Assistive Technology with Terminal Servers
From Schoolforge-UK
To ensure that existing Accessibility and Assistive Technology tools and Linux Accessibility features work well with Terminal Servers such as LTSP.
The large savings when using Open Source Software in schools are largely due to using Terminal Servers solutions such as LTSP. Unfortunately some Assistive Technology, as often used by students with disabilities, does not function well in this configuration. Abi James explains in this Ability Magazine article the problems of using Terminal Servers with Dyslexia software. Although written about Window Terminal Server (Citrix based) and specific software, many of these problems are likely to also apply to Linux and AT software.
We need to ensure that Accessibility Options and other Assistive Technology work with Linux Terminal Servers with no 'tweaking' required. There may be legal requirements under the DDA. It will also ensure Open Source is more usable by ALL users, for example by ensuring that sounds and speech work correctly. This can be expected to become important as FLOSS is adopted in more and more schools.
The good news is that when Open Source AT software becomes readily available the license issues in Terminal Servers set-ups will disappear as Open Source can be copied freely.
Open Source communities usually respond rapidly to requirements but at this time there is somewhat limited attention on AT issues. We need to 'scratch someone else's itch' so that all students can benefit from FLOSS benefits in schools [apologies to Eric Raymond)].
This project will involve testing configurations and working with
- Linux distros, Desktops, LTSP etc. and other FLOSS AT/accessibility projects
- The OATS Project
- AbilityNet - the experts on AT in the UK
- AT manufacturers
See Accessibility and Assistive Technology for more information.
The fact that most Linux applications with a UI use X should greatly ease the solution.
SteveLee 08:44, 30 Jun 2005 (BST)
Related project 1: compatibility of AT products with Linux
An additional issue is that many of the popular AT software applications do not [yet] work on Linux at all. Now there is more demand for Linux we can expect more support from these manufacturers. Open Source allows AT developers themselves to add the support they need to Linux Distributions so as to provide the best solution for users.
Related project 2: standard API that AT devices can use on Linux, LTSP, Windows
A releated need is for a standard API that AT devices can use on Linux, LTSP, Windows and Terminal Services to access application state. Such an API also provides a standard way of testing via the UI. Possible variations include using X Windows or making LTSP work on Windows.
Microsoft recently announced it's UI Automation Accessibility API standard which is the replacement for it's Windows specific Active Accessibility API but positioned for cross platform use. Questions include how closely it is tied to .NET and other windows platforms and will it work with Terminal Servers or be accepted outside of Windows. The Openess of the standard and license terms are not clear. More technical details are also available.
There is also a Java Accessibility API and GNOME has something.
SteveLee 08:44, 30 Jun 2005 (BST)
