[u-a-dev] What can we do to drastically improve ubuntu accessibility?

[David Sexton]

Good morning

I am looking for information on what is most needed to improve ubuntu accessibility. More programmers? More funds? More user feedback? Etc.
I am blind and currently using orca and mac. I guess I would describe myself as someone who writes small scripts to get jobs done, but certainly not a software engineer. I generally prefer the command line over GUI, but GUI is really necessary for internet and word processing. Of course, I'd love it more if orca/gnome/ubuntu were as rock-solid as the command line.

I am the IT manager at the International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs in Kerala, South India. www.bwb-iise.org 
We take motivated and talented individuals from all over the world, mainly developing countries, who become active to create positive social change in their communities. 
About half of our participants are blind or have other disabilities. We use mainly Ubuntu. 
We have a few things we can offer ubuntu accessibility:

- User feedback. We could install latest builds and provide regular feedback. 
- Fund raising. We are connected to quite a few donors who are generally interested in making a considerate impact in the developing world.
Completely accessible ubuntu would enable many people to have access to computers.
- Since the next IISE course will only start in July 2012, our campus could be used during the period from mid december to mid June. 
We are planning on hosting a few hackfests to improve accessibility of software and create new software. 
We would love to work on anything ubuntu accessibility has for us.
I can definitely get several college hackers together. 
Maybe some programmers from the company "UST global" as well. 
I guess what I need to know, is how to get them up to speed on Ubuntu, gnome and ubuntu/gnome accessibility itself. 
Myself, I know a bit of python, but nothing at all about how accessibility is structured… What does Ubuntu accessibility do differently/in addition to gnome accessibility.

If there's not currently a way to employ people directly through ubuntu then It could be that we hire some programmers specifically to work on gnome and ubuntu accessibility… So if you're experienced in this area and want to work in India, let us know.
From our viewpoint, we are annoyed that accessibility is almost there, but not quite good enough to prevent our participants from returning home and most likely be forced to use illegal copies of windows and accessibility software. So our thought is: what can we do to get gnome and gnome-orca to work as well as windows and mac solutions.
On behalf of all of our visually impaired participants as well as all of them around the world I want to say THanks very much for your interest, ideas, suggestions and feedback!

With best wishes,

David Sexton
+919400332251

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