Assistive Technologies

Contents

4.1. General Accessibility Features
4.2. Mobility Impairments
4.3. Orca

Abstract

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.

This chapter describes several assistive technology applications designed to meet the needs of users with physical disabilities like low vision or impaired motor skills.

General Accessibility Features

A number of technologies can be of assistance to people with different types of disabilities. These are covered in this section.

For a more detailed guide, see: http://library.gnome.org/users/gnome-access-guide/

Desktop Appearance Enhancement

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 Chapter 3, Customizing Your Settings.

Font Settings of the Desktop

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.

To change the font, select System+ Control Center+Appearance Preferences. The Fonts tab contains the following options:

Application Font

Application Font 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.

Document Font

Document Font selects a font for displaying documents.

Desktop Font

Desktop selects a font to use for the text that is displayed on the desktop background only.

Window Title Font

Window Title Font selects a font for the text that is displayed in the title bar area of windows.

Fixed Width Font

Fixed Width Font selects a font to use for editing documents.

Font Rendering

To specify how to render fonts on the desktop select either:

  • Monochrome,

  • Best Shapes,

  • Best Contrast

  • or Subpixel Smoothing.

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.

By default, GNOME applications use the default font specified in the Appearance Preference tool. Some applications allow this default font to be customized.

Desktop Contrast

If you have difficulties with the desktop contrast, you can change the contrast.

To change change the contrast theme, select System+ Control Center+Appearance Preferences+Theme. The Theme tab contains several high- and low-contrast themes.

To customize the desktop background, select System+ Control Center+Appearance Preferences+Background.

  • Set the Desktop Wallpaper to No Wallpaper.

  • Set the Desktop Colors to Solid Color.

  • Select a background color that suits your needs.

Ensure that the Use colors from system theme option is selected in the Colors tabbed section of the Editing Profile dialog.

In the gedit text editor, ensure that the Use default theme colors option is selected in the Colors & Fonts tabbed section of the Control Center dialog.

a Large-Print Desktop

If you have problems with the desktop print size, you can select the Large Print theme. To configure the large-print desktop, click on System+ Control Center+Appearance Preferences+Theme and select Large Print.

Click on the Apply Font to increase the size of the font that is used on the desktop and on window frames.

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.