mirror of https://github.com/tLDP/LDP
668 lines
45 KiB
XML
668 lines
45 KiB
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<?xml version="1.0"?>
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<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC '-//OASIS//DTD DocBook XML V4.1.2//EN' "http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/xml/4.2/docbookx.dtd">
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<article id="Accessibility-HOWTO">
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<articleinfo>
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<title>Linux Accessibility HOWTO</title>
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<author>
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<firstname>Michael</firstname>
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<surname>De La Rue</surname>
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</author>
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<author>
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<firstname>Sharon</firstname>
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<surname>Snider</surname>
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<authorblurb><para><ulink url="mailto:snidersd@us.ibm.com">snidersd@us.ibm.com</ulink></para></authorblurb>
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</author>
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<pubdate>v3.1, June 21, 2002</pubdate>
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<abstract><para>The Linux Accessibility HOWTO covers the use of adaptive technologies that are available for the Linux operating
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system, as well as the software applications and hardware devices that can be installed to make Linux accessible to users with
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disabilities. The information provided targets specific groups of individuals with similar disabilities.</para></abstract>
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<legalnotice>
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<para>The Access-HOWTO is copyrighted (c) 1996 by Michael De La Rue</para>
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<para>The following terms are trademarks and registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States and/or other countries: IBM and ViaVoice. A full list of trademarks may be found at <ulink url="http://www.ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml"></ulink>. Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. Java and all Java-based trademarks are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or both.</para>
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</legalnotice>
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<revhistory id="revhistory">
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<revision>
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<revnumber>v3.1</revnumber>
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<date>2002-06-21</date>
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<authorinitials>sds</authorinitials>
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<revremark>
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Updated and converted to DocBook XML.
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</revremark>
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</revision>
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<revision>
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<revnumber>v3.0</revnumber>
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<date>2001-10-25</date>
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<authorinitials>sds</authorinitials>
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<revremark>
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Updated and converted to DocBook SGML.
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</revremark>
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</revision>
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<revision>
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<revnumber>v2.11</revnumber>
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<date>1997-03-28</date>
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<authorinitials>mdlr</authorinitials>
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<revremark>
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Last Linuxdoc revision.
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</revremark>
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</revision>
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</revhistory>
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</articleinfo>
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<sect1 id="Introduction"> <title>Introduction</title>
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<para>The purpose of this HOWTO is to introduce the tools, applications, and configuration utilities that are available to
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Linux users who are disabled. The information provided targets groups of individuals with the following disabilities:</para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem><para><link linkend="visual"><emphasis role="strong">Visually Impaired</emphasis></link></para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><link linkend="hearing"><emphasis role="strong">Hearing Impaired</emphasis></link></para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><link linkend="physical"><emphasis role="strong">Physically Disabled</emphasis></link></para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><link linkend="other"><emphasis role="strong">Cognitive, Language, and Other
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Impairments</emphasis></link></para></listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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<para>Please send any comments, or contributions via e-mail to <ulink url="mailto:snidersd@us.ibm.com"> Sharon Snider. </ulink>
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This document will be updated regularly with new contributions and suggestions.</para>
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<sect2>
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<title>Distribution Policy</title>
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<para>The Access-HOWTO may be distributed, at your choice, under either the terms of the GNU Public License version 2 or later or
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the standard Linux Documentation Project (LDP) terms. These licenses should be available from the LDP Web site:
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<ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/docs.html"></ulink>. Please note that since the LDP terms do not allow modification (other
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than translation), modified versions can be assumed to be distributed under the GPL.</para>
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<para>ViaVoice® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.</para>
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</sect2>
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</sect1>
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<sect1 id="LinuxOS">
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<title>The Linux Operating System</title>
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<para>The Linux operating system has many software applications and utilities that run in the non-graphical environment. The
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graphical user interface (GUI), which is often referred to as X Windows, is clearly separate from the underlying
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non-graphical, text-only environment. One major reason that a visually impaired individual can use Linux is that network
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connectivity is built in to the operating system and provides full access to the Internet from the non-graphical interface.
