There are a wide range of physical disabilities that can impair a user's mobility, and many of these impairments need to be
addressed on an individual basis. This section addresses impairments that apply to users who have difficulty using a mouse,
pointing device, or keyboard.
There are features that are built into the Linux operating system that allow for additional keyboard configuration. In some
of the X Windows desktops these settings can be changed from the control center. An application has also been developed for X
Windows called AccessX and it provides a graphical user interface for configuring all the AccessX keyboard
settings. These settings are:
StickyKeys enable the user to lock modifier keys (for example,
control and shift) allowing single finger operations in place of multiple key combinations.
MouseKeys provide alternative keyboard sequences for cursor movement and mouse
button operations.
SlowKeys requires the user to hold the key down for a specified period of time
before the keystroke is accepted. This prevents keystrokes that are pressed by accident from being sent.
ToggleKeys sound an audio alert that warns the user that a keystroke created a
locking state for keys, such as Caps Lock, and Num Lock.
RepeatKeys allow a user with limited coordination additional time to release
keys before multiple key sequences are sent to the application.
BounceKeys or Delay Keys have a delay between
keystrokes. This function can help prevent the system from accepting unintentional keystrokes.
The following is a list of assistive technologies for the physically disabled:
On-screen keyboards enable a user to select keys using a pointing device, such as a mouse, trackball, or touch pad.
This application can be used in place of a standard keyboard.
GTkeyboard is a on-screen, graphical keyboard and can be downloaded at:
http://opop.nols.com/gtkeyboard.html.
GNOME Onscreen Keyboard (GOK)is a on-screen, graphical keyboard that enables users to control their computer without having to rely on a standard keyboard or mouse. MOre information is available at http://www.gok.ca.
Speech recognition utilities are used by people with mobility impairments, so they can operate the computer using
voice control.
The following is a list of additional Web sites that may be of interest to users with mobility
impairments: