This manual describes accessibility features for the GNOME desktop 2.0.
Copyright © 2002 by IBM Corporation
This document may be reproduced or distributed in any form, without prior permission, provided that all such copies or distributions include this copyright statement and the warranty disclaimer in this paragraph. This document is provided on an "AS IS" basis only, with no warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantibility, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. All usage of the information in this document is at your own risk.
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| Revision History | |
|---|---|
| Revision GNOME2 Desktop Accessibility Guide 1.0 Draft | November 2002 |
This guide is intended for the following audiences:
This guide describes accessibility features that can help you in your work with the GNOME2 desktop.
This guide describes ways in which you can customize the GNOME2 desktop to help end-users of your systems who have disabilities.
This document introduces the accessibility features that are built into the GNOME2 desktop using the Metacity Window Manager. It also describes the assistive technologies and applications that are available for the GNOME2 desktop. The information provided addresses general accessibility features that are useful for all users and targets users with specific disabilities:
The accessibility features in this section are useful for all users and are not targeted to a specific group.
You can use the Keyboard Accessibility Preferences dialog pane to enable keyboard accessibility features. These features are also known as AccessX. Perform the following steps to activate keyboard accessibility options:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. The Keyboard Accessibility dialog pane opens.
Select Enable Keyboard Accessibility.
Select Beep when enabling/disabling keyboard accessibility features to enable the beep. When the beep is enabled you hear an audible confirmation that a keyboard accessibility feature has been changed.
Click on Close to save your changes.
You can also configure the desktop to disable keyboard accessibility if the feature is not used for a specified period of time. Your settings are saved in the login $HOME directory. This option can be set as follows:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. The Keyboard Accessibility dialog pane opens.
Select Disable if unused for. The slidebar is active.
Click and hold the slidebar to adjust the time before the accessibility features are deactivated.
Click on Close to save your changes.
Bounce Keys are helpful to users that are unsteady or who tremble when operating the keyboard. A user might unintentionally hit a key more than once. Perform the following steps to enable Bounce Keys:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. The Keyboard Accessibility dialog pane opens.
Select Enable Bounce Keys. The sliderbar is active.
Click and hold the slidebar to Ignore presses within a specified period of time and wait before the next key press is accepted. A key press within the specified time will be ignored.
Click on Beep when key is rejected to enable the beep. When the beep is enabled, you hear an audible confirmation that a key pressed has been ignored.
Use the Test Area of the dialog pane to test your Bounce Key settings.
Click on Close to save your changes.
Mouse Keys are helpful to users who are unable to use a mouse or pointing device. Mouse keys provide mouse movements and functionality from the numeric keypad on your keyboard. Perform the following steps to enable Mouse Keys:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. The Keyboard Accessibility dialog pane opens.
Select Enable Mouse Keys. The sliderbar is active.
Click and hold the slidebar located next to Maximum pointer speed. The setting changes the maximum speed the mouse pointer can move. Slower speeds provide greater control.
Click and hold the slidebar located next to Time to accelerate to max speed. The setting changes the acceleration speed the mouse pointer can move. Slower speeds provide greater accuracy.
Click and hold the slidebar located next to Start moving this long after key press. The setting changes the amount of time before the mouse pointer can regain movement.
Click on Close to save your changes.
When mouse keys are enabled, the keys on the numeric keypad perform the following functions:
| Numeric Keypad Keys | Action |
| 1 - 4 and 6 - 9 | Moves the mouse pointer around the screen. |
| 5 | Mouse button single-click and select. |
| 0 | Mouse button click and hold. |
| + (plus) | Mouse button release (After 0 is pressed). |
If you are a Mouse Key user, you could also benefit from Section 2.1.4, "To Enable Sticky Keys" Sticky Keys.
Slow Keys are helpful to users who have difficulty typing and frequently hit the wrong key. Slow Keys allow key input based on a specific amount of time the key is pressed. An audible notification option is available. Keys that are not held down long enough will not register as input. Perform the following steps to enable Slow Keys:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. The Keyboard Accessibility dialog pane opens.
