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<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"><title>Chapter 4. Assistive Technologies</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="susebooks.css" type="text/css"><meta name="generator" content="DocBook XSL Stylesheets V1.75.2"><link rel="home" href="index.html" title="Documentation"><link rel="up" href="part.gnome.desktop.html" title="Part I. Introduction"><link rel="prev" href="cha.gnome.settings.html" title="Chapter 3. Customizing Your Settings"><link rel="next" href="part.gnome.manage.html" title="Part II. Internet Connectivity, Files and Resources"></head><body bgcolor="white" text="black" link="#0000FF" vlink="#840084" alink="#0000FF"><div class="navheader"><table width="100%" summary="Navigation header" border="0" class="bctable"><tr><td width="80%"><div class="breadcrumbs"><p><a href="index.html"> Documentation</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="book.gnomeuser.html">GNOME User Guide</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="part.gnome.desktop.html">Introduction</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><strong><a accesskey="p" title="Chapter 3. Customizing Your Settings" href="cha.gnome.settings.html"><span>◀</span></a> </strong></p></div></td></tr></table></div><div class="chapter" title="Chapter 4. Assistive Technologies"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title"><a name="cha.gnome.accessibility"></a>Chapter 4. Assistive Technologies<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#cha.gnome.accessibility">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><div class="toc"><p><b>Contents</b></p><dl><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.gnome.accessibility.html#sec.general.accessibility.tips">4.1. General Accessibility Features</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.gnome.accessibility.html#mobil.impair">4.2. Mobility Impairments</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.gnome.accessibility.html#Orca">4.3. Orca</a></span></dt></dl></div><div class="abstract" title="Abstract"><p class="title"><b>Abstract</b></p><p>
The GNOME user interface includes many accessibility features and
assistive technologies. All applications in the GNOME Desktop have
specially designed accessibility features. Thanks to the many
customization tools users with with physical disabilities can use all
features of the GNOME Desktop.
</p><p>
This chapter describes several assistive technology applications designed
to meet the needs of users with physical disabilities like low vision or
impaired motor skills.
</p></div><div class="sect1" title="4.1. General Accessibility Features"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.general.accessibility.tips"></a>4.1. General Accessibility Features<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.general.accessibility.tips">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
A number of technologies can be of assistance to people with different
types of disabilities. These are covered in this section.
</p><p>
For a more detailed guide, see:
<a class="ulink" href="http://library.gnome.org/users/gnome-access-guide/" target="_top">http://library.gnome.org/users/gnome-access-guide/</a>
</p><div class="sect2" title="4.1.1. Desktop Appearance Enhancement"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.desctop.appearence.enhancement"></a>4.1.1. Desktop Appearance Enhancement<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.desctop.appearence.enhancement">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
There are several ways to customize the appearance of the GNOME desktop.
Themes are the most effective way to change the appearance of the
desktop in a consistent manner. You can also customize different
applications and the desktop to get the display settings that you need,
in addition or as an alternative to themes. For details, see
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html" title="Chapter 3. Customizing Your Settings">Chapter 3, <i>Customizing Your Settings</i></a>.
</p><div class="sect3" title="4.1.1.1. Font Settings of the Desktop"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="custom.components.desktop"></a>4.1.1.1. Font Settings of the Desktop<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#custom.components.desktop">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
If you have difficulties with the default font type and size on the
desktop and desktop background, you can customize the font settings to
suit your needs.
</p><p>
To change the font, select <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Appearance</span>. The <span class="guimenu">Fonts</span> tab contains the following
options:
</p><div class="variablelist"><dl><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Application Font</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
<span class="guimenu">Application Font</span> selects a default font for the
text that is displayed on the desktop, including the text displayed
on the windows and dialogs associated with GNOME-compliant
applications.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Document Font</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
<span class="guimenu">Document Font</span> selects a font for displaying
documents.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Desktop Font</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
<span class="guimenu">Desktop Font</span> selects a font to use for the text that
is displayed on the desktop background only.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Window Title Font</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
<span class="guimenu">Window Title Font</span> selects a font for the text
that is displayed in the title bar area of windows.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Fixed Width Font</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
<span class="guimenu">Fixed Width Font</span> selects a font to use for
editing documents.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Font Rendering</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
To specify how to render fonts on the desktop select either:
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<span class="guimenu">Monochrome</span>,
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<span class="guimenu">Best Shapes</span>,
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
<span class="guimenu">Best Contrast</span>
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
or <span class="guimenu">Subpixel Smoothing</span>.
