accessibility & ubuntu

[Melissa Draper]

I originally posted the text below to the community chat yesterday, and
UbuWu directed me to post it here as well...so I am.

Greetings,

A few hours ago in the IRC #ubuntu channel, a vision impaired individual
asked whether if there was any word-processor type packages that were
more user-friendly for vision-impaired people than OpenOffice or
Abiword. This person was directed to consult the development team in the
#ubuntu-devel channel about possible remedies, and was not taken
seriously due to a comment he had made earlier in the #ubuntu channel.

First off, I would like to mention that I am aware of the port of Hoary
to be accessible approximately a year ago, even before my involvement
with Ubuntu began (see here). I am also aware that there is an
accessibility team (see here) - although it does not seem to have much
of a presence either in the forums or in the freenode IRC network.

I am not visually-impaired, but nonetheless believe that this issue is
something that should be taken seriously. Vision impairment is something
that will strike many of us eventually, and it is unfortunate that some
people aquire this problem earlier than others.

As an outsider, I would like to make a few suggestions:

- Forum: I believe it would be highly beneficial for there to be a
sub-forum somewhere for people to post accessibility howtos, and for
interested/affected people to ask questions and offer suggestions to
each other.

- IRC: This would be mainly beneficial for walk-ins, such as the
individual tonight, where they can ask a question to people who can help
them.

Since the catchcry of Ubuntu is 'Linux for Human Beings', it's seems
only fair that special effort is taken towards this issue and the
existance of the accessibility team is an indication that this is being
done. However, it seems silly that such an intitiative is such a hidden
force.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the
accessibility team for all their hard work. Although I have not the need
for their efforts at this time, one day, I may.

Meldra