Select Enable Slow Keys. The sliderbar is active.
Click and hold the slidebar located next to Only accept key press after and set a specified period of time. Next make your selection for audible output.
Select Beep when key is pressed for audible output only when key input begins.
Select Beep when key is accepted for audible output only when the key is pressed long enough to be accepted.
Select Beep when key is rejected for audible output only when the key is not pressed long enough to accept the input.
Use the Test Area of the dialog pane to test your Slow Key settings.
Click on Close to save your changes.
Sticky Keys are helpful to users who have difficulty holding down two or more keys at the same time, such as Ctrl-Alt-Del key modifiers. Sticky Keys allow the modifier key to stay active after it is released, so another key can be selected to complete the key combination. An option to provide an audible status notification is available. Perform the following steps to enable Sticky Keys:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. The Keyboard Accessibility dialog pane opens.
Select Enable Sticky Keys.
Select Beep when modifier is pressed to provide audible output when the modifier has been pressed.
Select Turn off Sticky Keys when two keys pressed simultaneously. The setting deactivates Sticky Keys when it detects a user is holding two modifiers at the same time.
Click on Close to save your changes.
Toggle Keys are Num Lock, Caps Lock, or Scroll Lock. Most keyboards provide a small indicator light when the selected toggle key is active. Toggle Key settings are helpful to users who prefer audible confirmation that a toggle key has been pressed. For example, a visually impaired user who accidentally hits a toggle key can hear a confirmation and easily correct the action. Perform the following steps to enable Toggle Keys:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. The Keyboard Accessibility dialog pane opens.
Select Enable Toggle Keys.
Click on Close to save your changes.
When you activate the Num Lock, Caps Lock, or Scroll Lock key, the computer beeps once. When you deactivate the key, the computer beeps twice.
Repeat Keys are helpful to users who have difficulty releasing keys quickly and can result in multiple characters when a single character is intended. Repeat Key settings allow the user to specify the length of time a key is held before the character is repeated. Enabling repeat keys prevents the key from repeating multiple characters. Perform the following steps to enable Repeat Keys:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. The Keyboard Accessibility dialog pane opens.
Click on the Repeat Keys Preferences... button. The Keyboard Preferences dialog pane appears.
Select Keyboard repeats when key is held down to enable Repeat Keys. Next specify the Repeat Key settings.
Click and hold the slidebar for Delay. Select the delay time before the action repeats.
Click and hold the slidebar for Speed. Select the speed that the action repeats.
Click on Close to save your changes.
There could be conflicts or problems when setting up your keyboard to use mulitple keyboard options, such as Bounce Keys and Mouse Keys with other accessibility keyboard features. There are several combined keyboard settings that can cause problems in the current version.
You have the option to import a Common Desktop Environment (CDE) AccessX configuration file into GNOME. The option to import a CDE AccessX configuration file enables users to import their existing configuration file from another system.
To import a CDE AccessX configuration file perform the following steps:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. The Keyboard Accessibility dialog pane opens.
Click on the Import CDE Access File... button. The Select CDE Access file dialog pane appears.
Browse and select the file.
Click on the OK button to import the file.
Click on Close to save your changes.
This section describes the key sequences to navigate all components of the GNOME2 desktop. The Tab, Arrow, and Spacebar keys are used primarily to navigate and select objects
Tab or Shift-Tab Move to the next/previous object or control. Arrow keys Navigate within objects or controls. Spacebar Activate/select the current object or control. |
The following key sequences can be used to obtain Help for GNOME2 applications.
F1 Opens GNOME application Help. Alt-F1 Opens the GNOME2 Application Menu. This sequence is a customizable shortcut. Alt-F2 Starts the Run Program dialog pane. This sequence is a customizable shortcut. |
Many of the key sequences are customizable. The Keyboard Shortcuts Preference tool allows you to modify these shortcuts.
The GNOME2 background is the main display area for the desktop's graphical user interface (GUI). Use the following key sequences to navigate the background.
