Re: Getting Involved
Bridger Reed-Lewis <[email protected]> Tue, 3 Jun 2025 23:31:57 -0800
| Newsgroups | gmane.comp.kde.devel.accessibility |
|---|---|
| Message-ID | <CAFyN0FL8H-kDjU7xA_83v3jZZiVZspueGpD1ufc_McLMGMzJhQ@mail.gmail.com> |
--0000000000009b7cef0636b9fe56 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Oh, I guess this is a question for the both of you. I prefer Arch linux with KDE, what's your opinion on that, are there any disadvantages? I know they get updates a little less often, I just know packages and applications can be installed manually if needed. On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 11:26=E2=80=AFPM Bridger Reed-Lewis < [email protected]> wrote: > Shervin, thank you for sharing this with us. I am now very very intereste= d > in getting a separate computer to try these out. At the moment, I have a > steam deck, but I do have plans to purchase a used Thinkpad x1 carbon 10t= h > gen. Once I get that, which will be a few weeks. Let's chat more about > these programs because it seems like things have changed since I last > really dived into linux. I guess if they're available, I'd like to see > about working with KDE to develop a standard for prepackaged accessibilit= y > tools, even if that's through a third-party. What do you think? > > On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 10:56=E2=80=AFPM Shervin Emami <shervin.emami@gmai= l.com> > wrote: > >> Hi Benson, >> >> For around 8 years now I've been using speech recognition for many hours >> per day to control KDE desktop, since that is my main way of working >> despite having chronic RSI. Since my background is in robotics & AI, I'v= e >> tried many different alternative interfaces, and gave a talk specificall= y >> for Linux (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D3aQfwS5pyrg) >> >> If you're mostly interested in dictation, you should consider OpenAI >> Whisper, because it's possibly the most reliable ASR engine at the momen= t >> but also importantly it has very good ASR support for many different >> languages and dialects and accents, whereas most ASR is targeted for USA >> and UK English. >> >> Whisper doesn't have an interface for directly dictating into >> applications though. And it's not able to do any commands. I currently u= se >> the open-source Faster-Whisper for dictation (with my own code for typin= g >> into applications), and the open-source Kaldi-Active-Grammar + >> Dragonfly for typing commands including for programming / typing things = on >> the terminal or controlling the mouse. ( >> https://dragonfly.readthedocs.io/en/latest/kaldi_engine.html) >> It's not a clean solution though, the interaction I've set up between >> Kaldi and Whisper is quite hacky. But proves that it is very possible! >> >> Talon ASR (free but closed-source at https://talonvoice.com/) has a >> community that have been slowly working towards better interaction with = the >> desktop by voice, they are making excellent solutions for Windows & Mac >> where user interface elements have a standardised API. But they say Linu= x >> has been a nightmare to have anything close to a standardised way of >> knowing which UI elements are on the screen. And Wayland pretty much >> doesn't allow interaction with the screen at all! So unfortunately >> Talon has a community of eager developers that want to improve usability= of >> speech recognition on Linux, but they have basically given up on Linux >> recently due to these 2 issues. >> >> Cheers, >> Shervin Emami. >> >> >> >> On Wed, 4 Jun 2025 at 16:38, Bridger Reed-Lewis < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> 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 t= he >>>> > 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 >>>> anyone >>>> > else, is there a way for me to get around that? I think it'd be a lo= t >>>> > easier then email >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> For Matrix, accounts on other servers will allow you to access rooms o= n >>>> the >>>> kde matrix server. In addition to >>>> >>>> https://matrix.org/docs/chat_basics/matrix-for-im/#creating-a-matrix-a= ccount >>>> , >>>> 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 < >>>> [email protected]> >>>> > 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 UA= A, it=E2=80=99s >>>> just I >>>> >> > feel a collaboration could be set up depending on the person. And >>>> with >>>> >> > 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 go= ing 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 >>>> learn >>>> >> > coding. It's just not my thing, what it would be testing along wi= th >>>> >> setting >>>> >> > up times to chat around ideas, along with networking which i am >>>> scary >>>> >> 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 >>>> contribute >>>> >> 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 >>>> accessibility >>>> >> testing done >>>> >> is low compared to getting open source software and improving it to >>>> meet >>>> >> accessibility >>>> >> standards for which the financial cost would likely be ultimately >>>> lower, >>>> >> thereby allowing >>>> >> institutions to make more effective use of their limited funds. >>>> >> >>>> >> > >>>> >> > >>>> >> > >>>> >> > On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 21:37 Benson Muite < >>>> [email protected]> >>>> >> > 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= want to >>>> get >>>> >> >> > involved, at the moment I don=E2=80=99t think the university a= llows >>>> 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 ca= rbon Gen >>>> 10 >>>> >> soon. >>>> >> >> One >>>> >> >> > area I=E2=80=99d like to see get added is dictation. There's a= n >>>> abandoned >>>> >> 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 a= re >>>> >> 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 >>>> useful 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 >>>> involve >>>> >> >> 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/depa= rtments/art >>>> >> >> and to the student clubs in the art department: >>>> >> >> >>>> >> >> >>>> >> >>>> https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/depa= rtments/art/clubs/ >>>> >> >> >>>> >> >> Finally, in terms of testing, is there a KDE application you use >>>> and >>>> >> 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 hel= p >>>> >> >> collaborate >>>> >> >> >> > together on ideas to ensure accessibility in future kde >>>> iterations. >>>> >> >> Nate, >>>> >> >> >> > one of the board members, let me know about your sub-group, >>>> and I >>>> >> >> >> emailed a >>>> >> >> >> > few folks listed as contacts. Just didn't hear back, figuri= ng >>>> >> reaching >>>> >> >> >> out >>>> >> >> >> > directly to this email would be more effective. >>>> >> >> >> > >>>> >> >> >> > Before getting involved though, I should introduce myself. = I >>>> am 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 >>>> groups at >>>> >> >> UAA. >>>> >> >> >> > >>>> >> >> >> > Recently, the university wrote a article about me which goe= s >>>> in >>>> >> detail >>>> >> >> >> > about myself you can read about it here... >>>> >> >> >> > >>>> >> >> >> >>>> >> >> >>>> >> >>>> https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/news/archive/2025/05/chd-disability-advisor= -bridger-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, >>>> this >>>> >> 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 >>>> been >>>> >> 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 >>>> them is >>>> >> >> there >>>> >> >> >> > gold star for supporting disabilities in there OS. >>>> >> >> >> >>>> >> >> >> Thanks for your interest. Are there any KDE applications that >>>> you 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 >>>> >> >> >> >>>> >> >> >>>> >> >>>> >>> --0000000000009b7cef0636b9fe56 Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <div dir=3D"ltr">Oh, I guess this is a question for the both of you. I pref= er=C2=A0Arch linux=C2=A0with KDE, what's your opinion on that, are ther= e any disadvantages? I know they get updates a little less often, I just kn= ow packages and applications can be installed manually if needed.=C2=A0</di= v><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=3D"ltr" cla= ss=3D"gmail_attr">On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 11:26=E2=80=AFPM Bridger Reed-Lewi= s <<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">bridgerreedlewis@gmail.= com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"marg= in:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1e= x"><div dir=3D"ltr">Shervin, thank you for sharing this=C2=A0with us. I am = now very very interested in getting a separate=C2=A0computer to try these o= ut. At the=C2=A0moment, I have a steam deck, but I do have plans to purchas= e a used Thinkpad x1 carbon 10th gen. Once I get that, which will be a few = weeks. Let's chat more about these programs=C2=A0because it seems like = things have changed since I last really dived into linux. I guess if they&#= 39;re available, I'd like to see about working with KDE to develop a st= andard for prepackaged accessibility tools, even if that's through a th= ird-party. What=C2=A0do you think?</div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div= dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 10:56=E2=80=AFPM S= hervin Emami <<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blan= k">[email protected]</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gma= il_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,2= 04,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div>Hi Benson,</div><div><= br></div><div>For around 8 years now I've been using speech recognition= for many hours per day to control KDE desktop, since that is my main way o= f working despite having chronic RSI. Since my background is in robotics &a= mp; AI, I've tried many different=C2=A0alternative interfaces, and gave= a talk specifically for Linux (<a href=3D"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= =3D3aQfwS5pyrg" target=3D"_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D3aQfwS5= pyrg</a>)</div><div></div><div><br></div><div>If you're mostly interest= ed in dictation, you should consider OpenAI Whisper, because it's possi= bly the most reliable ASR engine at the moment but also importantly it has = very good ASR support for many different languages and dialects and accents= , whereas most ASR is targeted for USA and UK English.</div><div><br></div>= <div>Whisper doesn't have an interface for=C2=A0directly=C2=A0dictating= into applications though. And it's not able to do any=C2=A0commands. I= currently=C2=A0use the open-source Faster-Whisper for dictation (with my o= wn code for typing into applications), and the open-source Kaldi-Active-Gra= mmar=C2=A0+ Dragonfly=C2=A0for typing commands including for programming / = typing things on the terminal or controlling the mouse. (<a href=3D"https:/= /dragonfly.readthedocs.io/en/latest/kaldi_engine.html" target=3D"_blank">ht= tps://dragonfly.readthedocs.io/en/latest/kaldi_engine.html</a>)=C2=A0</div>= <div>It's not a clean solution though, the interaction I've set up = between Kaldi and Whisper is quite hacky. But proves that it is very possib= le!</div><div><br></div><div>Talon ASR (free but closed-source at <a href= =3D"https://talonvoice.com/" target=3D"_blank">https://talonvoice.com/</a>)= has a community that have been slowly working towards better interaction w= ith the desktop by voice, they are making excellent solutions for Windows &= amp; Mac where user interface elements have a standardised API. But they sa= y Linux has been a nightmare to have anything close to a standardised way o= f knowing which UI elements are on the screen. And Wayland pretty much does= n't allow interaction with the screen at all! So unfortunately Talon=C2= =A0has a community of eager developers that want to improve usability of sp= eech recognition on Linux, but they have basically given up on Linux recent= ly due to these 2 issues.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div dir=3D"ltr" c= lass=3D"gmail_signature"><div dir=3D"ltr">Cheers,<br>Shervin Emami.<br><div= ><br></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div = dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Wed, 4 Jun 2025 at 16:38, Bridger Reed-= Lewis <<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank">b= [email protected]</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmai= l_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,20= 4,204);padding-left:1ex"><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_quot= e"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 22:23 Benso= n Muite <<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank"= >[email protected]</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gm= ail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,= 204,204);padding-left:1ex">On Wed, Jun 4, 2025, at 9:09 AM, Bridger Reed-Le= wis 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> </blockquote></div> </blockquote></div> </blockquote></div> --0000000000009b7cef0636b9fe56--