Speakers
Description
Join Us in Breaking Down Barriers
This hands-on hackathon tackles real accessibility challenges in the MATE desktop environment, focusing on critical panel component issues that affect daily usability for visually impaired users.
What We'll Accomplish
Working with the Vojtux project – a specialized Linux distribution for visually impaired users – we'll address two specific accessibility bugs:
- MATE Volume Control: Currently not presented correctly to screen readers on the MATE panel
- MATE Menu Component: Missing accessible descriptions, creating confusion for users navigating the panel
- and potentially more, if there is time
These issues will be documented and reported to upstream MATE projects for broader community impact. We will also try to create fixes for these issues and submit them upstream.
Your Unique Learning Opportunity
Work directly alongside blind developers who use these tools daily, gaining invaluable insights into:
- Real-world accessibility testing with actual screen reader users
- AT-SPI debugging and implementation techniques
- MATE panel architecture and accessibility integration
What Makes This Special
- Immediate impact: Improve life for visually impaired Linux users
- Expert guidance: Learn from both GNOME developers and blind community members
- Upstream contribution: Document issues for the entire MATE ecosystem
Perfect For Developers Who Want To
✓ Gain practical accessibility development skills
✓ Learn about assistive technologies from actual users
✓ Make a tangible difference in Linux accessibility
What will you need?
- a laptop which is able to run a VM
Ready to make the desktop work for everyone? Join us in building a more accessible future.
More information about Vojtux: https://github.com/vojtapolasek/vojtux