Any letter or number Selects the first icon alphabetically that has same first character. Arrow key Selects neighboring icons. Ctrl-F10 Displays the Background Menu. F2 Renames the desktop icon. Type in the name and press Return. Shift-F10 Displays the Popup Menu of the icon. Tab Selects the next icon alphabetically. |
The GNOME2 panel is the portion of the desktop that contains application menus, applets, and shortcuts. Drawers can also be added to the panel. To navigate the panel use the following key sequences.
Ctrl-Alt-Tab Cycles between the panels and desktop. While holding down Ctrl-Alt uses the Tab
Key to cycle through the panels which are highlighted. The drawers, which are a form
of panel, are included in the panel cycling. This sequence is a customizable shortcut.
Ctrl-F10 Displays the Panel Menu.
F10 Opens the Application's Menu. Subsequent presses of F10 toggles between the
Application Menu and the Window List.
Shift-F10 Displays the Popup Menu of the icon.
Spacebar Starts a launcher; open or close a drawer; open a menu; select an applet control.
Tab Moves to the next panel object. The Tab Key skips over the Application Menu and
Window List icon.
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Drawers that contain application shortcuts can be added to the GNOME2 panel. Use the following key sequences to navigate into a selected drawer.
Any arrow key Enters an open drawer. Esc Exits and closes the drawer. Shift-Esc Exits and leaves the drawer open. Spacebar Opens or closes the drawer. |
There are several menus available throughout the GNOME2 desktop. For example the background, icons, and the panel all provide menu choices. Use the following key sequences to navigate a selected menu.
Any arrow key Enters and navigate a menu. The right arrow key opens the sub-menu
of a menubar and the left arrow key moves to the previous menu.
Esc Exits and closes the menu.
Shift-F10 Opens a menu item Popup Menu (if available).
Spacebar Selects a menu item.
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You can move objects in a panel or drawer using the following key sequences.
Shift-F10 Opens a menu item Popup menu (if available) and Select Move. Any arrow key Moves the object along the panel. Ctrl-Arrow key Moves the object along the panel, jumping over other objects in front of it. Shift-Arrow key Moves the object along the panel, pushing other objects in front of it. Spacebar Exits move mode. Tab Moves the object to the next panel. |
The GNOME2 can provide multiple Workspaces and Windows. Use the following key sequences to navigate Workspaces and Windows.
Alt-Esc Cycles between windows. Each window is raised in turn during the cycling process.
This sequence is a customizable shortcut.
Alt-F4 Closes the window.
Alt-F9 Minimizes the window.
Alt-F10 Maximizes the window.
Alt-Spacebar Opens the Window Menu.
Alt-Tab Cycles between windows. A Popup box shows the application name and icon of the window
being cycled. This sequence is a customizable shortcut.
Ctrl-Alt-Arrow key Moves to the previous/next workspaces.
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You can move a focused window as follows:
Press Alt-Spacebar to open the Window Menu.
Select Move.
Press any Arrow key to move the window, or Shift-Arrow key to align the Window's edge with the next window, panel, or screen's edge.
You can resize a focused window as follows:
Press Alt-Spacebar to open the Window Menu.
Select Resize.
Press any Arrow Key to move the window.
The purpose of this section is to provide an overview for GNOME2 application and dialog pane navigation. GNOME2 applications, dialogs and applets are navigated using different types of user interface controls such as, menubars, toolbars, index tabs, radio buttons, drop down lists, and spin boxes.
Key sequences are provided for the application menubar. The application menubar contains a superset of all options that are available from an application toolbar. The application toolbar can not be accessed from the keyboard. Use the following key sequences to navigate the menubar.
Access Key Access Keys are letters that are underlined in menu items. Use the letter indicated to
select the associated menu item in an open menu. Access Keys are menu specific.
Alt + [Access Key] Access Keys are letters that are underlined in menu titles. Use Alt + [Access Key]
to open the associated sub-menu in the menubar.
