Comments on: Just Because It’s Digital Doesn’t Mean It’s Accessible

By: Taylor

Taylor — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:00:51 +0000

If you look here http://reformedmusings.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/ubuntu-compiz-config.png this is is a graphical representation of features that are standard to Compiz which IS INCLUDED with every ubuntu distro these features while primarily targeted to those with vision problems are indeed robust, and are configurable from the command line as is everything else in linux, therefore requiring no further downloads.

As for text to speech, orca is included out of the gate as well.

By: susabelle

susabelle — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:47:21 +0000

My students have avoided Netbooks because of accessibility issues. Accessibility is not native to any Linux distro; it can be added, but it isn’t native. Enlargement and contrast are only minor features that will accommodate some users, but without text-to-speech, full accessibility is not reached for blind users.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:40:21 +0000

Your claim that linux has no built in accessibility is patently false. Read into Compix (included in every ubuntu disto) and it’s BUILT IN magnification and contrast settings –available without any downloads– and then reconsider your stance on linux.

Ubuntu is the most common linux distro for consumer products and as someone who knows several people in the computer sciences who are legally blind I feel I am justified in passing on their comments that Ubuntu is simply the easiest OS for them to use because of it’s built in accessibility features.

Perhaps it would be better to do some research before knocking something you clearly don’t understand.