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All visible text on the screen can be translated using a screen reader and speech synthesizer.</para>
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<para>Over the past few years many improvements have been made to the GUI, and many of the desktops now
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provide features and enhancements designed for accessibility. In the following sections you will find information on the tools,
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utilities, and applications that are available to assist users in configuring their desktop environment.</para>
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<sect2>
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<title>Assistive Technologies Available for Linux</title>
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<para>Assistive technologies are computer hardware devices and software applications that provide individuals with impairments
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access to the information and applications on a computer. Although there are not many commercial applications available
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specifically for Linux accessibility, there are free software applications that can make the computer more accessible.
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Detailed information on assistive technologies that are available has been listed in this document based on the type of
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disability.</para>
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</sect2>
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<sect2>
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<title>Usability</title>
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<para>Linux has the advantage over Windows that a large majority of Linux software has been developed for the console. Although
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many programs are now being developed for the GUI, programs continue to be written for the non-graphical,
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text-based environment. Linux originated as a programmer's operating system and, for the physically disabled, this means that it
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is easy to build and customize programs to suit an individual's needs.</para>
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<para>The windowing system used by Linux (X11) includes many programming tools that enable further modification and customization
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of the GUI. KDE and GNOME have included many accessibility and usability features in their latest
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releases and are continuing to test, upgrade, and enhance the graphical environment. The following are links to KDE and GNOME's
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accessibility and usability projects:</para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem><para>KDE Accessibility Project - <ulink url="http://accessibility.kde.org/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>GNOME Accessibility Project - <ulink url="http://developer.gnome.org/projects/gap/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>KDE Usability Project - <ulink url="http://usability.kde.org/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>GNOME Usability Project - <ulink url="http://developer.gnome.org/projects/gup/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect2>
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</sect1>
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<sect1 id="visual">
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<title>Visual Impairments</title>
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<para>There are two categories of visual impairments. Individuals who are partially sighted (for example, blurred vision, near
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and far-sightedness, color blindness) and those who are totally blind. Assistive technologies are available for the Linux
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operating system for visually impaired users, and many of the software packages are free.</para>
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<sect2>
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<title>Technologies for the Visually Impaired</title>
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<para>The following is a list of assistive technologies for visually impaired users:</para>
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<sect3><title>Screen Readers</title>
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<para>Screen readers are software applications that are installed on the computer to provide translation of the information
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on the computer screen to an audio output format. The translation is passed to the speech synthesizer and the words are spoken
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out loud. Currently, fully functional screen readers are only available for Linux in console mode. This section describes some of
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the most common screen readers.</para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Emacspeak </emphasis>is the complete Audio Desktop is an excellent non-graphical, text
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based interface for users who are visually
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impaired. This application can be used as a screen reader in conjunction with a hardware synthesizer or IBM ViaVoice®
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Run-time text-to-speech application. More information and software packages of are available at:
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<ulink url="http://www.cs.cornell.edu/home/raman/emacspeak/"></ulink>. The Emacspeak HOWTO
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<ulink url="http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/"></ulink> includes a tutorial and
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installation guide.
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</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Jupiter Speech System </emphasis>is a screen reader for Linux in console mode. A user guide
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and software packages are available at:
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<ulink url="http://www.eklhad.net/linux/jupiter/"></ulink>.</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Screader </emphasis>is a screen reader for Linux in console mode that works with the
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Festival software speech synthesizer and the Accent hardware synthesizer. Information and downloads are available at:
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<ulink url="http://www.euronet.nl/~acj/eng-screader.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Speaker </emphasis>is a new plugin for the Konqueror file manager and Web browser.
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Speaker provides Text to Speech using the Festival speech system or IBM ViaVoice. Downloads are available at:
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<ulink url="http://dogma.freebsd-uk.eu.org/~grrussel/speaker.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Speakup </emphasis> is a screen review package for the Linux operating system. It requires
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a hardware speech synthesizer, such as the DecTalk Express. An installation boot disk and packages are available at: <ulink url="http://www.linux-speakup.org/"></ulink> that allow a
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visually impaired user to install the Linux operating system. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">ZipSpeak </emphasis>is a talking mini-distribution of Linux.