</p></li></ul></div></dd></dl></div><p>
If you use large fonts, you may need to change the size of panes in
some applications, such as the file manager and Help browser.
</p><p>
By default, GNOME applications use the default font specified in the
<span class="guimenu">Appearance Preference</span> tool. Some applications allow
this default font to be customized.
</p></div><div class="sect3" title="4.1.1.2. Desktop Contrast"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="Custom.desktop.contrast"></a>4.1.1.2. Desktop Contrast<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#Custom.desktop.contrast">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
If you have difficulties with the desktop contrast, you can change the
contrast.
</p><p>
To change change the contrast theme, select <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu"> Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Appearance Preferences</span>+<span class="guimenu">Theme</span>. The <span class="guimenu">Theme</span> tab contains several high-
and low-contrast themes.
</p><p>
To customize the desktop background, select <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu"> Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Appearance Preferences</span>+<span class="guimenu">Background</span>.
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Set the <span class="guimenu">Desktop Wallpaper</span> to <span class="guimenu">No
Wallpaper</span>.
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Set the <span class="guimenu">Desktop Colors</span> to <span class="quote">“<span class="quote">Solid
Color</span>”</span>.
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Select a background color that suits your needs.
</p></li></ul></div><p>
Ensure that the <span class="guimenu">Use colors from system theme</span> option
is selected in the <span class="guimenu">Colors</span> tabbed section of the
<span class="guimenu">Editing Profile</span> dialog.
</p><p>
In the gedit text editor, ensure that the <span class="guimenu">Use default theme
colors</span> option is selected in the <span class="guimenu">Colors & Fonts
</span> tabbed section of the <span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>
dialog.
</p></div><div class="sect3" title="4.1.1.3. a Large-Print Desktop"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="custom.desktop.fonts"></a>4.1.1.3. a Large-Print Desktop<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#custom.desktop.fonts">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
If you have problems with the desktop print size, you can select the
<span class="guimenu">Large Print</span> theme. To configure the large-print
desktop, click on <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">
Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Appearance Preferences</span>+<span class="guimenu">Theme</span> and select <span class="guimenu">Large
Print</span>.
</p><p>
Click on the <span class="guimenu">Apply Font</span> to increase the size of the
font that is used on the desktop and on window frames.
</p><p>
If you use applications that use panes, like the file manager and help
browser, you may need to change the size of panes to accommodate the
large print. See the online help for the appropriate application for
more information.
</p></div></div></div><div class="sect1" title="4.2. Mobility Impairments"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="mobil.impair"></a>4.2. Mobility Impairments<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#mobil.impair">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
Mobility impairments can have many causes. Poor muscle control or
weakness can make using standard keyboards and mouse devices difficult.
For instance, some people are unable to type two keys simultaneously,
others hit multiple keys or bounce keys when pressing or releasing them.
People who are able to use only one hand often have difficulties with
some keyboard and mouse tasks.
</p><div class="sect2" title="4.2.1. Mouse Behavior"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.access.mouse.behavior"></a>4.2.1. Mouse Behavior<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.access.mouse.behavior">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The following sections describe how to modify the behavior of the mouse
to suit your needs.
</p><div class="sect3" title="4.2.1.1. Mouse for Left-Handed Use"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="mouse.lefthand"></a>4.2.1.1. Mouse for Left-Handed Use<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#mouse.lefthand">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
If you have difficulties using the right-handed mouse, you can change
the mouse setting to left-handed. To configure the mouse for
left-handed use, select <span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Mouse Preference</span> and select the
<span class="guimenu">Left-handed</span> mouse orientation. When you select this
option, the system swaps the functions of the left and the right mouse
button.
</p></div><div class="sect3" title="4.2.1.2. Double-Click Behavior"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="access.double.click"></a>4.2.1.2. Double-Click Behavior<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#access.double.click">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
If you have difficulties double-clicking, you can increase the period
of time that the system between the first and the second click of a
double-click. For example, if the double-click timeout setting is 0.4
seconds, you must perform the second click of a double-click within 0.4
seconds of the first click. If the second click occurs more than 0.4
seconds after the first click, the system interprets the two clicks as
two single clicks.
</p><p>
To configure the double-click timeout setting , select <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Mouse Preferences</span> and specify the
<span class="guimenu">Double-Click Timeout</span>. Double-click on the light bulb
to the right of the slider to test the setting. If you perform the two
clicks of the double-click within the specified period, the light bulb
energizes fully to display a yellow glow around the bulb. If you do not
double-click within the timeout specified, the light bulb does not
energize fully. You should increase the timeout setting and try again.