Arrow Keys Moves the focus to the previous/next menu title. The menu drops down but stays
focused on the menu title.
Ctrl-Tab Cycles focus to next menu in window.
Enter or Spacebar Activates the focused menu item and close all menus.
Esc Unposts all menus and return focus to the last control focused.
F10 Opens the first menu in the Application Menubar. Use the Arrow Keys to navigate the
menu and sub-menus in the menubar.
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If the menu item is a checkbox or radio button, the Spacebar will select/deselect and the menu remains open to allow for further menu selections.
A dialog box is a graphical on-screen message box that conveys or requests information. Use the following key sequences to navigate dialogs.
Alt + [Access Key] Access keys are letters which are underlined in control titles. Use Alt + [Access Key]
to select or activate the associated control. If two controls have the same access key,
this sequence will cycle between the controls with making a selection.
Down Arrow Key If the dialog pane is subdivided into tabbed sections, use this key sequence to
navigate between tabbed sections.
Enter Selects the default dialog window action.
Esc Exits the dialog pane.
Tab Moves to the next dialog control.
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User interface (UI) controls are all the features and functions of an application that govern the way you interact with a computer or application. The following is a list of UI controls:
Button Spacebar or Enter Keys activate the focused button. If no button has focus the
window's default button is activated.
Checkboxes Spacebar can select or deselect the checkbox.
Combo Box Dropdown List Up/Down Arrow Keys select the previous/next item in the list. Page Up/Down
Arrow Keys select the item at the top/bottom of the current view.
Enter returns a selected item and hides the list.
Combo Box Text Entry Field Home/End Keys move the cursor to the start/end of the entry field. Left/Right
Arrow Keys move the cursor forward and backward in the text entry field.
Drop Down List (Option Menu) Spacebar opens the list or, if the list is already open, it selects the
currently focused list item and closes the list. Arrow keys move up and down
the list. Esc closes the list without changing the selection.
Notebook Window Control Ctrl-Page Up/Down Keys bring the previous/next tab to the front.
Shift-Ctrl-Tab Keys move the focus to the previous/next control
outside the notebook control.
Notebook Window Tabbed Label Left/Right Arrow Keys move the focus to the previous/next tab label,
but do not bring the tab to the front. Spacebar brings the focused tab to front.
Tab or Ctrl-Down Arrow Key moves the focus to the first control on the
front tab.
Radio Buttons Arrow Keys select the previous/next radio button in the group and
deselect all others.
Sliderbar Position Left/Up Arrow Keys move the slider left or up based on a vertical or
horizontal sliderbar. Right/Down Arrow Keys move the slider right or down
based on a vertical or horizontal sliderbar.
Sliderbar Numeric Value Page Up/Down moves the slider bar value higher
or lower. Home/End Keys move the sliderbar to the minimum/maximum value.
Splitterbar Movement Arrow Keys move the splitterbar by a small amount.
Ctrl-Arrow Keys move the splitterbar by a larger amount.
Splitterbar Position Home/End Keys set the splitterbar to a
minimum/maximum position. Enter sets the splitterbar position and return to
the last pane focused. Esc resets the splitterbar position and return to the
last pane focused.
Splitterbar Window Shift-F6 cycles to the last control that had focus in the
previous/next pane. F8 changes the focus to the first splitterbar, then you can
press Shift-Tab to cycle to previous/next splitterbar.
Spin Box Numeric Value Field Left/Right Arrow Keys increase or decrease
the value by a small amount. Page Up/Down Arrow Keys increase or decrease
the value by a larger amount.
Spin Box Text Entry Field Home/End Keys move the cursor to the start/end
of the text entry field. Up/Down Arrow Keys move the cursor forward and
backward in the text entry field.
Toggle Buttons Spacebar toggles the selection.
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A GTKTreeView List is a list or tree that was implemented using the GTKTreeView widgets. A GTKTreeView list can have column headers. The column header should appear as an extra item in the tab sequence. The keyboard navigation for GTKTreeView UI controls are as follows:
Backspace Selects the currently-selected node's parent node.
