Slashdot Mirror
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 Should disabled users stick with outdated, vulnerable, and unsupported Linux distros or should we move to OS-X / Windows?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."
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."
What did you expect for "free", free lifetime support as well?
"Eve of Destruction", it's not just for old hippies anymore...
i'll maintain it for £40kpa sustained across 1 single distro of your choice across its life time.
the choice is yours
The problem with slashdot is that most of its users were bullied and stuffed into lockers as kids!
Of course this shouldn't even be an issue. You would think accesibility features would be a priority within the community or some segment of it.
You know how desktops still contain that crappy internal speaker, and the computer beeps once when its starting normally? Thats because the ADA demands this audio feedback. Welcome Linux to the corporate world where you dont get to do whatever the fuck you want.
Handicap accessibility is a legal requirement in most of the world, and anyone that breaks that accessibility could be a target for a lawsuit. In this case thats the guy that submitted the "patch" that broke this feature. Sure, he wasn't trying to break the feature and he probably wont lose the lawsuit, but he will still be there in court defending himself and explaining why he didnt even try to fix it if someone really wanted to push this issue. Whats that? Linux is free software? Yeah, but maybe it came installed on his computer (you guys have been pushing for a more frequent Linux option when buying a desktop, right?) and thats exactly when the ADA kicks in.
Microsoft would also potentially be facing a lawsuit if they broke handicap accessibility and then ignored the issue. Keep that in mind.
"His name was James Damore."