Customizing Accessibility Features

3 Customizing Accessibility Features

Accessibility features already have preconfigured settings so that they're immediately usable after an Oracle Linux installation. However, some of these features can be customized according to preferences. This chapter describes these features that you can further enhance. When you enable a feature after reconfiguring it, the new settings are applied.

Configuring the Screen Reader

Oracle Linux provides Orca as its default on-screen reader. The orca package is installed on the Oracle Linux 8 system by default. When enabled, the Orca screen reader speaks text as you move the focus of the cursor on-screen.

Configurable Settings of the Screen Reader

The Screen Reader Preferences window contains the following tabs, each of which has a list of customizable settings:

General: Configures how Orca behaves.
Voice: Determines the voice that Orca uses when reading the screen.
Speech: Defines what the reader reads aloud and the degree of verbosity.
Braille: Configures Orca Braille display support.
Key Echo: Defines what the reader reads aloud while you type.
Key Bindings: Defines keyboard shortcuts for Orca.
Pronunciation: Configures word pronunciation.
Text Attributes: Configures text formatting.

Customizing the Screen Reader

Type the following command:
```
orca -s
```
The -s option can also be typed as --setup. The command opens the Screen Reader Preferences window.
Customize the reader according to specific needs.

Click each tab to configure the different options on those tabs.

For Braille configuration, see Using Braille.

Note:

When you open the Screen Reader Preferences window, the screen reader is temporarily enabled and any action you perform on the desktop is read aloud. When you exit the window, the screen reader is switched off.
Click Apply, then click OK.
At the command line, press Ctrl-C to return to the command prompt.
Enable the screen reader by using either the Universal Access panel or, if available, the quick access icon on the desktop's top bar.

Configuring the Magnifier

Zoom is the default magnifier that's included in the GNOME desktop for Oracle Linux 8.

Configurable Settings of the Magnifier

The Zoom Options window contains the following tabs, each of which has a list of customizable settings:

Magnifier

Configures magnification and magnifier cursor behavior.

Crosshairs

Configures cross hair appearance, including color.

Note that to use Crosshairs, you would need to toggle the feature's switch on this tab to ON. However, the crosshairs appear only if you also enable Zoom.

To use the magnifier but not the crosshairs, you would need to return to this window to disable the feature.

Color Effects

Configures the display of colored content.

Customizing the Magnifier

Access the Universal Access panel by using a preferred method.

See Accessing Assistive Technologies.
From the list of options on the panel, select Zoom.

The Zoom Options window is displayed.
Customize the magnifier according to your preferences.

Click each tab to configure the different options on those tabs.
(Optional) Toggle the magnifier switch to ON to use the feature immediately.

You can also enable the magnifier later through the Universal Access Menu icon on the desktop's top bar.

For more information about customizing the magnifier, go to https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-help/stable/a11y-mag.html.en.

Configuring Typing Assist

Typing Assist consists of several assistive technologies for using the keyboard.

Configurable Settings of Typing Assist

Typing Assist is one of the features under the Typing group. The settings include the following:

Enable By Keyboard

Enables keyboard control to navigate the desktop instead of using a mouse.

For help with using keyboard navigation, see https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-help/stable/shell-keyboard-shortcuts.html.en.

Sticky Keys

Enables shortcut keys to be typed in sequence instead of one key being held before the other key is pressed.

Slow Keys

Controls the delay between a key being typed and the corresponding character being displayed on-screen.

Bounce Keys

Enables ignoring fast and repetitive pressing of keys.

Except for Enable By Keyboard, the settings can be enabled through the Universal Access Menu icon on the desktop's top bar.

Customizing Typing Assist

Access the Universal Access panel by using a preferred method.

See Accessing Assistive Technologies.
Under the Typing group, select Typing Assist (AccessX) .

The Typing Assist window is displayed.
Customize the settings for key behavior according to your preferences.

For more information about customizing Typing Assist, go to https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-help/stable/keyboard.html.en.

Configuring Click Assist

Click Assist consists of several assistive technologies for using the mouse or other pointing devices.

Configurable Settings of Click Assist

Click Assist is one of the features under the Point & Clicking group. The settings include the following:

Simulated Secondary Click: Triggers a secondary click when you hold the primary button, which causes the equivalent action of double-clicking.
Hover Click: Triggers a click when you hover over a specific screen location, which causes the equivalent action of clicking or selecting.

Customizing Click Assist

Access the Universal Access panel by using a preferred method.

See Accessing Assistive Technologies.
Under the Pointing & Clicking group, select Click Assist.

The Click Assist window is displayed.
Customize the settings for mouse click behavior according to set preferences.

For more information about configuring Click Assist, go to https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-help/stable/mouse.html.en.