Even though Ubuntu Studio is still very weak in terms of accessibility, I still participated in the vote. I truly appreciate developers who involve their users and build their tools based on community feedback.
Hi @MesterPerfect !
I moved your reply to its own topic because I believe it’s worth discussing, but is certainly not the topic for the poll.
I do realize that Ubuntu Studio’s accessibility is certainly lacking. What needs to be done to improve that?
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For those who have tremors that make using a standard keyboard difficult like myself, or are hard of hearing using closed captions frequently again like myself, stand alone Speech to Text and Speech Command apps that work with Ubuntu Studio reliably are highly desired but frustrating to find.
In Discover there is only a Voice Command app “Voice“ UN-rated and no Reviews which currently fails to load in my system.
In Discover there is no dictation or speech-to-text app shown in a search on ether term.
In Gnome “Software,“ “Speech Note” does both Speech to Text, Text to Speech and Translation with lot of positive reviews. It only installs from Flathub and when opened shows the Message “ldconfig failed, exit status 256.” Until I can find how to correct the 256 error my trial will have to wait.
The speech-to-text apps I have researched online almost require an IT specialist with a minor in linguistics to install in Linux. No easy to follow installation and operation instructions are evident. At least so far. Plus their dependability under Ubuntu is unknown as near as I can tell
Effectively for me right now I am out of luck and without the knowledge to ferret out what is keeping these apps from loading.
A couple of observations.
Just supplying these two access apps would make Ubuntu for many collage departments and schools for the disabled more attractive. Plus businesses interested in Linux but deterred by the difficulties for ADA employees.
I am a writer by trade and have consistent hand tremors. I spend a lot time confused by suddenly being where I did not want to go on the screen because my tremor twitched my finger from the right key to one of the six wrong surrounding keys. These two apps would so improve my and others lives.
I appreciate the opening of this discussion very much.
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I have Speech Note and Whis successfully installed and been able to do a limited test of Speech Note
The “ldconfig failed, exit status 256” error in attempting to load both Speech Note and Whis Speech. problem is related to this bug
“Flatpak Apps don’t launch from GNOME Software”
A work around is posted in the comments with reference to:
”How to create a file named /etc/apparmor.d/bwrap”
reference:
https://etbe.coker.com.au/2024/04/24/ubuntu-24-04-bubblewrap/
create a file named /etc/apparmor.d/bwrap with the following contents:
/etc/apparmor.d/bwrap
abi <abi/4.0>,
include <tunables/global>profile bwrap /usr/bin/bwrap flags=(unconfined) {
userns,Site-specific additions and overrides. See local/README for details.
include if exists <local/bwrap>
}
Then run
:~$ systemctl reload apparmor“.
After the above change; I was able to load both from the Gnome Software app [it is not included in Discover]and then use Speech Note . The accuracy excellent except for recognizing formal names phonically.
Who and how do I communicate with to see if it can be included in Discover as part of the Accessibility group?
I have found one of those UN-documented accessibility features in 24.04
As it is, it is hidden in the Workspace Behavior >> Desktop Effects >> Labeled Track Mouse. The label has some logic, but those who have asked for help usually ask if there is a “Locate Mouse“ or similar title.
I do not know how best to ask for a change on this either as a wanted feature or a bug. Others certainly have better knowledge of who and where and in what form any change should be submitted.
It would be better to have at least a link in the list in the System Settings >> Personalization >> Accessibility section below “Mouse Navigation“ which is a related feature.
A chosen key-combination can be used to display the location of the cursor using the following procedure.
Accessibility Shortcut To Emphasize Mouse For Visually-Impaired [1]
Clicking the key-combination places one white and one black revolving animated circle about 1/2 inch in diameter around the cursor.
Repeating the key-combination removes the animated circle.
To enable and set the key combination In Ubuntu Studio:
-
Look up the shortcut keys for the apps you use as well as Ubuntu itself. [2]
-
Pick a combination not listed in the application or Ubuntu lists.
-
Open System settings.
-
Click "Workplace Behavior"Click “Desktop Effects”
The Desktop Effects System Settings window is displayed
-
Click the Track Mouse checkbox to Enable it.
-
Click on the symbol
[Varies by symbol set].
- UN-check all of the “Modifier Keys”
Note: [apparent bug] Clicking any of the “Modifier keys:” disables the “Keyboard shortcut” field so the key stroke will not appear or function.
-
Click
to set the shortcut. -
Hold down the desired modifier - key-combination
-
Click [OK].
The Track Mouse dialogue will close.
- At the bottom of the “Desktop Effects”page click [Apply]
---------------------------------
[1] My revision based on setting this successfully in Ubuntu Studio 24.04
[2] In this case [Ctrl]+[J] displays the Track Mouse animation over the Desktop, GnuCash, LibreOffice, Files, Dolphin and Evolution.
Sources Used
StackExchange: Ask Ubuntu
An edited reply by Pete Cowley in Discourse
https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/no-key-combo-for-visually-locating-cursor-in-wayland/71188