Ctrl-A Selects all rows (if list is multi-select).
Ctrl-Arrow- Key Moves the focus to next row/column but does not the change selection.
Ctrl-F Opens a search textbox dialog pane. You type a word to search for in the list.
Esc closes the dialog pane.
Ctrl-Home/End Moves the focus to first/last item in list, but does not change the selection.
Ctrl-Page up/down Moves the focus to top/bottom row of view, but does not change the selection.
Ctrl-Spacebar Adds the focused row to the existing selection, or deselects the row if it
is already selected.
Down-Arrow Key Moves the focus from the header into the content list or tree.
Enter Same as double-clicking a list item.
Home/End Key Focuses and selects the first/last item in list or tree.
Left/Right Arrow Key Moves the focus to the previous/next column header or focus and selects
the next row/column of a focused list.
Minus Key (-) Collapses the selected node.
Page Up/Down Key Focuses and selects the top/bottom row of the current view, then selects
the top/bottom row of next/previous view of a focused list or tree.
Plus Key (+) Expands the selected node (Shift might be required according to your keyboard layout).
Shift-Arrow Key Focuses is on the next row or column and adds the row or column to
the current selection if the list allows multi-selections. If the list does not
allow multi-selections, the key sequence focus and selects the current row.
Shift-Home/End Key Focuses and selects the entire list from first to last row.
Shift-Page Up/Down Focuses and selects the list from the top to bottom or bottom to top of
the current list view.
Spacebar Sorts a column list when the column header has focus. Selects/deselects
a checkbox that is in a list.
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Use the following key sequences to navigate a single or multi-line entry field:
Ctrl-A Selects all the text in the buffer.
Ctrl-Down Arrow Key Moves the cursor to the end of the current paragraph in a multi-line text
entry field, then to the end of previous paragraph.
Ctrl-Home/End Moves the cursor to the beginning/end of a multi-line text entry field.
Ctrl-Left Arrow Key Moves the cursor to the beginning of current word, then to the beginning
of previous word.
Ctrl-Page Up/Down Scroll view left/right by one view width in a multi-line text entry field.
Ctrl-Right Arrow Key Moves the cursor to end of the current word, then to the end of next word.
Ctrl-Tab Moves the focus out of the text field and into the next control in a multi-line
text entry field.
Ctrl-Up Arrow Key Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current paragraph in a multi-line
text entry field, then to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
Home/End Moves the cursor to the beginning/end of the line.
Left/Right Arrow Key Moves the cursor left/right one character.
Page Up/Down Moves the cursor up/down one page in a multi-line text entry field.
The cursor moves to the top of the current view.
Shift-Ctrl-Down Arrow Key Selects from the end of the current paragraph to the end of previous
paragraph in a multi-line text entry field.
Shift-Ctrl-Home/End Selects from the beginning to the end of the text in a multi-line text
entry field.
Shift-Ctrl-Left Arrow Key Selects from the current position to the beginning of the current word,
then to the beginning of the previous word.
Shift-Ctrl-Right Arrow Key Selects from the current position to end of the current word, then to
the end of the next word.
Shift-Ctrl-Up Arrow Key Selects from the beginning of the current paragraph to the beginning of the
previous paragraph in a multi-line text entry field.
Shift-Home/End Selects from the current position to the beginning of line.
Shift-Left/Right Arrow Key Selects the character to the left/right of the cursor, adding it to the
current selection.
Shift-Page Up/Down Selects from the cursor position to the beginning/end of the current view,
then to the beginning/end of the next page in a multi-line text entry field.
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Use the following key sequences to navigate an HTML document:
Ctrl-Page Up/Down Scroll one view left/right. Ctrl-Tab Moves the focus out of page and onto the next control in a window. Home/End Scroll to beginning/end of page. Page Up/Down Scroll one page up/down. Shift-Tab Moves the focus to previous/next link on the page. Space or Enter Activates a link. |
Use the following key sequences to navigate the Nautilus File Manager:
Arrow key Selects and focuses on the previous/next file in the designated direction in a list or icon
view. Moves the focus between tab labels when focused in a side pane or moves the
focus between history tabs when the history list is focused.
