Debian Accessibility Project
Summary
Input methods
Debian Accessibility Non-standard input methods

This metapackage will install packages which are useful for non-standard input methods.

Description

For a better overview of the project's availability as a Debian package, each head row has a color code according to this scheme:

If you discover a project which looks like a good candidate for Debian Accessibility to you, or if you have prepared an unofficial Debian package, please do not hesitate to send a description of that project to the Debian Accessibility mailing list

Links to other tasks

Debian Accessibility Input methods packages

Official Debian packages with high relevance

caribou
Configurable on screen keyboard with scanning mode
Versions of package caribou
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
buster0.4.21-7amd64,arm64,armhf,i386
bullseye0.4.21-7.1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
bookworm0.4.21-8amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
trixie0.4.21-9amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
sid0.4.21-9amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
jessie0.4.15-1amd64,armel,armhf,i386
stretch0.4.21-1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
stretch-security0.4.21-1+deb9u1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386
Debtags of package caribou:
interfacex11
uitoolkitgtk
Popcon: 831 users (1218 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Git

An input assistive technology intended for switch and pointer users.

eviacam
camera based mouse emulator
Maintainer: Cesar Mauri (Olly Betts)
Versions of package eviacam
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
stretch2.1.0-1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
bookworm2.1.4-2.1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
bullseye2.1.4-2amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
sid2.1.4-2.1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
buster2.1.3-4.1amd64,arm64,armhf,i386
Popcon: 5 users (0 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free

Enable Viacam (aka eViacam) is a mouse replacement program that moves the pointer tracking the user's head movements. It works on a standard computer equipped with a "webcam". No additional hardware is required. Based on the award winning Facial Mouse.

gnome-mousetrap
Head tracked mouse control
Versions of package gnome-mousetrap
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
buster3.17.3-5all
sid3.17.3-10all
trixie3.17.3-10all
bookworm3.17.3-9all
bullseye3.17.3-8all
stretch3.17.3-3all
Popcon: 3 users (4 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Git

MouseTrap permits people with movements impairments to access the computer. It uses image processing to translate the user's head movements into mouse events (movements, clicks) which allow users to interact with the different desktops managers and applications.

Screenshots of package gnome-mousetrap
ibus-sharada-braille
??? missing short description for package ibus-sharada-braille :-(
Versions of package ibus-sharada-braille
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
jessie0.1.2.99+git0.c90ffb02-2amd64,armel,armhf,i386
stretch0.3-1all
Popcon: users ( upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Git
mousetweaks
mouse accessibility enhancements for the GNOME desktop
Versions of package mousetweaks
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
bullseye3.32.0-3amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
jessie3.12.0-1amd64,armel,armhf,i386
stretch3.12.0-1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
buster3.12.0-5amd64,arm64,armhf,i386
bookworm3.32.0-4amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
trixie3.32.0-4amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
sid3.32.0-4amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
Debtags of package mousetweaks:
interfacex11
roleprogram
uitoolkitgtk
Popcon: 245 users (510 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Git

This package contains a daemon and some panel applets to improve mouse usability on the GNOME desktop. These enhancements are:

  • The possibility to click without a button
  • The ability to bring the context menu with a one-button mouse (like MacOS does)
  • An area to capture the mouse pointer until it is released with a pre-defined key combination.
Screenshots of package mousetweaks
onboard
Simple On-screen Keyboard
Versions of package onboard
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
stretch1.3.0-1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
buster1.4.1-4amd64,arm64,armhf,i386
trixie1.4.1-9amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
bullseye1.4.1-5amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
bookworm1.4.1-5amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
sid1.4.1-9amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
Debtags of package onboard:
uitoolkitgtk
Popcon: 306 users (72 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Git

On-screen Keyboard (OSK) with macros, easy layout creation and word suggestion.

This virtual keyboard can be useful for tablet PC users operated via touchscreens, as well as for mobility impaired users.

tuxtype
Educational Typing Tutor Game Starring Tux
Versions of package tuxtype
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
buster1.8.3-4amd64,arm64,armhf,i386
stretch1.8.3-1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
jessie1.8.3-1amd64,armel,armhf,i386
sid1.8.3-5.1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
bookworm1.8.3-5.1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
bullseye1.8.3-5amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
Debtags of package tuxtype:
gamearcade, typing
juniorarcade
roleprogram
uitoolkitsdl
usegameplaying, learning
Popcon: 42 users (28 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Git

TuxTyping is an educational typing tutorial game starring Tux, the Linux Penguin. The player guides Tux to eat fish which are falling from the top of the screen. Each fish has a letter written on it. When the player presses the corresponding key, Tux will position himself to eat the fish. The game is intended for children learning to type, though it does have higher difficulty levels which even experienced typists may find challenging.

