Physically Disabled

Linux Accessibility HOWTO
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# 5. Physically Disabled

There are a wide range of physical disabilities that can impair a user's mobility, and many of these impairments need to be addressed on an individual basis. This section addresses impairments that apply to users who have difficulty using a mouse, pointing device, or keyboard.

## 5.1. Keyboard Navigation

There are features that are built into the Linux operating system that allow for additional keyboard configuration. In some of the X Windows desktops these settings can be changed from the control center. An application has also been developed for X Windows called AccessX and it provides a graphical user interface for configuring all the AccessX keyboard settings. These settings are:

- StickyKeys enable the user to lock modifier keys (for example, control and shift) allowing single finger operations in place of multiple key combinations.

- MouseKeys provide alternative keyboard sequences for cursor movement and mouse button operations.

- SlowKeys requires the user to hold the key down for a specified period of time before the keystroke is accepted. This prevents keystrokes that are pressed by accident from being sent.

- ToggleKeys sound an audio alert that warns the user that a keystroke created a locking state for keys, such as Caps Lock, and Num Lock.

- RepeatKeys allow a user with limited coordination additional time to release keys before multiple key sequences are sent to the application.

- BounceKeys or Delay Keys have a delay between keystrokes. This function can help prevent the system from accepting unintentional keystrokes.

## 5.2. Assistive Technologies for the Physically Disabled

The following is a list of assistive technologies for the physically disabled:

### 5.2.1. On-Screen Keyboard

On-screen keyboards enable a user to select keys using a pointing device, such as a mouse, trackball, or touch pad. This application can be used in place of a standard keyboard.

- GTkeyboard is a on-screen, graphical keyboard and can be downloaded at: http://opop.nols.com/gtkeyboard.html.

- GNOME Onscreen Keyboard (GOK)is a on-screen, graphical keyboard that enables users to control their computer without having to rely on a standard keyboard or mouse. MOre information is available at http://www.gok.ca.

### 5.2.2. Speech Recognition

Speech recognition utilities are used by people with mobility impairments, so they can operate the computer using voice control.

- Open Mind Speech is a development project for speech recognition tools and applications. Information for the project and a mailing list are available at: http://freespeech.sourceforge.net/.

- ViaVoice Dictation for Linux allows you to write documents using your voice rather than a keyboard. Information and downloads are available at: http://www-4.ibm.com/software/speech/dev/.

- This site has information and links related to several different speech recognition utilities. http://www.trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/unix/unixshar.html.

## 5.3. Additional Resources

The following is a list of additional Web sites that may be of interest to users with mobility impairments:

- This site provides a kernel patch that can be downloaded to enable a one-handed keyboard. The download is available at: http://www.fourtytwo.de.

- Configuration and information on Adapting the Linux Keyboard for a one handed user is available at: http://www.eklhad.net/linux/app/onehand.html.

- Morseall allows the user to control a Linux shell by tapping Morse code on the left mouse button: http://sourceforge.net/projects/morseall.

- The keyboard and console HOWTO provides additional keyboard configuration information. http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/Keyboard-and-Console-HOWTO.

- There is a Speech Recognition HOWTO, written by Stephen Cook that provides complete details for anyone interested in learning more about speech recognition applications. http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/.

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