Ctrl-Arrow Key Moves the focus to the previous/next file in a list. The current selection is
not affected in icon view.
Ctrl-Spacebar Adds a focused file to the current selection in icon view.
Enter Opens the selected file or folder in a list or icon view.
F6 Cycle the focus to the side pane.
F9 Opens the side pane context menu.
Spacebar Selects the focused icon in the history list and the list/icon view updates.
Tab Selects and focuses on the next file in the current sort order while in icon view.
Moves the focus from the tab label into the tab when the side pane has focus. |
Users can change the focus behavior settings to tell the system how the windows that appear on the desktop receive focus. To change the Windows Focus Behavior settings perform the following steps:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Window Focus. The Window Focus Preference dialog pane opens.
Select Click to give focus or Point to give focus.
You can also Select Raise window on focus.
Click on Close to save the changes.
Visual disabilities can range from low vision to total blindness.
Some users with visual impairments might need assistance when they configure the desktop. Screen magnification utilities provide users with low vision access to the configuration settings within the desktop.
This section provides information on the following:
Desktop settings that might be helpful to users with low vision.
Application features that might be helpful to users with low vision.
You can use the Sound capplet to work with sound events. To activate sound events, perform the following steps:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Sound . The Sound dialog pane opens.
Click on the General tab and confirm that Enable sound server at startup and Sounds for events are selected.
Click on the Sound Events tab and select an Event (for example, login, logout).
Click on the Play button to confirm that the sound is working properly.
Click on Close to save the changes.
Users can also change the sound that is associated with the event to play any .wav file on the computer. To change the sound, perform the following steps.
On the Sound Events tab, select the sound event that you want to change.
Click Browse, and locate the new .wav file you would like to play for the event.
Click Play while the event is still selected to verify that it plays correctly.
Click Close to save the changes.
You can use these same steps to associate a sound to any sound event not assigned a default sound.
Font Preferences are available for Applications, Desktop, Windows, and Terminals. Perform the following steps to change the font size.
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Font. The Font dialog pane opens.
Click on the applicable font selector button to display the font selector dialog.
Select the new font, font style, and size.
Click on OK to save the changes.
Click on Close to save the changes permanently and close the dialog pane.
Users can also change the Mouse Cursor Theme so that it is enlarged or high contrast. To change the Mouse Cursor Theme perform the following steps.
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Mouse . The Mouse dialog pane opens.
Select the new theme.
Click on Close to save the changes.
You can Select the Locale Pointer to show the position of the cursor when the Control key is pressed.
To Change to a High Contrast, Large Print Theme perform the following steps:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Themes . The Themes dialog pane opens.
Select the new Theme.
Click on Close to save the changes.
To set the preferences in the Mozilla Web browser that control font size and high contrast settings, perform the following steps.
Choose Edit -> Preferences to display the preference selection dialog.
Choose Appearance -> Fonts to display the font selector dialog on the right.
Select the font from the font drop-down list box and the size from the proportional drop-down list box .
Choose Colors. The Color Selector dialog appears on the right.
Click on the text button and select a new text color from the Color Selector dialog.
Click on the background button and select a new background color from the Color Selector dialog.
Deselect, Use System Colors.
Select Use my chosen colors, ignoring the colors specified.
Click on OK to save the changes.
The Mozilla Web browser provides magnification of the default font size. You change the magnification by choosing:
View -> Text Size and selecting a percentage. These settings are not reflected in any other areas of the desktop.
The Nautilus file manager provides up to 400 magnification of the default font size. To change the magnification, click the plus button to enlarge the images and text or the minus button to make everything smaller. You can also change the magnification as follows:
Choose View -> Zoom+ to increase magnification.
Choose View -> Zoom- to decrease magnification.
Assistive technologies are computer hardware devices and software applications that aid users with visual impairments. These devices and applications give visually impaired users access to the information displayed on the computer screen or terminal.
