Hmmm… Seems I’m not the only one thats taking this issue seriously lately.

PeteS noticed that there is a new scriptable Linux screen reader for Gnome (alpha level 0.1.0, Python), Linux Screen Reader 0.1.0 (Default), posted on Freshmeat by four alphaWorks guys at IBM. You might like to try it out. It was added to Freshmeat on March 23, 2006. The homepage, where you find all the details is here. The briefer description on Freshmeat goes like this:

The Linux Screen Reader is a screen reader application. The core of the system is the AccessEngine, a message pump that receives events via the Assistive Technology Service Provider Interface (AT-SPI) on the GNOME desktop. The commands available for controlling the screen reader are determined by cascading scripts that completely define the user experience.

You will recall IBM committed to solving the disability issue for MA. I don’t know that there is a connection, but if enough folks help, I can see how there could be. If you are so inclined and you are not currently working on another assistive application, you might want to have at it and take it for a spin. Perhaps you will wish to add Festival support or braille definitions, or maybe you have an idea for extensions, and if so, the authors ask you to contact them. I note they mention joysticks. The homepage has contact info at the bottom of the page.

Groklaw

For the record, its not evangelising when its discussing a current topic of debate in the industry you’re a part of.