Oracle® Linux 8

Accessibility User's Guide

F30129-07September 2020

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Abstract

Oracle® Linux 8: Accessibility User's Guide provides information about accessibility features in Oracle Linux.

Document generated on: 2020-09-29 (revision: 10802)

Table of ContentsPreface .............................................................................................................................................. v1 Working With Accessibility Features in Oracle Linux 8 ...................................................................... 1

1.1 Selecting a Desktop Version ................................................................................................. 11.2 About Assistive Technologies ................................................................................................ 11.3 Accessing the Universal Access Panel .................................................................................. 1

1.3.1 Using the Classic Desktop ......................................................................................... 11.3.2 Using the Standard Desktop ...................................................................................... 21.3.3 Configuring Quick Access .......................................................................................... 2

2 Overview of Accessibility Features ................................................................................................... 53 Customizing Accessibility Features .................................................................................................. 7

3.1 Configuring the Screen Reader ............................................................................................. 73.2 Configuring the Magnifier ...................................................................................................... 83.3 Configuring Typing Assist ..................................................................................................... 83.4 Configuring Click Assist ........................................................................................................ 9

4 Using Braille ................................................................................................................................. 114.1 Configuring the BRLTTY Service ......................................................................................... 114.2 Configuring Braille Options on the Screen Reader ................................................................ 12

5 About Documentation Accessibility Features ................................................................................... 13

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PrefaceThe Oracle® Linux 8: Accessibility User's Guide describes the accessibility features that are available inthe Oracle Linux operating system.

Document generated on: 2020-09-29 (revision: 10802)

Audience

This document is intended for users and administrators of Oracle Linux. It describes accessibility featuresand tasks that are related to assistive technologies that are included in Oracle Linux. Oracle recommendsthat you read this document before installing, configuring, and using these features. The guide assumesthat readers have a general understanding of the Linux operating system.

Document Organization

The document is organized into the following chapters:

• Chapter 1, Working With Accessibility Features in Oracle Linux 8

• Chapter 2, Overview of Accessibility Features

• Chapter 3, Customizing Accessibility Features

• Chapter 4, Using Braille

• Chapter 5, About Documentation Accessibility Features

Related Documents

The latest version of this document and other documentation for this product are available at:

Oracle® Linux 8 Documentation

Conventions

The following text conventions are used in this document:

Convention Meaning

boldface Boldface type indicates graphical user interface elements associated with anaction, or terms defined in text or the glossary.

italic Italic type indicates book titles, emphasis, or placeholder variables for whichyou supply particular values.

monospace Monospace type indicates commands within a paragraph, URLs, code inexamples, text that appears on the screen, or text that you enter.

Documentation Accessibility

For information about Oracle's commitment to accessibility, visit the Oracle Accessibility Program websiteathttps://www.oracle.com/corporate/accessibility/.

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Access to Oracle Support

Access to Oracle Support

Oracle customers that have purchased support have access to electronic support through My OracleSupport. For information, visithttps://www.oracle.com/corporate/accessibility/learning-support.html#support-tab.

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Chapter 1 Working With Accessibility Features in Oracle Linux 8Accessibility features offer users with vision, hearing, and motor impairments ways to more easily use theOracle Linux desktop. This guide provides information about enabling and configuring the accessibilityfeatures that are included in Oracle Linux 8.

1.1 Selecting a Desktop Version

Oracle Linux 8 offers two versions of the GNOME desktop: Standard and Classic. To view these versions,or to switch between versions, do the following:

1. Ensure that you are logged out of the Oracle Linux 8 session.

2. Click your login user name.

3. Click the cogwheel next to the Sign In button.

The list of desktop versions is displayed.

4. (Optional) Select a desktop version.

5. Continue logging in to the server.

Your desktop selection becomes a persistent setting and applies to all authorized users of the system.

1.2 About Assistive Technologies

Assistive technologies promote accessibility for users with specific impairments.

Alternative presentations that are provided for these users include the following:

• Synthesized speech

• Magnified content

• Alternative input methods

• Additional navigation methods

• Content transformations

Software features of Oracle Linux enable users with physical impairments to use all of the functionalityof the desktop. A variety of desktop tools also enable you to customize the desktop's appearance andbehavior.

Note that the Anaconda installation software for Oracle Linux 8 does not provide any accessibility features.

