I'm currently writing a program in Windows, that uses SAPI. I can get the program so far to play songs, close applications, open applications, browse the internet, tell me the time, date, etc. Using my voice. I will be programming more features.

I know there's the inherent accessibility in some Linux OS.

I'm new to Linux. I'd like to be able to start porting this program in Linux.
My main goal is to add more accessibility for users who are legally blind, have limited physical functionality, etc.

I'm sure this is possible. Not sure how easy it'll be able to program as it has been in Windows.

Also has anyone had any experience with adaptive device?

I think Linux is more of a perfect platform for this technology, since it's open source. A user will not need to be bound by a paid version of an OS either Windows/Mac

Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. My entrance into Linux is long overdue!

Hi,

I'm not involved in accessibility myself, but as far as I know the place to start would be here: http://accessiblecomputingfoundation.org/.

Good luck.

Cheers,

Evo2.

Thanks for the reply.

Maybe lets start with something simple. Such as having a program. Open the calculator would I simulate as if I was typing in the command line? or is there something easier?
What would I use to close the calculator once I'm done with it.

Hi,
What do you mean? Are you talking about an existing program, or are you discussing a hypothetical calculator program?

It depends on the calculator you are using and possibly the window manager. For example, with apcalc or bc you'd press Ctrl-d.

For a gui program you might use Alt-f-x, or perhaps Ctrl-w. Or by using a screen reader like orca you could navigate the menus with your mouse and select the exit option.

Again I encourage you to have a poke around that the web site I linked to, and to read anything written by Jonathan Nadeau or listen to his podcasts.

Evo2.

Hi,
What do you mean? Are you talking about an existing program, or are you discussing a hypothetical calculator program?

It depends on the calculator you are using and possibly the window manager. For example, with apcalc or bc you'd press Ctrl-d.

For a gui program you might use Alt-f-x, or perhaps Ctrl-w. Or by using a screen reader like orca you could navigate the menus with your mouse and select the exit option.

Again I encourage you to have a poke around that the web site I linked to, and to read anything written by Jonathan Nadeau or listen to his podcasts.

Evo2.

I have been going the website you have linked. Currently looking on the internet for stuff by Jonathan.

Thought it'd be easier to do an actual program. So right now I'm using Ubuntu, I want to open the calculator application. As a sighted user I can find the application using the Launcher. Maybe I could simulate a terminal command, unless there's something easier. With a certain voice command. Such as "Open Calculator" I know I have to work on the speech recognition.
My issue is trying to learn where I would find that information to have a C++ or any other language to have a function if you will to open the calculator. Then close the calculator. Ideally I would be able to also perform mathematical functions using voice as well. Thought I would start with the open and close.

Hi,
As a blind user you could do it the same way since you would have a screen reader like orca running.
I don't know for sure but I suspect this is not the standard approach. I suspect that typing the command into a "run command" type dialog would be the most efficient approach... but I'm just speculating here.

From what I've heard on the topic I think that the general approach is to write the programs in much the same way as for signted users and let graphical toolkit that has accessibility built in provide the extra/alternative accessible interface in conjunction with a screen reader like orca. Perhaps you can get more information at the Ubuntu Accessibility forum: http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=145

But anyway I think the main thing is that frameworks exist that you don't need to reinvent the wheel.

HTH,

Evo2.