GNU / Linux

Commonly referred to as simply Linux, (note: I’m not getting into the discussion about how correct this is), GNU / Linux is a collection of projects that come together to form a customisable, flexible and most importantly free and open source ecosystem of operating systems.

Linux is very configurable, to the point where multiple flavours (distributions) of it are available, each with their own set of applications, working environment[s] and design philosophy.

This section aims to explore the accessibility options that are available when using Linux, as well as providing tips, tricks and how tos on how to set up and use these tools on various Linux distributions.

Want to Find Out More About Linux?

Some of the concepts of Linux, GNU and the Open Source Ecosystem are relatively hard to grasp at first, so I wrote an article that goes into greater detail.


What is Linux?

If you’re new round here, you’re probably asking, at almost every page you visit, “What in the actual world is linux?” In this article, I hope to shed some light on Linux, its community and its philosophy.

Blindarch - An Accessible Arch Linux Installer / Live CD

A project based on Talking Arch to create an ArchLinux live + install CD for blind and visually impaired users. Also offers an easy to use installer to allow users to set up a completely accessible and customisable arch linux installation.

Debian 9 Stretch With XFCE - Accessibility Review

As noted in my overview of Linux accessibility, Debian has, for quite some time now, been a very good choice for a blind user looking to get into Linux. It offers a speech and braille enabled installer and automatically sets up any necessary accessibility settings if they’re available,

Managing Multiple Monitors in Linux - No Sight Required

A video explaining how to lay out and configure multiple monitors in Linux, without needing sight.


The State of Linux Command Line Accessibility

In this article, we explore the options available when setting up a command-line-only Linux installation. From speakup to fenrir, there’s a lot to offer.

Ubuntu 17.10 Accessibility Review

It was the talk of the town when it came out! The new vision of Canonical, releasing there latest version of ubuntu (17.10) with … the Gnome desktop? Running using wayland? Anyway, since this is a rather big change, we’ll go over the accessibility features of this new release so that anyone upgrading to 17.10, or to 18.04 when it comes out, will have a smooth transition.

Ubuntu Mate 16.04 Accessibility Review

Ubuntu mate is quickly growing to be a well respected, clean, easy to use linux distrobution.It has the latest features, the coolest software and the best desktop interface (in my opinion), but does it have the accessibility features that blind/vi people need out of an operating system? Actually, the answer looks very promising here’s a quick video showing the accessibility features of ubuntu mate 16.04 lts.

The State of Linux Accessibility

This article documents the state of Linux accessibility when using a graphical desktop. I try to keep this article as current as possible.