1.3 Accessing the Universal Access Panel

In Oracle Linux, the assistive technologies are listed on the Universal Access panel of the GNOMEdesktop's Settings window.

1.3.1 Using the Classic Desktop

Choose one of the following methods:

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Using the Standard Desktop

• Accessing through the System Tools group icon

1. On the right side of the top bar, click System Tools.

2. Click Settings.

3. From the list of options on the left panel, select Universal Access.

• Accessing through the Applications menu option

1. On the top bar, click Applications, select System Tools, then select Settings.

2. From the list of options on the left panel, select Universal Access.

• Accessing through the command line

$ gnome-control-center universal-access

1.3.2 Using the Standard Desktop

Choose one of the following methods:

• Accessing through the System Tools group icon

1. On the right side of the top bar, click System Tools.

2. Click Settings.

3. From the list of options on the left panel, select Universal Access.

• Accessing through the Activities menu option

1. On the top bar, click Activities.

2. On the search field, type universal access.

3. Click Universal Access.

• Accessing through the command line

$ gnome-control-center universal-access

Note

By default, Oracle Linux 8 uses the Standard desktop. Accessing the UniversalAccess panel differs slightly between Standard and Classic desktops. However,the feature descriptions as well as configuration procedures are the same for both.This document assumes that you are using the default (Standard) desktop on yoursystem.

1.3.3 Configuring Quick Access

For quick access to the desktop's accessibility features, toggle the Always Show Universal Access Menuswitch on the Universal Access panel to ON.

The ON setting adds the Universal Access icon as a menu option on the desktop's top bar. Thus, even ifthe Universal Access panel is closed, you can open the list of access features to enable or disable themdirectly, as shown in the following figure.

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Configuring Quick Access

Figure 1.1 Quick Access Menu

Note

When you enable at least one feature on the Universal Access panel, the panel'sicon is automatically added to the desktop's top bar and quick access becomesavailable, even if you do not toggle the Always Show Universal Access Menuswitch to ON. However, if you then use quick access to disable all of the enabledfeatures, the panel's icon is removed and quick access is no longer available.Thereafter, you will need to return to the panel to reenable features.

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Chapter 2 Overview of Accessibility Features

In the GNOME desktop, features for aiding users with impairments are configured from the UniversalAccess panel.

On the panel, accessibility features are listed according to groups.

• Seeing

This group includes accessibility features and options for users with visual impairments. You can enableand customize the following settings:

High Contrast Adjusts the contrast of windows and buttons on-screen so they aremore or less vivid.

Large Text Enlarges the font so that it is more readable.

Cursor Size Increases and decreases the mouse cursor size.

Zoom Magnifies text so that it is more readable.

Screen Reader Reads aloud screen content to supplement visual reading. For details,see Section 3.1, “Configuring the Screen Reader”.

Sound Keys Beeps when the Num Lock or Caps Lock key is turned on or off.

• Hearing

This group includes the Visual Alerts option to aid those with hearing impairments. When enabled, theoption provides a visual indication when an alert sound occurs. Available options include: Flash thewindow title and Flash the entire screen.

• Typing

This group includes accessibility features and options for users with mobility impairments. You canenable and customize the following settings:

Screen Keyboard Enables desktop navigation and application use without a physicalkeyboard.

Repeat Keys Specifies that the keyboard not repeat letters when a key is helddown. This setting also enables you to change the delay and speed ofrepeat keys.

Cursor Blinking Causes the cursor to blink in text fields when enabled.

Typing Assist (AccessX) Opens a submenu that contains additional keyboard settings. Fordetails, see Section 3.3, “Configuring Typing Assist”.

• Pointing & Clicking

This group includes accessibility features and options for users with motor impairments that render usinga mouse or any pointing device difficult.

Mouse Keys Enables you to control the mouse pointer by using the numerickeypad on your keyboard.

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Click Assist Opens a submenu that contains additional settings for clicking themouse. For details, see Section 3.4, “Configuring Click Assist”.

Double-Click Delay Enables you to adjust the length of time to delay the double-clickaction.

For more information about universal access in the GNOME desktop, go to https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-help/stable/a11y.html.

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Chapter 3 Customizing Accessibility Features

Accessiblity features already have preconfigured settings so that they are immediately usable afteran Oracle Linux installation. However, some of these features can be customized according to yourpreference. This chapter describes these features that you can further enhance. When you enable afeature after reconfiguring it, the new settings are applied.