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More information and software packages are available at:
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<ulink url="http://www.linux-speakup.org/zipspeak.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect3>
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<sect3><title>Speech Synthesizers</title>
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<para>Speech synthesizers can be a hardware device or a text to speech (TTS) software application that creates the sounds
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necessary to provide speech output. Hardware synthesizers are available for the Linux operating system; however, they can
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be very expensive and must be compatible with the screen reader application in order to function properly. The alternative is to
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download and install a software synthesizer such as IBM's ViaVoice or Festival and configure the application to a compatible
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screen reader, such as Emacspeak.</para>
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<sect4><title>Hardware Speech Synthesizers</title>
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<para>A hardware speech synthesizer is a device that is connected to the computer's serial or parallel port and translates the
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text to a spoken output. Normally there are Braille labels on all controls to indicate the off and on position, and volume
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control. Hardware synthesizers also have the ability to speak in different tones that can be setup to indicate various parts of a
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document or text. Some models will provide a connection for headphones. The following is a list of speech
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synthesizers that are supported on the Linux operating system and can be used with Emacspeak: </para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para><emphasis role="strong">Accent SA and Apollo 2 </emphasis>(<ulink url="http://polio.dyndns.org/chip/vss.html"></ulink>)
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</para> </listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">DECTalk Express </emphasis>(<ulink url="http://www.4access.com/synthesizers.asp"></ulink>) </para> </listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">DoubleTalk </emphasis>(<ulink url="http://www.rcsys.com"></ulink>) </para></listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect4>
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<sect4><title>Software Speech Synthesizers</title>
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<para> A software speech synthesizer is an application that translates the text on the screen to speech output and provides
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speech synthesis, so that the screen reader application can read information out loud to the user. </para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Festival </emphasis>is a general, multi-lingual speech synthesis system developed at the
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Center for Speech Technology Research (CSTR). It offers a full TTS system with various application program interfaces, as well as
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an environment for development and research of speech synthesis techniques. Mbrola or FestVox are needed to complete the Festival
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installation. Software packages and installation instructions are available at:
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<ulink url="http://www.cstr.ed.ac.uk/projects/festival/"></ulink>. </para> </listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Mbrola </emphasis>is a speech synthesizer that can be used with a TTS application, such
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as, Festival to provide speech output. More information is available at:
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<ulink url="http://tcts.fpms.ac.be/synthesis/mbrola.html"></ulink>. </para> </listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect4>
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</sect3>
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<sect3><title>Screen Magnifiers</title>
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<para>Screen magnifiers enable users that are partially sighted to view selected areas of the screen in a manner similar to using
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a magnifying glass. </para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">GMag </emphasis>is a screen magnifier for X Windows. It provides continuous magnification
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while you work, as well as the option to change the contrast of images at run-time. More information and downloads are available
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at:
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<ulink url="http://projects.prosa.it/gmag/"></ulink>. </para> </listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Puff </emphasis>is a screen magnifier for users who need a high magnification of text and
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graphics
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in X Windows. Puff follows the focus of the mouse or pointer and enlarges the portion of the screen under the cursor. In order
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for Puff to run properly on Linux the source code needs to be modified. This application is not a good option for inexperienced
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users. The software packages and source code modification instructions are available at:
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<ulink url="http://trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/unix/unixshare.html"></ulink>. </para> </listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">SVGATextmode </emphasis> enlarges or reduces the font size for users who perfer to work in
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console
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mode. The normal text screen that Linux provides is 80 characters across and 25 vertically. After SVGATextmode is installed, the
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text can be displayed much larger. One example would be 50 characters across and 15 vertically. The program does not offer the
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ablitity to zoom in and out, but the user can re-size when necessary. The most current download is available at:
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<ulink url="http://freshmeat.net/projects/svgatextmode/"></ulink>.
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Do not run try to run SVGATextmode from an X Windows terminal. You must be in console mode for the display to
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function properly.</para> </listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">UnWindows </emphasis>is a collection of programs that includes Dynamag, a screen
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magnification program that helps the user locate the mouse pointer. The source code is available for Dynamag as a stand alone
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application, or the entire UnWindows package can be downloaded at:
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<ulink url="http://www.cs.rpi.edu/pub/unwindows/"></ulink>. The entire UnWindows package will not work with Linux without
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programming modifications. However, the Dynamag
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application can be installed successfully without any additional code changes.</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Xzoom </emphasis> is a screen magnifier similar to Xmag that allows the user to magnify
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rotate or mirror a portion of the screen. The most current download is available at:
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<ulink url="http://filewatcher.org/sec/xzoom.html"></ulink>. </para> </listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect3>
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<sect3><title>Adjusting the Screen's Resolution</title>
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<para>The X Windows server can be setup with different screen resolutions. The ability to adjust the screen's resolution allows a partially sighted user to magnify the screen with a single key sequence. The steps to set up your system are as follows:</para>
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<orderedlist>
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<listitem><para>Changed directories, <emphasis role="strong">type cd /etc</emphasis></para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>Using a text editor, open the <emphasis role="strong">XF86Config</emphasis> file</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>Locate the line beginning with Modes and change it to <screen>Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" "320x240"</screen> Note: The settings may vary based your monitor's highest resolution mode.</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>Save the file and exit.</para></listitem>
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</orderedlist>
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<para>To enlarge the text on the screen type <emphasis role="strong">Ctrl+Alt+keypad-plus</emphasis> and to make the text smaller type <emphasis role="strong">Ctrl+Alt+keypad-minus</emphasis></para>
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</sect3>
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<sect3><title>Braille Devices</title>
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<para>Braille terminals are normally used by individuals who are totally blind and may be hearing impaired as well. A
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Braille display uses a series of pins to form Braille symbols that are continuously updated as the users changes focus.
