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From: Carla.Campbell@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Carla Campbell)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: An X-window Manager For The Blind
Message-ID: <9340@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 4 Jan 90 05:44:19 GMT
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Index Number: 6024

 JR> From: mattioli@took.dec.com (John R. Mattioli)
 JR> Message-ID: <9136@bunker.UUCP>
 JR> Index Number: 5844
 JR> 
 JR> In article <9047@bunker.UUCP>, teree@cbnewsj.ATT.COM (Theresa 
 JR> Anne Getzler) writes...
>> 
>>Does it make sense to have a specialized X-window manager for the
>>blind?  And if so, how would the metaphore of a window translate
>>for such a person?

I personally don't see a problem with the *conceptual* part of a system
to allow blind users access to a windowing system. Most of us who use
computers are aware of screen layout at least to some degree. A system
to be used with "speech windows" would "just" have to allow the user,
say, with a single keystroke, "flip" to a different window, and confine
reading to the parameters of that window until the user selects a
different window in which to move. Or, alternatively, it could provide
reading commands which allowed movement in any of the windows in
situations which allow more than a single cursor onscreen-- say alt-i
would read the current line in one window, control-i in another, and so
on. Obviously, I don't even pretend to imagine the complexity of
*writing* such access software, as I'm a. not a programmer (and proud of
it!) and b. not familiar enough with X-windows (or any window system) to
say what would be easiest to use. But I don't think the concept is the
tough part.
 

... Happiness is a warm modem.

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