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:boosts_ok_gay:​Help with Linux Screenreaders 

For better accessibility testing of the software I build, I've started testing more with screen readers.

On Android, enabling and using TalkBack is relatively straightforward, but for testing on my desktop, Orca is completely unusable.

I have a brand new Debian VM with GNOME, and Orca enabled, but actually using it in firefox just barely works. TalkBack has a nice workflow with highlighted elements that you move between as you read the page, but Orca seems delegated to using caret browsing and reading whatever your cursor is on? Am I missing shortcuts (which are also a pain, because the modifier can only be caps-lock or insert, not really conveniently placed)

Am I missing something, or is this the state of on ?
Also the tts quality is very poor, which would make this even worse for any prolonged testing, but maybe there are alternative engines?

:boosts_ok_gay:​Help with Linux Screenreaders 

@f0x The state of linux accessibility is indeed very bad. There are other TTS engines, though you the choice is usually good, free, gratis, pick any 1.

:boosts_ok_gay:​Help with Linux Screenreaders 

@modulux @f0x When testing web #a11y it's good to know that screen readers do often implement their own navigation paradigm as an addition to standard focus navigation and browser's caret navigation features. It's called browse mode. With orca on linux, you can press orca+a to toggle the browse mode vs focus mode when focus is inside a google chrome / chromium or mozilla firefox web content.
As for the TTS engines there is #RHVoice with some very good voices such as english voice named slt.

:boosts_ok_gay:​Help with Linux Screenreaders 

@pvagner @f0x Ah, thanks. I suspected orca had to have single-letter navigation of some kind but I forgot how it worked and couldn't find it quickly on the docs I searched.

:boosts_ok_gay:​Help with Linux Screenreaders 

@f0x Unfortunately, this is the state of Linux accessibility as it currently stands. There is potential for improvement over the next few years with the Odilia and Access Kit projects, however, there are no guarantees to my knowledge. Here's the GitHub page for both projects, in case you're interested. github.com/odilia-app/odilia github.com/AccessKit/accesskit

re: :boosts_ok_gay:​Help with Linux Screenreaders 

@dangero yep.. Odilia seemed quite promising, keeping an eye on that for sure

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