Re: Getting Involved
Bridger Reed-Lewis <[email protected]> Tue, 3 Jun 2025 22:32:09 -0800
| Newsgroups | gmane.comp.kde.devel.accessibility |
|---|---|
| Message-ID | <CAFyN0FLMj9_hKsmC-ASj_yKXHVDWqU1smDsuh_pQ6nvvRquSpw@mail.gmail.com> |
--000000000000bc0cc80636b928ae Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable K I=E2=80=99m going to get those setup, should I only do one or all? On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 22:23 Benson Muite <[email protected]> wrote: > On Wed, Jun 4, 2025, at 9:09 AM, Bridger Reed-Lewis wrote: > > Thank you, I wasn't aware of those barriers. While I am aware that the > > university has strict rules around applications. I believe there could > be a > > way to get around it, if it's used in an educational and > > collaborative environment. The person I need to check with about this, = I > am > > going to send them an email tomorrow since it's pretty late. Oh, and I > > tried accessing the IRC and Matrix but the channel isn't accepting anyo= ne > > else, is there a way for me to get around that? I think it'd be a lot > > easier then email > > > > For Matrix, accounts on other servers will allow you to access rooms on t= he > kde matrix server. In addition to > > https://matrix.org/docs/chat_basics/matrix-for-im/#creating-a-matrix-acco= unt > , > you could also make an account on one of the servers listed at: > https://servers.joinmatrix.org/ > > https://apps.kde.org/neochat/ > maybe helpful, in addition to other Matrix clients. > > For irc make an account at http://libera.chat > https://apps.kde.org/konversation/ > maybe helpful, though there are many other choices for IRC clients. > > > > > On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 10:03=E2=80=AFPM Benson Muite <benson_muite@emai= lplus.org > > > > wrote: > > > >> > >> > >> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025, at 8:49 AM, Bridger Reed-Lewis wrote: > >> > Well I don=E2=80=99t think it would be useful particularly for UAA, = it=E2=80=99s just > I > >> > feel a collaboration could be set up depending on the person. And wi= th > >> > everything going on federally, a lot of folks at my work are pretty > mad, > >> > it=E2=80=99s the reason why I got my article. What I=E2=80=99m going= to do is reach > out > >> to > >> > the engineers/tech departments, to see if anyone is interested in > working > >> > on this project. Along with connecting with student clubs, I am also > >> going > >> > to install and test what I can with the applications you sent. > >> > >> Thanks. > >> > >> > > >> > Oh, about the mentoring program you mentioned. I don't think it's a > good > >> > fit for me since I have dyscalculia. I've tried with no luck to lear= n > >> > coding. It's just not my thing, what it would be testing along with > >> setting > >> > up times to chat around ideas, along with networking which i am scar= y > >> good > >> > at. > >> > >> We do use mailing lists, apps also have chat channels, typically on > Matrix > >> or IRC. > >> For Season of KDE, making students and people new to open source aware > of > >> it > >> would be helpful. It provides a structured way for people to contribu= te > >> improvements > >> to software that they use, these need not be limited to coding > >> contributions. > >> > >> In the US, many applications require accessibility testing reports > before > >> they can be > >> used in an institution. This can be a barrier to adopting open source > >> software since > >> the administrative burden of procuring software which has accessibilit= y > >> testing done > >> is low compared to getting open source software and improving it to me= et > >> accessibility > >> standards for which the financial cost would likely be ultimately lowe= r, > >> thereby allowing > >> institutions to make more effective use of their limited funds. > >> > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 21:37 Benson Muite <[email protected]= g > > > >> > wrote: > >> > > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025, at 7:58 AM, Bridger Reed-Lewis wrote: > >> >> > I have heard of him, and it=E2=80=99s one of the reasons why I wa= nt to get > >> >> > involved, at the moment I don=E2=80=99t think the university allo= ws Linux > to > >> be > >> >> > used, but I could be wrong. At the moment, I am running KDE on my > >> Steam > >> >> > Deck. But I=E2=80=99m planning on purchasing a think-pad x1 carbo= n Gen 10 > >> soon. > >> >> One > >> >> > area I=E2=80=99d like to see get added is dictation. There's an a= bandoned > >> project > >> >> > here --> https://github.com/abb128/LiveCaptions that could be > forked > >> >> into a > >> >> > simple dictation tool, it's surprisingly, very accurate. > >> >> > >> >> This seems to build on another library which maybe worth > incorporating > >> into > >> >> KDE applications: > >> >> https://github.com/abb128/april-asr > >> >> > >> >> There are ongoing discussions withing KDE about using tools trained > on > >> >> data of unknown origin. > >> >> > >> >> > > >> >> > Outside of that, I would need to look because right now there's > not a > >> >> lot, > >> >> > and disability itself is a spectrum. without seeing what you are > >> already > >> >> > working on, giving feedback might be hard. But I am more than > willing > >> to > >> >> > test anything you can give me, as long as you make the install > process > >> >> easy > >> >> > or give me command props. > >> >> > >> >> KDE applications are listed at: > >> >> http://apps.kde.org > >> >> Some will work on Windows and Mac. Applications that might be usefu= l > in > >> a > >> >> university > >> >> setting include: > >> >> - https://apps.kde.org/labplot/ > >> >> - https://apps.kde.org/ktechlab/ > >> >> - https://apps.kde.org/accessibilityinspector/ > >> >> - https://apps.kde.org/krita/ > >> >> - https://apps.kde.org/okular/ > >> >> - https://apps.kde.org/kdenlive/ > >> >> - https://apps.kde.org/digikam/ > >> >> - https://apps.kde.org/glaxnimate/ > >> >> > >> >> It seems there are faculty members familiar with open source > software: > >> >> https://pradeeban.github.io/ > >> >> > >> >> Maybe you could contact them to see if there are ways to also invol= ve > >> >> students in > >> >> improving software accessibility? Season of KDE ( > >> >> https://mentorship.kde.org/sok/) > >> >> would be one structured way to do this for KDE software that is > useful > >> at > >> >> UAA. > >> >> > >> >> Krita, Kdenlive and Glaxnimate may also be useful to people in your > art > >> >> department: > >> >> > >> >> > >> > https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departm= ents/art > >> >> and to the student clubs in the art department: > >> >> > >> >> > >> > https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departm= ents/art/clubs/ > >> >> > >> >> Finally, in terms of testing, is there a KDE application you use an= d > >> would > >> >> be willing to help > >> >> test? One-off contributions are welcome, but sustained involvement = is > >> most > >> >> helpful. > >> >> > >> >> > > >> >> > On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 20:28 Benson Muite < > [email protected] > >> > > >> >> > wrote: > >> >> > > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> On Tue, Jun 3, 2025, at 11:15 AM, Bridger Reed-Lewis wrote: > >> >> >> > Good evening, I am interested in becoming a tester, and help > >> >> collaborate > >> >> >> > together on ideas to ensure accessibility in future kde > iterations. > >> >> Nate, > >> >> >> > one of the board members, let me know about your sub-group, an= d > I > >> >> >> emailed a > >> >> >> > few folks listed as contacts. Just didn't hear back, figuring > >> reaching > >> >> >> out > >> >> >> > directly to this email would be more effective. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > Before getting involved though, I should introduce myself. I a= m > the > >> >> >> > disability advisor for The University of Anchorage Alaska, and > >> while > >> >> I am > >> >> >> > doing this on my own time. I do hope to get the university > involved > >> >> since > >> >> >> > we have a very active disability, and accessibility work group= s > at > >> >> UAA. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > Recently, the university wrote a article about me which goes i= n > >> detail > >> >> >> > about myself you can read about it here... > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > >> >> > >> > https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/news/archive/2025/05/chd-disability-advisor-br= idger-r-reed-lewis.cshtml > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > I'm very passionate about what I do, and I believe Steam OS as= a > >> whole > >> >> >> > could be a massive benefit to ensure a better market share, th= is > >> comes > >> >> >> with > >> >> >> > some challenges though because while steam os is great for > gaming, > >> >> once > >> >> >> > it's released to the masses later this year. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > The OS as a whole will have some disadvantages mainly the lack > of > >> >> >> > accessibility tools, which as someone with a disability has be= en > >> the > >> >> >> > largest reason they haven't moved fully to linux. Ended up on > Macs > >> >> >> because > >> >> >> > of how much i hate windows, but once thing apple has about the= m > is > >> >> there > >> >> >> > gold star for supporting disabilities in there OS. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> Thanks for your interest. Are there any KDE applications that yo= u > use > >> >> where > >> >> >> support could be better? Do you have any computer labs where > linux > >> is > >> >> used > >> >> >> or KDE applications are used? > >> >> >> > >> >> >> KDE e.V. recently appointed Ritchie Frodomar as accessibility > >> engineer: > >> >> >> https://mail.kde.org/pipermail/kde-community/2025q2/008193.html > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > I also want this in Linux, and I'm here to help along > >> >> >> > with assisting with networking with professionals to ensure > >> >> >> communications > >> >> >> > and collaboration with developers/companies alike. Let me know > if > >> you > >> >> >> have > >> >> >> > any questions, and I hope to chat with you soon. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > Sincerely, > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > Bridger R. Reed-Lewis > >> >> >> > Disability Advisor | Advocate | Speaker > >> >> >> > He/Them > >> >> >> > >> >> > >> > --000000000000bc0cc80636b928ae Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <div dir=3D"auto">K I=E2=80=99m going to get those setup, should I only do = one or all?</div><div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container">= <div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 22:23 Benson M= uite <<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">benson_muite@emailpl= us.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"m= argin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;paddi= ng-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204)">On Wed, Jun 4, 2025, at 9:0= 9 AM, Bridger Reed-Lewis wrote:<br> > Thank you, I wasn't aware of those barriers. While I am aware that= the<br> > university has strict rules around applications. I believe there could= be a<br> > way to get around it, if it's used in an educational and<br> > collaborative environment. The person I need to check with about this,= I am<br> > going to send them an email tomorrow since it's pretty late. Oh, a= nd I<br> > tried accessing the IRC and Matrix but the channel isn't accepting= anyone<br> > else, is there a way for me to get around that? I think it'd be a = lot<br> > easier then email<br> <br> <br> <br> For Matrix, accounts on other servers will allow you to access rooms on the= <br> kde matrix server. In addition to <br> <a href=3D"https://matrix.org/docs/chat_basics/matrix-for-im/#creating-a-ma= trix-account" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://matrix.org/docs/= chat_basics/matrix-for-im/#creating-a-matrix-account</a>,<br> you could also make an account on one of the servers listed at:<br> <a href=3D"https://servers.joinmatrix.org/" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_b= lank">https://servers.joinmatrix.org/</a><br> <br> <a href=3D"https://apps.kde.org/neochat/" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_bla= nk">https://apps.kde.org/neochat/</a><br> maybe helpful, in addition to other Matrix clients.<br> <br> For irc make an account at <a href=3D"http://libera.chat" rel=3D"noreferrer= " target=3D"_blank">http://libera.chat</a><br> <a href=3D"https://apps.kde.org/konversation/" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D= "_blank">https://apps.kde.org/konversation/</a><br> maybe helpful, though there are many other choices for IRC clients.<br> <br> ><br> > On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 10:03=E2=80=AFPM Benson Muite <<a href=3D"ma= ilto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank">[email protected]= rg</a>><br> > wrote:<br> ><br> >><br> >><br> >> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025, at 8:49 AM, Bridger Reed-Lewis wrote:<br> >> > Well I don=E2=80=99t think it would be useful particularly fo= r UAA, it=E2=80=99s just I<br> >> > feel a collaboration could be set up depending on the person.= And with<br> >> > everything going on federally, a lot of folks at my work are = pretty mad,<br> >> > it=E2=80=99s the reason why I got my article. What I=E2=80=99= m going to do is reach out<br> >> to<br> >> > the engineers/tech departments, to see if anyone is intereste= d in working<br> >> > on this project. Along with connecting with student clubs, I = am also<br> >> going<br> >> > to install and test what I can with the applications you sent= .<br> >><br> >> Thanks.<br> >><br> >> ><br> >> > Oh, about the mentoring program you mentioned. I don't th= ink it's a good<br> >> > fit for me since I have dyscalculia. I've tried with no l= uck to learn<br> >> > coding. It's just not my thing, what it would be testing = along with<br> >> setting<br> >> > up times to chat around ideas, along with networking which i = am scary<br> >> good<br> >> > at.<br> >><br> >> We do use mailing lists, apps also have chat channels, typically o= n Matrix<br> >> or IRC.<br> >> For Season of KDE, making students and people new to open source a= ware of<br> >> it<br> >> would be helpful.