3.1 Configuring the Screen Reader

Oracle Linux provides Orca as its default on-screen reader. The orca package is installed on your OracleLinux 8 system by default. When enabled, the Orca screen reader speaks text as you move the focus ofyour cursor on-screen.

The Screen Reader Preferences window contains the following tabs, each of which has a list ofcustomizable settings:

General Configures how Orca generally behaves.

Voice Determines the voice that Orca uses when reading the screen.

Speech Defines what the reader reads aloud and the degree of verbosity.

Braille Configures Orca braille display support.

Key Echo Defines what the reader reads aloud while you type.

Key Bindings Defines keyboard shortcuts for Orca.

Pronunciation Configures word pronunciation.

Text Attributes Configures text formatting.

Customizing the Screen Reader

1. Type the following command:

$ orca -s

The -s option can also be typed as --setup. The command opens the Screen Reader Preferenceswindow.

2. Customize the reader according to your needs.

Make sure to go through each tab so that you can configure the different options on those tabs.

For Braille configuration, see Chapter 4, Using Braille.

3. Click Apply, then click OK.

4. At the command line, press Ctrl-C to return to the command prompt.

5. Enable the screen reader by using either the Universal Access panel or, if available, the quick accessoption.

Optionally, you can enable the screen reader at a later time.

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Configuring the Magnifier

Note

When you open the Screen Reader Preferences window, the screen reader isautomatically enabled and any action you perform on the desktop is read aloud.However, when you exit the window, the screen reader is siwtched off. This laststep makes the reader's activation a persistent setting.

For more information about customizing Orca, go to https://help.gnome.org/users/orca/stable/preferences.html.en.

3.2 Configuring the MagnifierZoom is the default magnifier that is included in the GNOME desktop for Oracle Linux 8.

The Zoom Options window contains the following tabs, each of which has a list of customizable settings:

Magnifier Configures magnification and magnifier cursor behavior.

Crosshairs Configures crosshair appearance, including color.

Note that to use Crosshairs, you would need to toggle the feature'sswitch on this tab to ON. However, the crosshairs appear only if youalso enable Zoom.

If you want to use the magnifier but not the crosshairs, you would needto return to this window to disable the feature.

Color Effects Configures display of colored content.

Customizing the Magnifier

1. Access the Universal Access panel by using your preferred method.

See Section 1.3, “Accessing the Universal Access Panel”.

2. From the list of options on the panel, select Zoom.

The Zoom Options window is displayed.

3. Customize the magnifier according to your preferences.

Make sure to go through each tab so that you can configure the different options on those tabs.

4. (Optional) Toggle the magnifier switch to ON to use the feature immediately.

You can also enable the magnifier later through the Universal Access menu icon located on thedesktop's top bar.

For more information about customizing the magnifier, go to https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-help/stable/a11y-mag.html.en.

3.3 Configuring Typing AssistTyping Assist is one of the features under the Typing group. The settings include the following:

Enable By Keyboard Enables keyboard control to navigate the desktop instead of using amouse.

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Customizing Typing Assist

For assistance with using keyboard navigation, see https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-help/stable/shell-keyboard-shortcuts.html.en.

Sitcky Keys Enables shortcut keys to be typed in sequence instead of one key beingheld before the other key is pressed.

Slow Keys Controls the delay between a key being typed and the correspoondingcharacter being displayed on-screen.

Slow Keys Controls the delay between a key being typed and the correspoondingcharacter being displayed on-screen.

Bounce Keys Enables ignoring fast and repetitive pressing of keys.

Except for Enable By Keyboard, all of the other settings can be enabled through the Universal Accessicon on the desktop's top bar.

Customizing Typing Assist

1. Access the Universal Access panel by using your preferred method.

See Section 1.3, “Accessing the Universal Access Panel”.

2. Under the Typing group, select Typing Assist (AccessX) .

The Typing Assist window is displayed.

3. Customize the settings for key behavior according to your preferences.

For more information about customizing Typing Assist, go to https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-help/stable/keyboard.html.en.

3.4 Configuring Click AssistClick Assist is one of the features under the Point & Clicking group. The settings include the following:

Simulated Secondary Click Triggers a secondary click when you hold the primary button, whichcauses the equivalent action of double-clicking.

Hover Click Triggers a click when you hover over a specific screen location, whichcauses the equivalent action of clicking or selecting..

