[Feature]: Accessibility Improvements

[Bariyasachin96]

Feature description

I am a blind user who depends on a screen reader (TalkBack) to use Termux. The app currently has serious accessibility issues that make it very difficult for visually impaired users to work effectively.

Issues

1. Cursor movement not spoken

When moving the cursor inside the terminal, the screen reader does not announce the text at the new position.

The cursor moves, but no speech feedback is given.

2. Output text not accessible

When new output appears in the terminal, it is visible, but moving the cursor over it does not cause the screen reader to read anything.

This makes it impossible to review terminal output with a screen reader.

3. Missing session management options

The menu does not provide options to create a new session, switch between sessions, or close sessions.

There is no accessible way to manage multiple sessions.

Suggestions

1. Fix cursor handling so that whenever the cursor moves, the screen reader reads the text at that position.

2. Ensure that all terminal output can be reviewed by moving the cursor, with proper speech feedback.

3. Add accessible menu options for session management (new session, switch session, close session).

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Impact:
These issues make Termux nearly unusable for blind users. Fixing cursor reading, output accessibility, and session management will greatly improve usability and inclusivity for visually impaired users.

Additional information

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[agnostic-apollo]

Hi,
Accessibility and blind user issues still not being solved is on me, I have been busy with termux refactor for a long time, it is about to be completed, and I plan on spending dedicated time for accessibility improvements this year.

The menu does not provide options to create a new session, switch between sessions, or close sessions.

The ability to create or switch sessions can be done with the left drawer, it can be opened by swiping from left edge of screen towards the right. The DRAWER extra key can also be added to extra keys in ~/.termux/termux.properties file if swiping is an issue.

https://wiki.termux.com/wiki/Touch_Keyboard#Extra_Keys_Row

You can also add session shortcuts in the properties file to create and switch sessions.

https://wiki.termux.com/wiki/Terminal_Settings#Handling_terminal_sessions

Currently you cannot close sessions from sessions list. But CTRL+D in bash should work while there is no other command being entered, or you can run exit command.

[Bariyasachin96]

Thank you for your response and for prioritizing accessibility improvements this year. I understand that the left drawer can be opened by swiping from the left edge of the screen, but for screen reader users, swipe gestures are not always reliable. To make session management more accessible, I kindly request you to add a "Session List" option directly in the Termux menu. The list should display how many sessions are currently open. For example, if I have two sessions running, both should appear in the list, and I should be able to easily switch between them. (Optional, but very useful): If possible, long-pressing a session in the list could provide options to rename or delete the session. If that is difficult to implement, then just having the session list itself would already be a big improvement. This addition would make Termux much more accessible and user-friendly for blind and visually impaired users. Thank you for your consideration.

[agnostic-apollo]

Like I said, for now you can add the DRAWER key to extra keys that show at the bottom of the terminal, and it will open the sessions list. Although you will need to edit extra keys json config in properties file and restart termux.

I'll look into adding an option in long hold menu.

[agnostic-apollo]

You can already long hold on a session item in the sessions list to rename it.

[RalfWerner]

edit extra keys json config in properties file and restart termux

I am not blind, but I often use DRAWER and also have them in the ExtraKeys = EK-line, as well as close and change cyclically (Next session). A restart to update the EK functions is not necessary for, since termux-reload-settings do this immediately. I use scripts to change the EK, for example, change between 1/2 EK lines and the action can also be placed on an EK.