=C2=A0 It provides a structured way for people to= contribute<br> >> improvements<br> >> to software that they use, these need not be limited to coding<br> >> contributions.<br> >><br> >> In the US, many applications require accessibility testing reports= before<br> >> they can be<br> >> used in an institution.=C2=A0 This can be a barrier to adopting op= en source<br> >> software since<br> >> the administrative burden of procuring software which has accessib= ility<br> >> testing done<br> >> is low compared to getting open source software and improving it t= o meet<br> >> accessibility<br> >> standards for which the financial cost would likely be ultimately = lower,<br> >> thereby allowing<br> >> institutions to make more effective use of their limited funds.<br= > >><br> >> ><br> >> ><br> >> ><br> >> > On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 21:37 Benson Muite <<a href=3D"mail= to:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank">[email protected]= </a>><br> >> > wrote:<br> >> ><br> >> >><br> >> >><br> >> >> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025, at 7:58 AM, Bridger Reed-Lewis wrote= :<br> >> >> > I have heard of him, and it=E2=80=99s one of the rea= sons why I want to get<br> >> >> > involved, at the moment I don=E2=80=99t think the un= iversity allows Linux to<br> >> be<br> >> >> > used, but I could be wrong. At the moment, I am runn= ing KDE on my<br> >> Steam<br> >> >> > Deck. But I=E2=80=99m planning on purchasing a think= -pad x1 carbon Gen 10<br> >> soon.<br> >> >> One<br> >> >> > area I=E2=80=99d like to see get added is dictation.= There's an abandoned<br> >> project<br> >> >> > here --> <a href=3D"https://github.com/abb128/Liv= eCaptions" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://github.com/abb128/L= iveCaptions</a> that could be forked<br> >> >> into a<br> >> >> > simple dictation tool, it's surprisingly, very a= ccurate.<br> >> >><br> >> >> This seems to build on another library which maybe worth = incorporating<br> >> into<br> >> >> KDE applications:<br> >> >> <a href=3D"https://github.com/abb128/april-asr" rel=3D"no= referrer" target=3D"_blank">https://github.com/abb128/april-asr</a><br> >> >><br> >> >> There are ongoing discussions withing KDE about using too= ls trained on<br> >> >> data of unknown origin.<br> >> >><br> >> >> ><br> >> >> > Outside of that, I would need to look because right = now there's not a<br> >> >> lot,<br> >> >> > and disability itself is a spectrum. without seeing = what you are<br> >> already<br> >> >> > working on, giving feedback might be hard. But I am = more than willing<br> >> to<br> >> >> > test anything you can give me, as long as you make t= he install process<br> >> >> easy<br> >> >> > or give me command props.<br> >> >><br> >> >> KDE applications are listed at:<br> >> >> <a href=3D"http://apps.kde.org" rel=3D"noreferrer" target= =3D"_blank">http://apps.kde.org</a><br> >> >> Some will work on Windows and Mac. Applications that migh= t be useful in<br> >> a<br> >> >> university<br> >> >> setting include:<br> >> >> - <a href=3D"https://apps.kde.org/labplot/" rel=3D"norefe= rrer" target=3D"_blank">https://apps.kde.org/labplot/</a><br> >> >> - <a href=3D"https://apps.kde.org/ktechlab/" rel=3D"noref= errer" target=3D"_blank">https://apps.kde.org/ktechlab/</a><br> >> >> - <a href=3D"https://apps.kde.org/accessibilityinspector/= " rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://apps.kde.org/accessibilityin= spector/</a><br> >> >> - <a href=3D"https://apps.kde.org/krita/" rel=3D"noreferr= er" target=3D"_blank">https://apps.kde.org/krita/</a><br> >> >> - <a href=3D"https://apps.kde.org/okular/" rel=3D"norefer= rer" target=3D"_blank">https://apps.kde.org/okular/</a><br> >> >> - <a href=3D"https://apps.kde.org/kdenlive/" rel=3D"noref= errer" target=3D"_blank">https://apps.kde.org/kdenlive/</a><br> >> >> - <a href=3D"https://apps.kde.org/digikam/" rel=3D"norefe= rrer" target=3D"_blank">https://apps.kde.org/digikam/</a><br> >> >> - <a href=3D"https://apps.kde.org/glaxnimate/" rel=3D"nor= eferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://apps.kde.org/glaxnimate/</a><br> >> >><br> >> >> It seems there are faculty members familiar with open sou= rce software:<br> >> >> <a href=3D"https://pradeeban.github.io/" rel=3D"noreferre= r" target=3D"_blank">https://pradeeban.github.io/</a><br> >> >><br> >> >> Maybe you could contact them to see if there are ways to = also involve<br> >> >> students in<br> >> >> improving software accessibility?=C2=A0 Season of KDE (<b= r> >> >> <a href=3D"https://mentorship.kde.org/sok/" rel=3D"norefe= rrer" target=3D"_blank">https://mentorship.kde.org/sok/</a>)<br> >> >> would be one structured way to do this for KDE software t= hat is useful<br> >> at<br> >> >> UAA.