A screen reader provides the functionality required for a totally blind user to navigate the desktop and Linux console. A screen reader is a software application that requires a compatible speech synthesizer to translate all the text based information on the screen, such as text, icons, and objects, to audio output.
Speech synthesizers can be either a hardware device or software application. Hardware synthesizers are typically more expensive but easier to install. You can download free software synthesizers from the Internet, but they require a little more patience to configure properly. The following URLs provide more information about screen readers and speech synthesizers:
Gnopernicus is a speech interface that allows users who are visually impaired to operate a computer from the graphical user interface (GUI). The program works with the GNOME2 desktop and requires a software speech synthesizer. Gnopernicus is available at the following URL:
Emacspeak is a speech interface that allows users who are visually impaired to operate a computer. The program works in terminal and console mode and requires a software or hardware speech synthesizer. Emacspeak is available at the following URL:
The Trace Center provides information and downloads for various screen readers and speech synthesizers.
http://www.trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/unix/unixshar.html.
Screen magnifiers help users who can see the screen but have low vision. The screen magnifier follows the mouse or pointer and enlarges the selected portion of the screen. Magnification is included as part of Gnopernicus for the GNOME2 desktop. You can also download and install screen magnification utilities that can be used with other desktops. These applications are available on the websites listed below:
Gnopernicus is a speech interface that allows users who are visually impaired to operate a computer from the graphical user interface (GUI). The program works with the GNOME2 desktop and includes a screen magnifier. Gnopernicus is available at the following URL:
The Screen Magnifier website provides information and downloads of screen magnification programs:
http://www.magnifiers.org/links/Download_Software/Screen_Magnifiers/UNIX_Linux/.
The Trace Center provides information and downloads for various screen magnifiers with instructions for installation:
http://www.trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/unix/unixshar.html.
A Braille display is another hardware device that a blind user can use to access the information on the screen. A Braille display uses a series of pins to form Braille symbols. The symbols that are continuously update as the user changes focus.
Gnopernicus is a speech interface that allows users who are visually impaired to operate a computer from the graphical user interface (GUI). The program works with the GNOME2 desktop and includes Braille support. Gnopernicus is available at the following URL:
The following is a list of resources for users with visual impairments:
GNOME Accessibility Project:
Accessibility-HOWTO provides extensive information on accessibility. The Accessibility-HOWTO website is at the following link:
http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/Accessibility-HOWTO.
BLINUX Projec works to improve the usability of Linux for blind users. The BLINUX Project website includes downloadable applications and a mailing list at the following link:
Visually impaired users that are new to Linux can ask questions and share their problems at the following mailing list:
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/blinux-newbie.
This section addresses users who have difficulty using a mouse, pointing device, or keyboard.
GNOME2 provides features that can be helpful for users with mobility impairments. This section describes options for adjusting the desktop settings.
GNOME2 provides the option to change mouse settings for right and left handed users. To change the Mouse Button Preferences, perform the following steps:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Mouse . The Mouse Preference dialog pane opens.
Select for Left Handed Mouse Mode or deselect for Right Handed Mouse Mode.
Click and hold the Delay sliderbar to specify the maximum amount of time allowed between clicks when double-clicking the mouse.
Click on Close to save the changes.
GNOME2 provides the option to change mouse motion settings to adjust the speed and threshold of the mouse movement. To change the Mouse Motion Preferences, perform the following steps:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Mouse . The Mouse Preference dialog pane opens.
Click and hold the appropriate sliderbar to change acceleration, sensitivity, and the drag and drop threshold.
Click on Close to save the changes.
The Mozilla Web browser has an option that allows the user to specify a modifier key that will enable one of the four preselected mouse behaviors. Each time the modifier key is pressed while in Mozilla, the selected action will occur. To enable this feature, perform the following steps:
Start the Mozilla Web browser and click on Edit in the menubar.
Click on Preferences. The Preferences dialog pane will open.
Double-click on Advanced. The Advanced dialog pane is displayed.
