Screen Readers and the UNIX Operating System

["Ann K. Parsons" <akp eznet net>]

Dear Darren,

Yes, there has been much work done in recent months on screen readers
for Unix systems.  The most highly developed system for speech within
Unix emvironbments is called Emacspeak and runs from within the
editor, Emacs.  There is one other speech program for Unix
that can run from the "shell"  It is called SVLpro Depending on what
programs the company is using and whether the employee will be using a
"dumb terminal" or a PC as a terminal, there are many options.  

I have CC'ed the Blinux list, which is a technical list for those who
are blind or who have an interest in making Linux and Unix systems
accessible to the blind.  There will probably be someone on there who
could take some time to help you out and give you some technical
advice about how best to fit this consumer with a program that will
allow him/her to access the Unix system.   I trust that someone will
get back to you as soon as possible.

Ann P.
Darren Burton writes:
 > Our agency just received a referral about a blind person whose employer
 > uses a UNIX Operating System to run their invoice system and database
 > system.  Is there any screen reader on the market that can access a UNIX
 > Operating System?  Thanks for any info on where to go to find an answer for
 > this person.
 > 
 > Darren Burton
 > West Virginia Assistive Technology Systems
 > (304) 293-4692

-- 
Ann K. Parsons:  email:  akp eznet net
web site:  http://home.eznet.net/~akp
MICQ Number:  33006854
"All that is gold does not glitter.  Not all those who wander are lost."  JRRT