accessibility & ubuntu

[Jason Grieves]

Greetings,

Thanks for your comments.  As a low vision user, I came into Ubuntu around 6
months ago.  I felt similarly aggravated with the lack of accessibility, but
much as improved since then.  Though I do not have a perfect environment
setup yet, we are making head way into our projects.  I can actually sit 2
feet away from my computer, with my glasses off (20/400 vision!) and work in
Firefox and Open Office.  All with open source technology.  

First, a sub-forum for accessibility in the main ubuntu page is asking a
lot, even though I'd love to see it.  Though I believe we are making much
more headway than other distributions, we still do not have a huge
following. I believe there was a meeting discussing setting up a forum for
separate questions.  I do not believe that has been investigated yet.

Dapper will be greatly improving accessibility.  To begin, the install will
be accessible.  Second, gnopernicus packages have improved, and speech can
be turned on immediately after grabbing gnopernicus.  The magnifier still
seems to be an issue, but I am working on documentation on how to get it in
a usable environment similar to Zoomtext.

On the forums I have my signature as proud member of the Accessibility-Team.
I should hotlink this to the web pages!  I should also post more!  Perhaps
we can all do this?  I have received several emails/Private messages with
regards to this in my signature.  

#ubuntu-accessibility, if I remember correctly.  Luke Idles in there and
last semester I was in there idled 8 hours a day (while working).  Now back
at college with a vigorous schedule, I can't seem to stay/get in there.  As
the project strengthens our presence should increase.  

I am reminded of a wise philosopher (Field of Dreams) If you build it, they
will come.  A lot of what you are discussing is support.  I think as we get
the infrastructure in place, more disabled users will join ranks, etc.  

Looking forward to what we can continue to accomplish,

Jason Grieves

-----Original Message-----
From: ubuntu-accessibility-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
[mailto:ubuntu-accessibility-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com] On Behalf Of Melissa
Draper
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2006 2:20 AM
To: ubuntu-accessibility at lists.ubuntu.com
Subject: accessibility & ubuntu

I originally posted the text below to the community chat yesterday, and
UbuWu directed me to post it here as well...so I am.

Greetings,

A few hours ago in the IRC #ubuntu channel, a vision impaired individual
asked whether if there was any word-processor type packages that were
more user-friendly for vision-impaired people than OpenOffice or
Abiword. This person was directed to consult the development team in the
#ubuntu-devel channel about possible remedies, and was not taken
seriously due to a comment he had made earlier in the #ubuntu channel.

First off, I would like to mention that I am aware of the port of Hoary
to be accessible approximately a year ago, even before my involvement
with Ubuntu began (see here). I am also aware that there is an
accessibility team (see here) - although it does not seem to have much
of a presence either in the forums or in the freenode IRC network.

I am not visually-impaired, but nonetheless believe that this issue is
something that should be taken seriously. Vision impairment is something
that will strike many of us eventually, and it is unfortunate that some
people aquire this problem earlier than others.

As an outsider, I would like to make a few suggestions:

- Forum: I believe it would be highly beneficial for there to be a
sub-forum somewhere for people to post accessibility howtos, and for
interested/affected people to ask questions and offer suggestions to
each other.

- IRC: This would be mainly beneficial for walk-ins, such as the
individual tonight, where they can ask a question to people who can help
them.

Since the catchcry of Ubuntu is 'Linux for Human Beings', it's seems
only fair that special effort is taken towards this issue and the
existance of the accessibility team is an indication that this is being
done. However, it seems silly that such an intitiative is such a hidden
force.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the
accessibility team for all their hard work. Although I have not the need
for their efforts at this time, one day, I may.

Meldra


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