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A Braille embosser is a hardware device for printing a hard copy of a text document in Braille. Braille translation
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software is required to translate the on-screen text to a Braille format.</para>
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<sect4><title>Braille Hardware Devices</title>
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<para> The following Braille devices have been listed on the hardware compatibility list of one or more of the following Braille
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translation applications:</para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Braillex </emphasis>
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<ulink url="http://www.redhat.com/mailing-lists/blinux-announce/msg00031.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Alva B.V.</emphasis>: ABT3xx, Delphi (serial and parallel ports), Satellite.
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<ulink url="http://www.alva-bv.nl/alvacorp/alva_corp_home.html">
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</ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Baum</emphasis>: Vario/RBT 40/80 (emulation 1/2)
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<ulink url="http://www.baum.de/English/homeeng1.htm"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Blazie Engineering</emphasis>: BrailleLite 18/40
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<ulink url="http://www.freedomscientific.com/index.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Handialog</emphasis>: VisioBraille 2040
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<ulink url="http://www.handialog.com/indexuk.htm"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Handy Tech Elektronik GmbH</emphasis>: BrailleWave, mod20, mod40, mod80
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<ulink url="http://www.handytech.de/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">MDV</emphasis>: MB208/MB408L/MB408S (protocol 5)
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<ulink url="http://www.cavazza.it/cnt/schede/scheda-mb408l-eng.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Pulse Data International</emphasis>: BrailleNote 18/32
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<ulink url="http://www.pulsedata.co.nz/graphics.htm"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Telesensory Systems Inc.</emphasis>: Navigator 20/40/80 (latest firmware version only),
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PowerBraille 40/65/80 <ulink url="http://www.telesensory.com/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Tieman B.V.</emphasis>: CombiBraille 25/45/85, MiniBraille 20, MultiBraille
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MB125CR/MB145CR/MB185CR
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<ulink url="http://www.braillevoyager.nl/uk/index.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Tiflosoft</emphasis>: VideoBraille 40
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<ulink url="http://www.tinlecco.it/tiflosoft/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect4>
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<sect4><title>Braille Translation Software</title>
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<para>The following Braille translation applications are available for download:</para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Brass </emphasis>is a new program that combines speech and Braille output. The current
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version is still in testing and can be downloaded at: <ulink url="http://www.butenuth.onlinehome.de/blinux/"></ulink>.
