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.
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/
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.
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
+ + . The tab contains the following options: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.
selects a font for displaying documents.
selects a font to use for the text that is displayed on the desktop background only.
selects a font for the text that is displayed in the title bar area of windows.
selects a font to use for editing documents.
To specify how to render fonts on the desktop select either:
,
,
or
.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
tool. Some applications allow this default font to be customized.If you have difficulties with the desktop contrast, you can change the contrast.
To change change the contrast theme, select
+ + + . The tab contains several high- and low-contrast themes.To customize the desktop background, select
+ + + .Set the
to .Set the “Solid Color”.
toSelect a background color that suits your needs.
Ensure that the
option is selected in the tabbed section of the dialog.In the gedit text editor, ensure that the
option is selected in the tabbed section of the dialog.If you have problems with the desktop print size, you can select the
theme. To configure the large-print desktop, click on + + + and select .Click on the
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.