Customizing Click Assist

1. Access the Universal Access panel by using your preferred method.

See Section 1.3, “Accessing the Universal Access Panel”.

2. Under the Pointing & Clicking group, select Click Assist.

The Click Assist window is displayed.

3. Customize the settings for mouse click behavior according to your preferences.

For more information about configuring Click Assist, go to https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-help/stable/mouse.html.en.

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Chapter 4 Using BrailleThe GNOME desktop's accessibility features include Braille support. This chapter describes the differentoptions to customize it.

4.1 Configuring the BRLTTY Service

Support for a Braille device is provided by the BRLTTY daemon (brltty). You configure this servicethrough the /etc/brltty.conf configuration file.

The following are a selection of configurations that you can set in the file:

• Authorize users who can use the Braille device.

Specify the users on the line #api-parameters Aut=user:, for example:

api-parameters Aut=user:jsmith, jdoe, bbrown

• Authorize groups who can use the Braille device.

Specify the groups on the line #api-parameters Aut=group:. For example, for a group calledbraille, you would enter:

api-parameters Aut=group:braille

• Indicate the Braille display device driver.

Uncomment the appropriate #braille-driver line that contains your selected driver. Drivers areidentified by two-letter codes, which are provided in the configuration file, for example:

braille-driver vo

On a single braille-driver line, you can specify multiple, comma-separated drivers. In this case, theservice automatically scans the list and detects the appropriate driver.

• Indicate the type of Braille display device.

Uncomment the appropriate #braille-device line that contains your selected device. Several linesthat correspond to specific device types are provided, for example:

braille-device bluetooth:address

On a single braille-device line, you can specify multiple, comma-separated devices. In this case,the service automatically scans the list and detects the appropriate device.

After completing the configuration, enable the service as follows:

1. Type the following command:

$ sudo systemctl enable brltty

2. If prompted, type your password.

3. Reboot the system.

4. After the system reboots, verify that the service is running, as follows:

$ sudo systemctl status brltty

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Configuring Braille Options on the Screen Reader

* brltty service - Braille display driver for Linux/Unix Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/brltty.service; enabled; vendor preset: disabled Active: active (running) since Wed 2020-04-15 12:07:48 PDT; 25min ago...

For more information, see the brltty(1) manual page.

4.2 Configuring Braille Options on the Screen Reader

The GNOME desktop's Screen Readers Preference window contains a page for Braille configuration. Onthe Braille page, you can configure the following settings:

Display Settings Defines how Braille is displayed.

Verbosity Determines the amount of information that is rendered in Braille.

Selection and HyperlinkIndicators

Defines how selected text and hyperlinks are displayed.

Flash Message Settings Enables notificatoins and configures how these notifications arehandled.

For more information about configuring Orca's Braille options, go to https://help.gnome.org/users/orca/stable/preferences_braille.html.en.

Note

You must also select Enable Braille support to activate Orca support for thefeature. If you subsequently make changes to the /etc/brltty.conf file, thenyou must also restart Orca.

Customizing Braille Options on Orca

1. Type the following command:

$ orca -s

The -s option can also be typed as --setup. The command opens the Screen Reader Preferenceswindow.

2. Click the Braille tab.

3. Customize the Braille options according to your needs.

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Chapter 5 About Documentation Accessibility FeaturesThis chapter describes documentation accessibility features and known issues in Oracle Linux 8.

Documentation HTML Access Keys

To use the documentation without using a mouse, you can use HTML access keys. Enter the HTMLaccess key for your browser, plus the access key letter. For example, using Mozilla Firefox, press Alt+Shift+n to go to the next page. See your web browser documentation to find the key combination to use forHTML access keys. The following table lists the tasks you can perform using access keys.

Task Access Key

Go to the next page n

Go to the previous page p

Go to the document home page h

Go up a level in the document u

Activate the Contents tab c

Activate the Search tab s

In addition to the HTML access keys, the following keyboard shortcuts are available:

Task ShortcutKey

Toggle hide and show the sidebar Ctrl+LeftArrow

Toggle hide and show page header Ctrl+UpArrow

Documentation Accessibility Issues

The following are known accessibility issues for the Oracle Linux documentation:

• Some JavaScript text items are not translated (Bug: 26717963)

• HTML page heading levels might not start at h1 (Bug: 26717728)

• Book title can extend off the screen with 200% zoom (Bug: 26717874)

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