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</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">BrLTTY </emphasis>supports parallel port and USB Braille displays and provides access to the Linux
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console. It drives the terminal and provides complete screen review capabilities. It is available at:
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<ulink url="http://dave.mielke.cc/brltty/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
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<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">NFBTrans </emphasis>is a freeware Braille translator written by the National Federation for
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the Blind (NFB). Software packages are available for download at: <ulink url="http://www.nfb.org/nfbtrans.htm"></ulink>. </para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect4>
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</sect3>
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<sect3><title>Cursors for X Windows</title>
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<para>Changing the shape and size of the mouse cursor can help users who have a problem following or seeing the cursor. The
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X Big Cursor mini HOWTO explains how to configure enlarged mouse cursors with the X Windows system. This HOWTO is available at:
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<ulink url="http://www.icewalk.com/doclib/howtos/mini/X-Big-Cursor.html"></ulink>. </para>
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<para>There are also a large select of cursors that can be downloaded at:
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<ulink url="http://themes.tucows.com/cursors.html"></ulink>. </para>
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</sect3>
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<sect3><title>Audio</title>
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<para>Audio can be very useful to users who are visually impaired. In most X Windows desktop environments audio
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alerts and sound events can be setup within the desktop control center by enabling sound and verifying that the option to show
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sound is activated. You will need to check the desktop users manual for setup and configuration of sound events.</para>
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<para><emphasis role="strong">Locktones </emphasis>is an excellent application for providing toggle keys that sound an audio
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alert to warn the user that a keystroke has created a locking state such as Cap Locks, or Num Locks. The application can be
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downloaded at:
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<ulink url="http://leb.net/pub/blinux/"></ulink>. </para>
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<para>Linux can also be configured to beep at the login prompt so the user knows when to type in the password. A configuration
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utility can be downloaded and installed that can provide this function at:
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<ulink url="http://leb.net/pub/blinux/bootmeup/"></ulink>. </para>
|
|
</sect3>
|
|
|
|
<sect3><title>Additional Resources</title>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Access Mozilla </emphasis> has a goal to build an accessible Web suite: browser, e-mail,
|
|
news, composer and chat that conform to the W3C accessibility standards. More information is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://access-mozilla.sourceforge.net/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Blind + Linux = BLINUX </emphasis>provides documentation, downloads and a mailing
|
|
list that focus on users who are blind. Information and software packages are available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://leb.net/blinux"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">LaTex/Tex </emphasis>is an extremely powerful document preparation system and it can be
|
|
used to produce large print documents. More information is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.emerson.emory.edu/services/latex/latex_toc.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">National Federation for the Blind's (NFB) purpose is to help blind persons achieve
|
|
self-confidence and self-respect and to act as a vehicle for collective self expression by the blind.
|
|
Information for blind users, as well as software are available at: </emphasis>
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.nfb.org/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Project Ocularis </emphasis>is run by volunteers, and the project's aim is to improve Linux
|
|
accessibility through the creation of new free software and the modification of pre-existing free software. More information is
|
|
available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://ocularis.sourceforge.net"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Screen </emphasis>is a standard piece of software that allows many different applications
|
|
to run at the same time on a single terminal in console mode. Screen has been enhanced to support some Braille terminals
|
|
directly. It is available for download at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.icewalk.com/softlib/app/app_01508.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">SuSE Linux </emphasis>is the first Linux distribution to support installation of the
|
|
Linux operating system and applications that run on Linux in Braille. The Blinux screen reader runs in the background to enable
|
|
visually impaired users to work in a Linux console environment. More information is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.suse.de/us/products/susesoft/70news/new_in_70.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">xocr </emphasis>is an optical character recognition program that scans written text,
|
|
such as a book
|
|
and translates it to audio output, so the information is available to visually impaired users. More information is
|
|
available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://sal.unimedya.net.tr/Z/3/XOCR.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect3>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
<sect1 id="hearing"><title>Hearing Impaired</title>
|
|
<para>For users who have hearing impairments the audio output must be conveyed visually on the screen. Most desktops provide
|
|
visual audio alerts and warnings. In console mode the system can also be configured to provide visual bells. There is a
|
|
"Visual Bells mini-HOWTO" written by Alessandro Rubini that provides the configuration details available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/mini/"></ulink>. </para>
