SDB:Screen reader applications in openSUSE

From openSUSE

Version: 10.2

Background

Screen reader applications are designed for people who are blind or visually impaired. Their primary function is to convert relevant or highlighted parts of the screen into synthesized speech or Braille.

In the Linux environment in general, screen readers are divided into two categories: Those that work for the Console and those that work in the graphical interface.

In this authors experience, the best screen readers are Speakup working in the console and Orca running in the Gnome window manager.

Other screen readers include SBL, the SuSE Blinux project developed specifically for Linux, BrlTTY, a screen reader primarily focusing on Braille output, Yasr, similar to Speakup, Gnopernicus working in Gnome and KTTS for KDE.

Introduction

Open SuSE 10.2 is a very versatile distribution. With the aim of ensuring as many people can use this system, we have included accessibility support in a number of areas. The author of this document hopes to provide just some of the options open to you at the moment.

Orca

Orca is the primary screen reader for the X graphicle system at the moment. It is included in Gnome 2.16 and later. It can be used by Blind or Low vision users to navigate the Gnome Window manager and its containing applications utilizing Synthesized Speech, Braille, Magnification or a combination of all three. All of these options as well as a wealth of others can be configured via the Orca Graphicle Interface.

Fortunately, the Gnome base pattern in Yast contains Orca so it therefore works from the start. If synthesized speech is your preferred method of output, a sound card should be first set up and configured before using Orca. If you are using a Braille display, BrlTTY may need to be configured and recompiled into gnome-speech to add support for your Braille display.

To start Orca for the first time, at the Gnome desktop, press The Alt F2 combination to start the launch application dialogue box and type orca. Press enter to confirm and launch the application or escape to exit the dialogue and remove your changes. Orca should start speaking after a moment and you will be guided through setting some basic options. Answer Y or N as prompted. After the conclusion of this set up process, Close your gnome session and log in again.

The Orca community keep the Orca website updated regularly with tips, documentation and news. Visit [1] for more details.

SUSE Blinux

SUSE Blinux is Part of the SUSE Distribution and has been since Version 7.0 . The Purpose of SUSE Blinux is to ensure accessibility for blind and visually impaired people right from the start of installation. The Suse Blinux detects if a Braille Display is connected via a serial connection. If yes, the installation will continue in text mode and SBL will be installed automatically. if no display is detected the normal installation mode goes ahead. If no Braille Display is connected during installation the package sbl needs to be installed manually during or after the installation.

SUSE Blinux is a screenreader for the Textmode of SUSE Linux and cannot be used to navigate the graphical Desktop environment. You will get more information about Blinux right here.

If you are a German speaker, you will find valuable information regarding this screen reader at the following address: [2]

You can also subscribe to the SUSE Blinux mailing list.

Send an Email to suse-blinux-d-subscribe@suse.com Please leave the Subject and Body of the Email empty.

Other screen readers

There are of course other screen reader applications available for the Linux operating system however they are not directly supported by the SUSE distribution. Such screen readers include Speakup, BrlTTY, SLR, Gnopernicus, Yasr etc.[[Category:SDB: Applications] [[Category:SDB:10.2]