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I recently faced an interesting issue with a friend’s new Chromebook.
My friend has a disability and uses a single finger to write on her blog antybariera.pl. Because she wrote in Polish by default, to put special characters, like ąśćżęł, she would need to use key combinations. For that purpose, she would have to use two fingers, which is extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Chromebooks are equipped with useful accessibility features. I remember seeing something called a sticky key that, in theory, should work as follows.
To produce the character ę in Polish, press and hold the Alt key and then press the letter e.
Sticky Keys work in a way that allows you to single-press a key like Alt. This activates it and makes it behave as if held down with another finger. In the same way, you can double-press the Control key (like the Alt key) to make it act like it’s always pressed, similar to how the Caps Lock key typically behaves. This will allow you to type more than one special character in one run. If you don’t need to use the key any longer, you press it again (for the third time) to release it from serving the sticky key function.
That’s in theory.
The Linux environment has been a part of my computer workflow for years.
In my personal life, I use macOS, which allows me to leverage the terminal to extend my possibilities beyond the graphical user interface (GUI).
At work, I use Windows devices. Through the Windows Subsystem for Linux, I can also use Linux on these machines.
Recently, as part of my work with Chromebooks, I decided to leverage the power of the Linux terminal there as well.
I recently got the privilege to assist an elderly member of the community in his first steps with the computer as a part of my volunteering through a UK charity called AbilityNet.
AbilityNet’s mission is to make a digital world accessible to all. Through it, they offer support services for a wide range of users. From older or disabled people looking for help with their technology to digital professionals advocating for accessibility best practices within their organisation.
As a part of the adjustment for that person, I decided to introduce them to ChromeOS Flex.
ChromeOS Flex is an operating system provided by Google, which is very similar to these on branded Chromebooks, but without access to the Google Play Store and not backed up by the Android engine. This system can be installed on a variety of devices making it more accessible for people who need stability and simplicity.
Windows and macOS can be overwhelming for people who never used computers, this is where Chromebooks fit perfectly.
Google integrated a lot of accessibility features into this system allowing it to adjust them to the needs of users with its users in mind.
There is one problem, however.
How do you introduce somebody, who lived his life without a need to integrate into technology?
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