|
|
|
|
<sect2><title>Assistive Technologies for the Hearing Impaired</title>
|
|
<para>The following is a list of assistive technologies for the hearing impaired:</para>
|
|
|
|
<sect3><title>Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD)</title>
|
|
<para>TDD allows for the user you to communicate over the telephone using the
|
|
computer as a text terminal.</para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong"> Zapata </emphasis>is a computer-based, high-density telephony project. The current version
|
|
is available for download as source code on at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.zapatatelephony.org/project.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect3>
|
|
|
|
<sect3><title>Closed Captioning</title>
|
|
<para>Closed captioning provides text translation of spoken words to video display. Closed captioning can be used for distance
|
|
learning, video-teleconferencing, audio from a CD-ROM, and other types of interactive technology.</para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Ccdecoder </emphasis>is a closed captioned, extended data services decoder for the bttv
|
|
and video4linux based tv video cards:
|
|
<ulink url="http://sourceforge.net/projects/ccdecoder/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect3>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
<sect1 id="physical"><title>Physically Disabled</title>
|
|
<para>There are a wide range of physical disabilities that can impair a user's mobility, and many of these impairments need to be
|
|
addressed on an individual basis. This section addresses impairments that apply to users who have difficulty using a mouse,
|
|
pointing device, or keyboard.</para>
|
|
|
|
<sect2><title>Keyboard Navigation</title>
|
|
<para>There are features that are built into the Linux operating system that allow for additional keyboard configuration. In some
|
|
of the X Windows desktops these settings can be changed from the control center. An application has also been developed for X
|
|
Windows called AccessX and it provides a graphical user interface for configuring all the AccessX keyboard
|
|
settings. These settings are:</para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">StickyKeys </emphasis>enable the user to lock modifier keys (for example,
|
|
control and shift) allowing single finger operations in place of multiple key combinations.</para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">MouseKeys </emphasis>provide alternative keyboard sequences for cursor movement and mouse
|
|
button operations.</para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">SlowKeys </emphasis>requires the user to hold the key down for a specified period of time
|
|
before the keystroke is accepted. This prevents keystrokes that are pressed by accident from being sent.</para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">ToggleKeys</emphasis> sound an audio alert that warns the user that a keystroke created a
|
|
locking state for keys, such as Caps Lock, and Num Lock. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">RepeatKeys </emphasis>allow a user with limited coordination additional time to release
|
|
keys before multiple key sequences are sent to the application.</para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">BounceKeys </emphasis>or <emphasis role="strong">Delay Keys </emphasis>have a delay between
|
|
keystrokes. This function can help prevent the system from accepting unintentional keystrokes.</para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
<sect2><title>Assistive Technologies for the Physically Disabled</title>
|
|
<para>The following is a list of assistive technologies for the physically disabled:</para>
|
|
|
|
<sect3><title>On-Screen Keyboard</title>
|
|
<para>On-screen keyboards enable a user to select keys using a pointing device, such as a mouse, trackball, or touch pad.
|
|
This application can be used in place of a standard keyboard.</para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">GTkeyboard </emphasis>is a on-screen, graphical keyboard and can be downloaded at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://opop.nols.com/gtkeyboard.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">GNOME Onscreen Keyboard (GOK)</emphasis>is a on-screen, graphical keyboard that enables users to control their computer without having to rely on a standard keyboard or mouse. MOre information is available at <ulink url="http://www.gok.ca"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect3>
|
|
|
|
<sect3><title>Speech Recognition</title>
|
|
<para>Speech recognition utilities are used by people with mobility impairments, so they can operate the computer using
|
|
voice control.</para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Open Mind Speech </emphasis>is a development project for
|
|
speech recognition tools and applications. Information for the project and a mailing list are available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://freespeech.sourceforge.net/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">ViaVoice Dictation for Linux </emphasis>allows you to write documents using your
|
|
voice rather than a keyboard. Information and downloads are available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www-4.ibm.com/software/speech/dev/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para>This site has information and links related to several different speech recognition utilities.
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/unix/unixshar.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect3>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
|
|
<sect2><title>Additional Resources</title>
|
|
<para>The following is a list of additional Web sites that may be of interest to users with mobility
|
|
impairments:
|
|
</para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para>This site provides a kernel patch that can be downloaded to enable a one-handed keyboard. The download is
|
|
available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.fourtytwo.de"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para>Configuration and information on Adapting the Linux Keyboard for a one handed user is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.eklhad.net/linux/app/onehand.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Morseall </emphasis>allows the user to control a Linux shell by tapping Morse code on the
|
|
left mouse button:
|
|
<ulink url="http://sourceforge.net/projects/morseall"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para>The keyboard and console HOWTO provides additional keyboard configuration information.
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/Keyboard-and-Console-HOWTO"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para>There is a <emphasis role="strong">Speech Recognition HOWTO</emphasis>, written by Stephen Cook that provides
|
|
complete details for anyone interested in learning more about speech recognition applications.