When the light bulb energizes, the timeout setting is suitable for your
needs.
</p></div><div class="sect3" title="4.2.1.3. Mouse Speed and Sensitivity"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="mouse.speed"></a>4.2.1.3. Mouse Speed and Sensitivity<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#mouse.speed">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
If you have difficulties with the behavior of the pointer, you can
change the speed and sensitivity of the pointer. To configure the speed
and sensitivity of the pointer, select <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu"> Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Mouse Preferences</span>+<span class="guimenu">General</span>.
</p><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Sensitivity</span> slider to specify how responsive
the pointer is to movements of the mouse. Moving the slider to the
right will increase sensitivity and moving it to the left will decrease
sensitivity.
</p><p>
Use the slider in the <span class="guimenu">Drag and Drop</span> section to
modify the distance that you must move an item with the pointer before
the action is interpreted as a drag and drop action.
</p><p>
If you select a low acceleration setting, the pointer moves at a speed
similar to the speed at which you are physically moving the mouse or
other pointer device. This means that you need to physically move the
mouse larger distances to cover the screen area. If you select a high
setting, the pointer moves at a faster speed than the speed at which
you physically move the mouse. This means that you need to physically
move the mouse smaller distances to cover the screen area.
</p></div><div class="sect3" title="4.2.1.4. Accessible Keyboard"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="sec.accessible.keyboard"></a>4.2.1.4. Accessible Keyboard<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.accessible.keyboard">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Keyboard Preference</span> tool to configure the
keyboard accessibility options. To open the <span class="guimenu">Keyboard
Preference</span> tool, choose <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu"> Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Keyboard</span>. Accessibility options can be
enabled by selecting the <span class="guimenu">Accessibility</span> tab.
</p></div><div class="sect3" title="4.2.1.5. Accessible Mouse"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="access.mouse"></a>4.2.1.5. Accessible Mouse<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#access.mouse">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Mouse Preferences</span> tool to configure the
mouse accessibility options. To open the <span class="guimenu">Mouse
Preferences</span> tool, choose <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu"> Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Mouse Preferences</span>. Accessibility
options can be enabled by selecting the
<span class="guimenu">Accessibility</span> tab.
</p></div></div><div class="sect2" title="4.2.2. GNOME On-Screen Keyboard"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="mobil.gok"></a>4.2.2. GNOME On-Screen Keyboard<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#mobil.gok">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The GNOME On-Screen Keyboard (GOK) displays virtual keyboards on your
desktop. You can use the standard pointer or an alternative pointing
device to operate the virtual keyboards. GOK displays the following
types of keyboards:
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Composer Keyboards enable you to compose text. To type alphanumeric
characters, select the characters on the composer keyboard.
</p></li></ul></div><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Dynamic Keyboards reflect the applications that are currently running
on the desktop. For example, On-Screen Keyboard generates dynamic
keyboards that contain keys to represent the applications that are
running on your desktop or the menus that are contained in an
application.
</p></li></ul></div><p>
You must enable assistive technology services before you are able to use
many of the available <span class="guimenu">Accessibility</span> tools.
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Choose <span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Assistive Technologies</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Select <span class="guimenu"> Enable assistive technologies</span> and press
<span class="guimenu">Close</span> and <span class="guimenu">Log Out</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Log back in. Assistive technology services are now activated.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="4.2.3. Maximizing Application Windows"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="id420494"></a>4.2.3. Maximizing Application Windows<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#id420494">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
If you are an On-Screen Keyboard user, you cannot use any application in
Full-Screen mode because the application window obscures the On-Screen
Keyboard display.
</p><p>
To resize the window for use with the On-Screen Keyboard application,
perform the following steps:
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Do not enable the Full-Screen mode in the application.
</p></li><li><p>
Give focus to the application window.
</p></li><li><p>
Press <span class="keycap">F10</span> to maximize the application.
</p></li></ol></div></div></div><div class="sect1" title="4.3. Orca"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="Orca"></a>4.3. Orca<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#Orca">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
Visual limitations range from low vision to blindness. Users with visual
disabilities encounter problems when seeing text or images on a computer
screen and when performing tasks that require hand-eye coordination, like
moving a computer mouse. Text size and color can make a big difference in
legibility for people with low vision.
