while working). Now back at college with a vigorous schedule, I can't seem to stay/get in there. As the project strengthens our presence should increase. I am reminded of a wise philosopher (Field of Dreams) If you build it, they will come. A lot of what you are discussing is support. I think as we get the infrastructure in place, more disabled users will join ranks, etc. Looking forward to what we can continue to accomplish, Jason Grieves -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Melissa Draper Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2006 2:20 AM To: [email protected] Subject: accessibility & ubuntu 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 -- Ubuntu-accessibility mailing list [email protected] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-accessibility
