Fedora 13

Accessibility Guide

Using Fedora with a visual, hearing, or mobility impairment

Fedora Documentation Project

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Abstract

This document describes some of the hardware devices, applications, and utilities available to assist people with disabilities to use a computer with the Fedora operating system.

1. Introduction

There are approximately 500 million people worldwide with some kind of visual, hearing, or mobility impairment. Currently there are over 54 million people with disabilities in the United States alone and that number is significantly increasing as the baby boomer generation continues to age. People with disabilities often find it extremely difficult to effectively use existing and emerging technologies which are often designed without regard to their needs. Websites with inaccessible content can also be problematic for screen readers and other specialized devices used by the disabled community.

Accessible features have been voluntarily integrated into operating systems, web interfaces, and other technologies because of marketing potential or because it has been "the right thing to do." Equal access to educational, professional, and recreational technologies is rapidly becoming a legal requirement. Federal agencies in numerous countries are formulating accessibility standards. Federal requirements in the United States went into effect in June 2001.

Specialized hardware devices, applications, and utilities are available which considerably increase the usability of Linux for individuals with special needs.