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
<sect1 id="other"><title>Cognitive, Language, and Other Impairments</title>
|
|
<para>Cognitive and language impairments include dyslexia and problems with; memory, comprehension, problem solving,
|
|
and written language.
|
|
For many individuals with cognitive and language disabilities, complex graphical displays and inconsistent use of words
|
|
can make using the computer more difficult.
|
|
A user with epilepsy can have a seizure from an application with blinking lights and animation. Most desktops now allow users to
|
|
disable animation. Web browsers such as Mozilla and Netscape allow users to disable graphics. It is important to
|
|
check the documentation for preferences that are available in the desktop environment you are using,
|
|
as well as any applications that are
|
|
used. This section discusses the tools that are available to aid users with these impairments:
|
|
</para>
|
|
|
|
<sect2><title>Assistive Technologies for Cognitive, Language and Other Impairments</title>
|
|
<para>The following is a list of assistive technologies that can be helpful to users with cognitive, language, and other
|
|
impairments:</para>
|
|
<sect3><title>Screen Readers and Speech Synthesis</title>
|
|
<para>Screen readers with speech synthesis enable the system to read on-screen information and text out loud to the user. This
|
|
type of assistive technology can be particularly helpful to individuals who have dyslexia and other learning
|
|
disabilities. Although there are no screen readers available for the GNOME desktop, screen reader applications are available for
|
|
Linux in console mode that provide this functionality.</para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Emacspeak </emphasis>is a speech interface that will provide audio output for all text. The
|
|
program works in terminal and console mode and requires a software or hardware speech synthesizer. The downloads and users
|
|
manuals are available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.cs.cornell.edu/home/raman/emacspeak/"></ulink>.</para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para> The Trace Center provides information and downloads for various screen readers and speech synthesizers. More
|
|
information is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/unix/unixshar.html"></ulink>.</para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect3>
|
|
|
|
<sect3><title>Keyboard filters and Word Processing</title>
|
|
<para>Keyboard filters and word processing applications that have word prediction and spell checking utilities can be an
|
|
excellent aid for users with learning and language impairments.</para>
|
|
</sect3>
|
|
|
|
<sect3><title>Speech Recognition</title>
|
|
<para>Speech recognition applications enables you to control the computer with your voice rather than having to type or
|
|
write out the information.</para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">CVoice Control </emphasis>is a speech recognition system that enables a user to connect
|
|
spoken commands to UNIX commands. More information is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.kiecza.de/daniel/linux/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">IBM ViaVoice Dictation for Linux </emphasis>allows the user to write documents using their
|
|
voice rather then a keyboard and can read the information back to the user. More information is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www-4.ibm.com/software/speech/dev/"></ulink>.</para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Open Mind Speech </emphasis>is a development project for
|
|
speech recognition tools and applications. The developers have established a mailing list for asking questions and obtaining
|
|
information at: <ulink url="http://freespeech.sourceforge.net/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">XVoice </emphasis>enables continuous speech to text dictation for many applications. More
|
|
information is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.compapp.dcu.ie/~tdoris/Xvoice/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect3>
|
|
</sect2>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
<sect1><title>Developing Accessible Applications</title>
|
|
<para>It is important to consider accessibility when developing new applications for the Linux operating system.
|
|
The American Foundation for the Blind, the GNOME Accessibility Project, IBM, Sun, and W3C have written guidelines that are excellent
|
|
road maps for developing and testing new Linux software.
|
|
The following Web sites provide the tools, checklists and testing information to help developers write accessible programs for
|
|
impaired users.</para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">American Foundation for the Blind</emphasis> provides information on creating accessible
|
|
computer applications at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.afb.org/info_document_view.asp?documentid=198"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">GNOME Accessibility Project </emphasis>has written a guide specifically for application
|
|
development for the GNOME 2.0 desktop. More information is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://developer.gnome.org/projects/gap/guide/gad/index.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">IBM Accessibility Center </emphasis>provides links to a software accessibility checklist,
|
|
testing information, and the Section 508 Rehabilitation Act. This site is located at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www-3.ibm.com/able/guidelines.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Sun Accessibility </emphasis>provides information on designing applications for
|
|
accessibility at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.sun.com/access/developers/software.guides.html"></ulink> and an Accessibility Quick Reference Guide is
|
|
available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.sun.com/access/developers/access.quick.ref.html"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">W3C User Agent Accessibility Guidelines 1.0</emphasis> provides guidelines on accessible Web browser development including multimedia players and Web related software. <ulink url="http://www.w3.org/TR/UAAGIO/"></ulink>.</para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
<sect1><title>Other Helpful Information</title>
|
|
<para>The following is a list of additional information that may be helpful, but is not necessarily targeting a specific
|
|
disability:</para>
|
|
<itemizedlist>
|
|
<listitem><para> <emphasis role="strong">The CMU Sphinx Group Source </emphasis>has released a set of reasonably mature, speech
|
|
components that provide a basic level of technology to anyone interested in creating speech enabled applications. More
|
|
information is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://fife.speech.cs.cmu.edu/sphinx/"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para>Access to Linux documentation is critical to learning and using Linux. The <emphasis role="strong">Linux
|
|
Documentation Project </emphasis>has links to many Linux HOWTOs, mini HOWTOs, and guides, as well as information on becoming
|
|
involved in authoring new HOWTOs. More information and downloads are available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">RPMFind.net </emphasis>provides rpm downloads for Linux applications on most Linux
|
|
operating systems. The site is located at:<ulink url="http://www.rpmfind.net"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">Sourceforge </emphasis>provides updated information, documentation, and software for Linux.
