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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Accessibility, what would the perfect blind Linux Desktop be like for you? (discussion.fedoraproject.org)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Accessibility is a really important field. Everyone should have the right to use a free and friendly Operating System.

But its a pretty nieche topic, and I also think current ways of implementing it are not perfect.

I created a Thread on Fedora Discussion (Link) but Lemmy is way more active so I would love to spread attention to this topic, and collect your ideas.

How should a blind Desktop be structured?
Are there any big dealbreakers like Wayland, TTS engines, specific applications e.g.?
What do you think would be the best base Desktop to build such a setup on?
Would you think an immutable, out of the box Distro like "Fedora Silversound", with everything included, the best tools, presets, easy setup e.g. is a good idea?
How privacy-friendly can a usable blind Desktop be?

Also, how would you like to call it? "A Talking Desktop"?

I am excited for your comments!

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Prior art is instructive: Orca.

To sum it up. Screenreaders are the main assistive interface required by blind users to interact with system applications. Linux screenreaders such as Orca interface with the AT-SPI (Assistive Technology Service Provider Interface) to provide two core functionalities:

Structured navigation of GUI elements via a keyboard interface
Navigation feedback via a Braille monitor or TTS

So that's the core. At a minimum, the desktop environment needs to ship with a bundled screenreader and AT-SPI coverage across all GUI system components. Fortunately this desktop environment already exists -- it's called Gnome.

Beyond just... shipping Gnome, the rest of the job would involve curating a list of accessible applications to be included in the out-of-box install, including blind-friendly default configurations. Ideally, there should be multiple configurations to choose from driven by a community wiki plus supporting configuration manager on the OS-side.

As for the underlying base distro -- I don't really think it matters. Immutable distros only provide declarative management for system components and most of what this project would need to cover are userland. It makes sense to borrow many of the children of such distros when building a configuration manager (e.g.: toolbox, home-manager), though these will conveniently work anywhere you want to bring them and thus won't constain the field of available options. With that being said, the ideal base distro would have the following characteristics:

Well known, well maintained, well documented
Official support for Gnome as an out-of-box, first-class desktop environment
Strong package repository game including current versions of all major assistive software
Very strong track record of stable releases that consistently boot all the way up to the display server