Select Mouse Wheel. The Mouse Wheel dialog pane opens on the right.
Click on the No modifier key button and choose one of the four available options.
Click on OK to save the changes.
Nautilus file manager has a feature that allows the user to choose a single or double mouse click to activate icons while in the file manager. To change this option, perform the following steps:
Start the Nautilus file manager and choose Edit Preferences. The Edit Preferences dialog pane opens.
Select Icon and List View. The Icon and List View dialog pane opens to the right.
Select one of the options from Click Behavior to activate items with a single click or a double click.
Select one of the options to Execute or Display files that are clicked.
Click on OK to save changes.
The following are assistive technologies that can aid users who have mobility impairments. These technologies provide on-screen keyboard and voice recognition for navigation and data input.
On-screen keyboards enable a user to select keys with a pointing device, such as a mouse, trackball, or touch pad. This application is used in place of a standard keyboard.
GNOME On-Screen Keyboard (GOK) is a on-screen, graphical keyboard. You can obtain more information from http://www.gok.ca..
Speech recognition utilities are used by people with mobility impairments, so they can operate the computer using voice control.
Open Mind Speech is a development project for speech recognition tools and applications. They also have a mailing list where users can ask questions and obtain information.
The Trace Center has information and links related to several different speech recognition utilities:
http://www.trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/unix/unixshar.html.
Blinking lights and animation that are in a graphical environment can potentially cause a user to have a seizure.
You can disable or adjusting the blinking cursor that appears in text fields by performing the following steps:
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. The Keyboard Accessibility dialog pane opens.
Click on Repeat Key Preferences.
Select/deselect Blinks in text boxes and text fields.
If Blinking is selected the Speed slidebar is active. Click and hold the slidebar to increase or decrease the blinking speed.
Click on Close to save your changes.
You can choose not to load images when you use the Mozilla Web browser. This option stops any animated .gif files from displaying. You can enable this featured with the following steps.
Start Mozilla, and choose Edit -> Preferences. The Preferences dialog pane opens.
Click on Privacy and Security -> Images.
Select Do not load any images for the Image Acceptance Policy.
Select Never for the Animated Images should Loop.
Click on OK to save the changes.
Generally, cognitive and language impairments include dyslexia, problems with memory, comprehension, problem solving, and written language. For many users with cognitive and language disabilities, complex graphical displays and inconsistent use of words can make the computer more difficult to use. This section discusses the tools, such as text to speech and speech recognition that can make it easier for users with cognitive and language disabilities to operate the computer.
Screen readers with speech synthesis enable the system to read on-screen information and text out loud to the user. Speech recognition applications enable users to control the computer with their voice, and they do not have to type or write out the information. These assistive technologies can be particularly helpful to users who have dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Although no screen readers are available for the desktop, screen reader applications are available for Linux in console mode that provide this functionality.
Open Mind Speech is a development project for speech recognition tools and applications. They also have a mailing list where users can ask questions and obtain information.
Emacspeak 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 Trace Center provides information and downloads for various screen readers and speech synthesizers.
http://www.trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/unix/unixshar.html.
Keyboard filters and word processing applications that have word prediction and spell checking utilities can also be an excellent aid for users with learning and language impairments.
Hearing impaired users require the majority of audio output from the GNOME desktop to be conveyed visually on the screen. The GNOME2 desktop has a built-in feature to "show sounds" that is active by default when the system is installed. This feature means that all audio alerts and warnings are displayed as messages on the screen.
Assistive technologies can aid a user who is hearing impaired and provide additional functionality.
TDD can provide a means for the user to communicate over the telephone using the computer as a text terminal.
Zapata is a computer-based, high-density telephony project. The current version is available for download as source code at:
Closed captioning can provide text translation of spoken words to video display. Close captioning is useful for distance learning, video-teleconferencing, audio from a CD-ROM, and other types of interactive technology.
Ccdecoder is a closed captioned, extended data services decoder for the bttv and video4linux based TV video cards.