|
|
Some of the applications available are under development. More information and downloads are available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://www.sourceforge.net"></ulink>. </para></listitem>
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">The Trace Center </emphasis>provides accessibility information and software for the Linux
|
|
operating system. More information is available at:
|
|
<ulink url="http://trace.wisc.edu/worl/computer_access/"></ulink> and the Linux Accessibility Resource Site (LARS) <ulink url="http://trace.wisc.edu/linux/"></ulink>.</para></listitem>
|
|
|
|
<listitem><para><emphasis role="strong">W3C Web Accessibility initiative</emphasis> provides information and links on Web site accessibility. More information is available at: <ulink url="https://www.w3.org/WAI/">their website</ulink>.</para></listitem>
|
|
</itemizedlist>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
|
|
<sect1><title>Acknowledgments</title>
|
|
<para>These are the orignal acknowledgments documented by Michael De La Rue. They have been included in their entirety to
|
|
ensure that each persons efforts to make Linux more accessibile are acknowledged.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>Much of this document was created from various information sources
|
|
on the Internet, many found from Yahoo and DEC's Alta Vista Search
|
|
engine. Included in this was the documentation of most of the
|
|
software packages mentioned in the text. Some information was also
|
|
gleaned from the Royal National Institute for the Blind's help sheets.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>T.V. Raman, the author of Emacspeak has reliably contributed comments,
|
|
information and text as well as putting me in touch with other people
|
|
who he knew on the Internet.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>Kenneth Albanowski <ulink url="mailto:kjahds@kjahds.com">kjahds@kjahds.com</ulink> provided the
|
|
patch needed for the Brailloterm and information about it.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>Roland Dyroff of <ulink url="http://www.suse.de/">S.u.S.E. GmbH</ulink>
|
|
(Linux distributors and makers of S.u.S.E. Linux (English/German)) looked up
|
|
KTS Stolper GmbH at my request and got some hardware details and
|
|
information on the Brailloterm.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>The most major and careful checks over of this document were done by
|
|
James Bowden, <ulink url="mailto:jrbowden@bcs.org.uk">jrbowden@bcs.org </ulink>
|
|
and Nikhil Nair <ulink url="mailto:nn201@cus.cam.ac.uk">nn201@cus.cam.ac.uk</ulink>, the
|
|
BRLTTY authors who suggested a large number of corrections as well as extra information
|
|
for some topics.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>The contributors to the blinux and linux-access mailing lists have
|
|
contributed to this document by providng information for me to read.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>Mark E. Novak of the Trace R and D centre <ulink url="http://trace.wisc.edu/"></ulink>
|
|
pointed me in the direction of several packages of software and information which I had not seen before. He
|
|
also made some comments on the structure of the document which I have
|
|
partially taken into account and should probably do more about.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>Other contributors include Nicolas Pitrie and Stephane Doyon.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>A number of other people have contributed comments and information.
|
|
Specific contributions are acknowledged within the document.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>This version was specifically produced for <ulink url="http://www.redhat.com/">
|
|
RedHat</ulink>'s Dr. Linux book. This is
|
|
because they provided warning of it's impending release to myself and
|
|
other LDP authors. Their doing this is strongly appreciated since
|
|
wrong or old information sits around much longer in a book than on the
|
|
Internet.</para>
|
|
|
|
<para>No doubt you made a contribution and I haven't mentioned it. Don't
|
|
worry, it was an accident. I'm sorry. Just tell me and I will add
|
|
you to the next version.</para>
|
|
</sect1>
|
|
</article>
|
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