Ask Slashdot: How To Handle Unfixed Linux Accessibility Bugs?

dotancohen (1015143) writes "It is commonly said that open source software is preferable because if you need something changed, you can change it yourself. Well, I am not an Xorg developer and I cannot maintain a separate Xorg fork. Xorg version 1.13.1 introduced a bug which breaks the "Sticky Keys" accessibility option. Thus, handicapped users who rely on the feature cannot use Xorg-based systems with the affected versions and are stuck on older software versions. Though all pre-bug Linux distros are soon scheduled for retirement, there seems to be no fix in sight. Should disabled users stick with outdated, vulnerable, and unsupported Linux distros or should we move to OS-X / Windows?

The prospect of changing my OS, applications, and practices due to such an ostensibly small issue is frightening. Note that we are not discussing 'I don't like change' but rather 'this unintentional change is incompatible with my physical disability.' Thus this is not a case of every change breaks someone's workflow."

Comments

First things first

[Anonymous Coward]

Re-compile the kernel.

go Windows

[turkeydance]

familiarity with being handicapped.

Switch to wayland

[Anonymous Coward]

They might not have implemented that bug yet.

Re:As someone who is Handicapped

[H0p313ss]

I agree. Last I heard, we *wanted* people to use Linux on the desktop.

That's just a rumor that the Gnome guys would take issue with.

Re:RMS mentions a comparable situation

[Charliemopps]

The open source community is pretty cool. Simply getting together in the right forum would likely get the right people interested in helping you. Hell I'd start with posting to Slashdot... hey... WAIT A MINUTE WE'VE BEEN HAD!!!

Re:RMS mentions a comparable situation

[JustOK]

IF they have a disability that requires them to use sticky keys AND if sticky keys don't work THEN exactly how do you expect them to code the fix?