Linux, as a whole, is advancing – and we are as well. Applications that work for us now may not be as easy to use in the future. Embracing accessibility in Linux will ensure that as we age, our systems will age with us, and will also enable people with disabilities to join the Linux community, contributing new ideas and concepts that could change the very nature of how we access technology. This presentation will discuss what's working – and not working – for accessibility in Linux, and why it is crucial to the future of not only the Linux community, but Linux itself as well. Spencer will also address the following: the current state of accessibility in Linux; the Confinement Cycle, and how Linux's continuing evolution into mobile computing and the Internet of Things can change it; ways to 'bake-in' accessibility (and why this is needed); and why we must design for our future selves. *Re-uploaded to include notes; PDF will be available for download seperately.
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1. Universal Tux: Accessibility for our Future Selves Spencer
Hunley
2. What IS Assistive & Accessible Technology? Assistive
Technology: umbrella term covering assistive, adaptive, and
rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities Hardware
examples: refreshable braille displays, magnifiers, alternate mice
and keyboards, etc. Software examples: screen readers,
text-to-speech programs, speech-to-text programs, screen
magnifiers, etc. 3. Why Accessibility is Important Crucial to the
future of desktop & mobile Linux Larger, more diversified
userbase; more complete development/beta testing Usability&
interface evolution 4. Confinement Cycle Locating funding for
proprietary AT is itself a barrier to accessibility z Linux +
Internet of Things = true independence f Use single-board computers
(SBC) to automate a persons living space 5. State of Accessibility
on Linux Desktops (a.k.a. what works, what doesnt) 6. Whats Working
Orca Screen Reader High Contrast Themes Vinux SONAR Linux (beta)
Basic accessibility in high-profile distros 7. Whats Not Working
Novel programs created, briefly maintained, then...stall
Documentation frequently out of date, lacking information Native
accessibility can be buggy; sometimes doesnt play well with other
accessibility applications 8. A Recipe to Bake-In Accessibility
ATK/AT-SPI Accerciser GNU LDTP, Dogtail for GUI testing Smoke
testing 9. Designing for our Future Selves Interfaces that age with
us Flexible desktop environments, menus, etc. Seniors != computer
noobs 10. Further Information Open A11y Workgroup: opena11y.org
GNOME Accessibility: wiki.gnome.org/Accessibility Fedora
Accessibility Guide: preview.tinyurl.com/fedoraguidea11y Dogtail:
fedorahosted.org/dogtail f KDE Open Speech Initiative:
speech.kde.org I Vinux Project: vinuxproject.org 11. Further
Information Sonar Project: sonargnulinux.com Accessible Computing
Foundation: accessiblecomputingfoundation.org Open Mind Speech:
freespeech.sourceforge.net Emacspeak:
www.cs.cornell.edu/home/raman/emacspeak Speakup:
www.linux-speakup.org Linux Foundation Accessibility Workgroup:
preview.tinyurl.com/lfa11yworkgroup 12. Universal Tux on Google+
http://preview.tinyurl.com/universaltux Spencer Hunley
about.me/spencerhunley [email protected]
