Comment not an OS issue... (Score 1) 356
operating systems pretty much know nothing about the interface capabilities of their users...this is more of a user interface issue...
that being said:
a) profoundly deaf people who are not blind are not really an issue at this point since the primary output of computers these days is essentially visual (not being insensitive, just pointing out the obvious)
b) profoundly blind people who are not deaf have relied on screen readers for some time...while they can appear crude to sighted people, I've seen some folks do amazing things with them...no doubt they can be improved...
c) Profoundly deaf+blind is a large problem in many dimensions although touch interfaces (e.g. Braille and others) can help (also useful as an adjunct to screen readers)
d) as pointed out else there are various degrees of these afflictions...sometimes something as simple as a magnifying glass is sufficient...and much depends on the individual as well...
I have worked with people in all these categories except for "c"...various versions of Windows, MacOS, and *nix all have useful tools...
_k
that being said:
a) profoundly deaf people who are not blind are not really an issue at this point since the primary output of computers these days is essentially visual (not being insensitive, just pointing out the obvious)
b) profoundly blind people who are not deaf have relied on screen readers for some time...while they can appear crude to sighted people, I've seen some folks do amazing things with them...no doubt they can be improved...
c) Profoundly deaf+blind is a large problem in many dimensions although touch interfaces (e.g. Braille and others) can help (also useful as an adjunct to screen readers)
d) as pointed out else there are various degrees of these afflictions...sometimes something as simple as a magnifying glass is sufficient...and much depends on the individual as well...
I have worked with people in all these categories except for "c"...various versions of Windows, MacOS, and *nix all have useful tools...
_k
