Blindarch - An Accessible Arch Linux Installer / Live CD

Published on 2020-11-14 by TheFake VIP and JDF

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What is BlindArch?

BlindArch is a project based on Talking Arch to create an ArchLinux live + install CD for blind and visually impaired users. It also offers an easy to use installer based on EZArch by Eznix to allow users to set up a completely accessible and customisable arch linux installation.

Arch Linux offers unparalleled tweakability and choice, but it can also be a pain to install, especially when you have to consider the desktop-environment specific tweaks you need to make in order for your new system to be accessible. This live CD aims to set you up with an arch distribution that is accessible out of the box and ready to go!

Available Environments

BlindArch offers a range of desktop environments and window managers to choose from, all of which come with the necessary tweaks made to make them fully accessible:

Installation Notes

  • The partitioner built into the installation script will WIPE THE DRIVE YOU SELECT! You have been warned!
  • The service name for the cups printing system has changed since prior versions. if printing doesn’t work and you are using an older install medium, run systemctl enable cups.service to enable printing.

Gnome Users

  • Gnome is installed with speach enabled by default. In addition we enable autologin to prevent screen reader accessibility issues.
  • Additional information on enabling Orca can be found here.
  • The screen reader application can be enabled or disabled with the keyboard shortcut ALT + SUPER + S.

I3 Users

  • i3 is installed with speach enabled by default. In addition we enable autologin to prevent screen reader accessibility issues.
  • There is a script called vol added to /usr/bin in this release. This file allows the mapping of volume adjustments in the i3 config. It also plays a tone when the volume is changed.

Mate Users

  • MATE is installed with speach enabled by default. In addition we enable autologin to prevent screen reader accessibility issues.
  • MATE does not have any keyboard shortcuts in the default install. You may change keyboard shortcuts for the environment by going to the System menu -> Preferences -> Hardware -> Keyboard Shortcuts.
  • You may change accessibility settings by going to the System menu -> Preferences -> Personal -> Assistive Technologies.

Sinnamon Users

  • Cinnamon currently requires speech to be enabled manually after login. We are working to correct this as soon as possible. You can use the following command in the CLI to enable it for now:

    gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.a11y.applications screen-reader-enabled true

  • Autologin is enabled during the install.

XFCE Users

  • xfce is installed with speach enabled by default. In addition we enable autologin to prevent screen reader accessibility issues.

Manual Partitioning (For Advanced Users)

You may choose to forego the automatic partitioning and run the installer scripts manually. Simply partition as you would normally during a stock Arch installation, mount your drives, then run the ezarch.bios or ezarch.uefi script to install for either legacy or eufi systems respectively.