I'm excited by this. AbilityNet are the leading UK charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the Internet by adapting and adjusting their technology and they are poised to release 3 netbooks/UMPCs based on the ASUS eee PC with open assistive technology included.
David Banes, Director of Development, told me there will be 3 versions:
- Basic Linux ASUS + write online as a dyslexia notetaker
- Windows ASUS + AccessAT apps inc NVDA
- Ubuntu Linux ASUS + Orca installed and configured
So that's the best of Open Source Accessibility software represented on machines coming from a well known expert in the field. There's GNOME accessibility including Orca, Firefox and its many accessibility extensions and the NVDA screen-reader.
It really doesn't seem such a long time since we discussed on www.oatsoft.org how the new ASUS eee motherboards could be a great accessibility platform, giving low-cost access to communications and IT. AbilityNet's provision of these machines is an important milestone and we can hope for more specialised 'appliance' bundles coming out in time, for example AAC devices.
AbilityNet expect that these machines will be popular in education, where UMPCs are already doing very well (RM badge the eee PC). Adding the best of Open Accessibility will raise the awareness of what these projects offer and reach more users who want low price but high quality access. Hopefully these new users will join in the communities and help make the tools even better.
[Update] The recently announced eee Touch PC is another piece in the low cost AAC puzzle. I think Maavis and www.straight-street.com's open symbol set would work really well
Keywords: AbilityNet, Education, eee PC, Firefox, GNOME, NVDA, Open Source