</p><p>
Orca is a flexible, extensible, and powerful assistive technology for
people with visual impairments. Using various combinations of speech
synthesis, braille and magnification, the Orca Screen Reader and Orca
Magnifier application enable users with limited or no vision to use the
GNOME desktop and associated applications. The screen reader also
supports Braille.
</p><div class="sect2" title="4.3.1. Running Orca"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="run.orca"></a>4.3.1. Running Orca<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#run.orca">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
For a text-only guided setup, open a <span class="guimenu">Run</span> dialog with
<span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">F2</span>,
enter <span class="command"><strong>Orca <code class="option">text-setup</code></strong></span> and press
<span class="keycap">Enter</span>.
</p><p>
The first time Orca is launched you will be presented with a list of
languages from which to choose. Enter the ID number of your language
(for example, <code class="literal">7</code> for American English) and press
<span class="keycap">Enter</span>.
</p><p>
When you run Orca for the first time, it will automatically enter setup
mode. If you want to run setup at some later point, you can pass the
<code class="option">setup</code> option to Orca the next time you run it.
Furthermore, while Orca is running you can press <span class="keycap">Ins</span>+<span class="keycap">Space</span> to
bring up Orca's configuration GUI. Finally, Orca provides a text setup
utility that you can start by passing the <code class="option">--text-setup</code>
option to Orca. All of these options will create a
<code class="filename">~/.orca/user-settings.py</code> file that holds your
Control Center and will also enable the accessibility infrastructure.
You need to log out and log back in for the new setting to take effect.
</p><p>
Start Orca by typing <span class="command"><strong>orca</strong></span> in a terminal session
window. You can do so from a virtual console window if you do not yet
have access to the GUI. With the GUI installed you can also press
<span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">F2</span> to
bring up the <span class="guimenu">Run</span> dialog and then type the command
<span class="command"><strong>orca</strong></span> (followed by any optional parameters) and press
<span class="keycap">Enter</span>. Orca will automatically enter text
setup mode if you run it from a virtual console window or if your GUI
environment is not yet set up for accessibility.
</p><p>
To quit Orca press <span class="keycap">Ins</span>+<span class="keycap">Q</span> (or <span class="keycap">CapsLock</span>+<span class="keycap">Q</span> in laptop layout mode). A
<span class="guimenu">Confirmation</span> dialog will appear.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="4.3.2. Braille Page"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="orca.braille"></a>4.3.2. Braille Page<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#orca.braille">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The braille page allows you to customize various aspects of braille
usage.
</p><p>
The first control on the braille page is the <span class="guimenu">Enable braille
support</span> check box. This check box toggles whether or not Orca
will make use of a braille display.
</p><p>
Orca's braille monitor provides an on-screen representation of what
takes place on the braille display. This feature is mostly for
demonstration purposes, but is also useful for Orca developers who do
not have access to a braille display.
</p><p>
The <span class="guimenu">Abbreviated role names</span> check box determines the
manner in which role names are displayed and can be used to help
conserve real estate on the braille display.
</p><p>
When checked, this feature tells Orca to not present the
<code class="literal">$1</code> string at the end of a line.
</p><p>
The <span class="guimenu">verbosity</span> radio button group determines the
amount of information that will be, in certain situations, converted to
braille.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="4.3.3. Magnifier Page"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="orca.magnifier"></a>4.3.3. Magnifier Page<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#orca.magnifier">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The magnifier page allows you to enable/disable magnification and
specify how magnification is performed.
</p><p>
The first control on the magnifier page is the <span class="guimenu">Enable
magnifier</span> check box. This check box toggles whether or not
Orca will provide magnification. This option, along with the ability to
enable speech and to enable braille support, allows Orca to be tailored
to meet the needs of a wide variety of users.
</p><p>
Two zoomer GUI controls determine magnification characteristics:
<span class="guimenu">Scale factor</span>, which sets magnification power and
<span class="guimenu">Position</span>, which sets the location and size of the
magnifier window.
</p></div></div></div><div class="navfooter"><table width="100%" summary="Navigation footer" border="0" class="bctable"><tr><td width="80%"><div class="breadcrumbs"><p><a href="index.html"> Documentation</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="book.gnomeuser.html">GNOME User Guide</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="part.gnome.desktop.html">Introduction</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><strong><a accesskey="p" title="Chapter 3. Customizing Your Settings" href="cha.gnome.settings.html"><span>◀</span></a> </strong></p></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>
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