ITS Linux Computing

In an effort to make the ITS linux labs available to as many people as possible, we have installed Gnupernicus, a screen reader and screen magnifier for users with disabilities. We hope that this will enable users with low vision or blindness to be able to use the linux machines better.

Gnupernicus' home page is found here: http://www.baum.ro/eng/products/gnopernicus/gnopernicus.html and provides help on how to use the software as a screen reader an magnifier. There are sections on how to use the command line parameters, as well as how to use the graphical interface. As most of the options are configured through the graphical interface, there is a more in-depth section of how to set preferences of speech, voice type, magnifier and command mappings. On this website, there are also presentations available for download that explain many of the features available in Gnupernicus.

In order to get started with using Gnupernicus on the ITS linux lab machines, you have to log in and set some preferences. If you choose to use the Screen Reader, you will have to provide your own headphones. All of the ITS Linux lab machines have a headphone port on the front of the machine.

1.) If you have low vision and need to see the login prompt better, linux has a naitive method to change the display resolution through the keyboard. By pressing <CTRL><ALT>+ or <CTRL><ALT>- you can cycle through the available resolutions on the machine. When logging in, use the GNOME display manager, as Gnopernicus is part of the GNOME project and will work best when run through GNOME. If you have never logged into a linux machine before , this is the default. If you have changed your default display manager (most likely to KDE) at the top left of the login window, you can select "Session" and then choose "GNOME".

2.) Once you have logged in, select the program menu, select "Preferences", then select "Accessibility", and finally choose "Assistive Technology Support". The selection above this, "Accessibility", may also help you, as you can enable Sticky Keys, modify the Repeat Keys, enable Bounce Keys, or enable the Keyboard Accessibily features.

3.) After selecting "Assistive Technology Support" from the menu, you need to check the box next to "Enable Assistive Technologies", and then choose below, which of the technologies you want to start when you log in, the Screen Reader, Magnifier, or On-Screen Keyboard.

4.) Once you have set your preferences, select the "Close and Logout" button. This will log you out of your session, as is needed for the settings to take effect. When you log back in, the settings you chose to start on log in should now be enabled.

For information on how to use Gnupernicus to it's full extent, please visit the home page listed here: http://www.baum.ro/eng/products/gnopernicus/gnopernicus.html

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This page was last modified: 9/12/2006 2:05:08 PM.