<br> >> >><br> >> >> Krita, Kdenlive and Glaxnimate may also be useful to peop= le in your art<br> >> >> department:<br> >> >><br> >> >><br> >> <a href=3D"https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-an= d-sciences/departments/art" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://ww= w.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/art</a>= <br> >> >> and to the student clubs in the art department:<br> >> >><br> >> >><br> >> <a href=3D"https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-an= d-sciences/departments/art/clubs/" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">htt= ps://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/= art/clubs/</a><br> >> >><br> >> >> Finally, in terms of testing, is there a KDE application = you use and<br> >> would<br> >> >> be willing to help<br> >> >> test? One-off contributions are welcome, but sustained in= volvement is<br> >> most<br> >> >> helpful.<br> >> >><br> >> >> ><br> >> >> > On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 20:28 Benson Muite <<a hre= f=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank">benson_muite@emai= lplus.org</a><br> >> ><br> >> >> > wrote:<br> >> >> ><br> >> >> >><br> >> >> >><br> >> >> >> On Tue, Jun 3, 2025, at 11:15 AM, Bridger Reed-L= ewis wrote:<br> >> >> >> > Good evening, I am interested in becoming a= tester, and help<br> >> >> collaborate<br> >> >> >> > together on ideas to ensure accessibility i= n future kde iterations.<br> >> >> Nate,<br> >> >> >> > one of the board members, let me know about= your sub-group, and I<br> >> >> >> emailed a<br> >> >> >> > few folks listed as contacts. Just didn'= ;t hear back, figuring<br> >> reaching<br> >> >> >> out<br> >> >> >> > directly to this email would be more effect= ive.<br> >> >> >> ><br> >> >> >> > Before getting involved though, I should in= troduce myself. I am the<br> >> >> >> > disability advisor for The University of An= chorage Alaska, and<br> >> while<br> >> >> I am<br> >> >> >> > doing this on my own time. I do hope to get= the university involved<br> >> >> since<br> >> >> >> > we have a very active disability, and acces= sibility work groups at<br> >> >> UAA.<br> >> >> >> ><br> >> >> >> > Recently, the university wrote a article ab= out me which goes in<br> >> detail<br> >> >> >> > about myself you can read about it here...<= br> >> >> >> ><br> >> >> >><br> >> >><br> >> <a href=3D"https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/news/archive/2025/05/chd-dis= ability-advisor-bridger-r-reed-lewis.cshtml" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_= blank">https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/news/archive/2025/05/chd-disability-advis= or-bridger-r-reed-lewis.cshtml</a><br> >> >> >> ><br> >> >> >> ><br> >> >> >> > I'm very passionate about what I do, an= d I believe Steam OS as a<br> >> whole<br> >> >> >> > could be a massive benefit to ensure a bett= er market share, this<br> >> comes<br> >> >> >> with<br> >> >> >> > some challenges though because while steam = os is great for gaming,<br> >> >> once<br> >> >> >> > it's released to the masses later this = year.<br> >> >> >> ><br> >> >> >> > The OS as a whole will have some disadvanta= ges mainly the lack of<br> >> >> >> > accessibility tools, which as someone with = a disability has been<br> >> the<br> >> >> >> > largest reason they haven't moved fully= to linux. Ended up on Macs<br> >> >> >> because<br> >> >> >> > of how much i hate windows, but once thing = apple has about them is<br> >> >> there<br> >> >> >> > gold star for supporting disabilities in th= ere OS.<br> >> >> >><br> >> >> >> Thanks for your interest. Are there any KDE appl= ications that you use<br> >> >> where<br> >> >> >> support could be better?=C2=A0 Do you have any c= omputer labs where linux<br> >> is<br> >> >> used<br> >> >> >> or KDE applications are used?<br> >> >> >><br> >> >> >> KDE e.V. recently appointed Ritchie Frodomar as = accessibility<br> >> engineer:<br> >> >> >> <a href=3D"https://mail.kde.org/pipermail/kde-co= mmunity/2025q2/008193.html" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://ma= il.kde.org/pipermail/kde-community/2025q2/008193.html</a><br> >> >> >><br> >> >> >> ><br> >> >> >> > I also want this in Linux, and I'm here= to help along<br> >> >> >> > with assisting with networking with profess= ionals to ensure<br> >> >> >> communications<br> >> >> >> > and collaboration with developers/companies= alike. Let me know if<br> >> you<br> >> >> >> have<br> >> >> >> > any questions, and I hope to chat with you = soon.<br> >> >> >> ><br> >> >> >> > Sincerely,<br> >> >> >> ><br> >> >> >> > Bridger R. Reed-Lewis<br> >> >> >> > Disability Advisor | Advocate | Speaker<br> >> >> >> > He/Them<br> >> >> >><br> >> >><br> >><br> </blockquote></div></div> --000000000000bc0cc80636b928ae--