Screenshots of package tuxtype
wayv
??? missing short description for package wayv :-(
Maintainer: Nick Rusnov
Versions of package wayv
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
jessie0.3-5amd64,armel,armhf,i386
Debtags of package wayv:
accessibilityinput
interfacex11
roleprogram
scopeutility
uitoolkitxlib
x11application
Popcon: 1 users (0 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Screenshots of package wayv
xvkbd
software virtual keyboard for X11
Versions of package xvkbd
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
bookworm4.1-2amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
stretch3.3-1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
buster3.9-1amd64,arm64,armhf,i386
bullseye4.1-1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
jessie3.3-1amd64,armel,armhf,i386
sid4.1-3amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
trixie4.1-3amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
Debtags of package xvkbd:
accessibilityinput
hardwareinput, input:mouse
interfacex11
roleprogram
scopeutility
uitoolkitathena
x11application
Popcon: 84 users (29 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Git

xvkbd is a virtual (graphical) keyboard program for X Window System which provides facility to enter characters onto other clients (software) by clicking on a keyboard displayed on the screen. This may be used for systems without a hardware keyboard such as kiosk terminals or handheld devices. This program also has facility to send characters specified as the command line option to another client.

Official Debian packages with lower relevance

cellwriter
grid-entry handwriting input panel
Versions of package cellwriter
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
jessie1.3.5-1amd64,armel,armhf,i386
stretch1.3.5-1amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
bullseye1.3.6-3amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
buster1.3.6-1amd64,arm64,armhf,i386
Debtags of package cellwriter:
accessibilityinput
hardwareinput
interfacex11
roleprogram
scopeutility
uitoolkitgtk
works-withtext
x11application
Popcon: 4 users (0 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Git

CellWriter is a grid-entry natural handwriting input panel. As you write characters into the cells, your writing is instantly recognized at the character level. When you press 'Enter' on the panel, the input you entered is sent to the currently focused application as if typed on the keyboard.

  • Writer-dependent, learns your handwriting for reliable recognition
  • Correcting preprocessor algorithms account for digitizer noise, differing stroke order, direction, and number of strokes
  • Unicode support enables you to write in your native language
Screenshots of package cellwriter
dasher
graphical predictive text input system
Versions of package dasher
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
stretch5.0.0~beta~repack-2amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
trixie5.0.0~beta~repack2-4amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
sid5.0.0~beta~repack2-4amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,ppc64el,riscv64,s390x
bookworm5.0.0~beta~repack2-4amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
bullseye5.0.0~beta~repack2-2amd64,arm64,armel,armhf,i386,mips64el,mipsel,ppc64el,s390x
buster5.0.0~beta~repack-7amd64,arm64,armhf,i386
jessie4.11+git20130508.adc653-2amd64,armel,armhf,i386
Debtags of package dasher:
accessibilityinput
interfacex11
roleprogram
scopeapplication
suitegnome
uitoolkitgtk
x11application
Popcon: 21 users (39 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Git

Dasher is an information-efficient text-entry interface, driven by natural continuous pointing gestures. Dasher is a competitive text-entry system wherever a full-size keyboard cannot be used - for example,

  • on a palmtop computer
  • on a wearable computer
  • when operating a computer one-handed, by joystick, touchscreen, trackball, or mouse
  • when operating a computer with zero hands (i.e., by head-mouse or by eyetracker).

The eyetracking version of Dasher allows an experienced user to write text as fast as normal handwriting - 25 words per minute; using a mouse, experienced users can write at 39 words per minute.

Dasher uses a more advanced prediction algorithm than the T9(tm) system often used in mobile phones, making it sensitive to surrounding context.

Screenshots of package dasher
ibus-braille
Braille input engine for IBus
Versions of package ibus-braille
ReleaseVersionArchitectures
sid0.3-8all
stretch0.3-1all
buster0.3-4all
bullseye0.3-6all
bookworm0.3-8all
trixie0.3-8all
Popcon: 1 users (1 upd.)*
Versions and Archs
License: DFSG free
Git

Ibus-braille allows one to use the PC keyboard to type text in graphical desktops in a Perkins-like way, i.e. braille patterns.

It supports several braille tables (english, french, indian, spanish), contracted braille and abbreviations.

It comes with table editors.

*Popularitycontest results: number of people who use this package regularly (number of people who upgraded this package recently) out of 243344