ACIAH-Linux – accessible Linux Mint-based distribution

ACIAH-Linux is a Linux distribution designed to make everyday computing easier for people who may find conventional desktop interfaces difficult to use. It is aimed particularly at blind and visually impaired people, users with motor difficulties, seniors, and people with limited experience of computers.

The distribution builds on the familiar Linux Mint Xfce desktop but adapts the user experience around accessibility and simplicity. Its approach is to reduce the number of actions needed to perform common tasks, provide clearer routes to applications and functions, and make extensive use of keyboard control and speech. This allows users to work with mainstream applications while benefiting from an interface designed around their particular needs.

Key Features

• ACIAH-Menu provides a simplified keyboard-driven route to commonly used applications and actions.
• Dedicated Heart key can open the main menu with a single key press.
• Includes the Orca screen reader for spoken feedback and accessible navigation.
• Offers simplified keyboard shortcuts and scripts that replace more complicated multi-key operations.
• Provides one-key actions intended to help people with restricted movement or users who find conventional keyboard combinations difficult.
• Includes tools for reading text aloud, working with audiobooks, decompressing files and performing other common operations.
• Scanner workflow can help users read scanned documents and create PDF and image files.
• Can be installed on an internal drive, used alongside another operating system, or carried as a bootable USB system.
• Provides both simplified and vocalised configurations to suit different accessibility requirements.
• Uses the Xfce desktop environment and inherits Linux Mint’s software ecosystem and package management.

This entry was written with the assistance of a visitor who completed the distro form.