Request for improvement for screen reader users

[kbuwel]

1. ~~Create a shortcut key for the voice output of the currently operating train speed.~~
2. ~~Audio output of information about the station you are currently passing through is required.~~
3. Voice output of the direction of the currently operating train is required. Forward, reverse, etc.
4. Whether it is ATP or ATS, audio output is required.
5. I wish there was an audio output for brake operation. Whether it is emergency braking or brake application, etc.
6. Voice output for the a and z keys is required. It is related to number 5. Depending on the train's steering wheel, the Z key operates as a brake on some trains, and this must be output as a voice. Since key a is related to train speed, voice output must be provided. All of this is already implemented in bve2.

Description

Please describe the issue you are experiencing.

Reproduction

If the issue occurs in multiple routes/ trains, please provide one or two samples. In order to reproduce the issue and debug it, it's helpful to have the following:

Route

Please provide a link to where the route may be downloaded.

Train

Please provide a link to the train may be downloaded.

Logs

Logs may be accessed through the 'Report Problem' button on the bottom left of the screen. Please provide a log, and a crash-log if the game actually crashes.

Related information

• Operating system
• Method of control (Keyboard, joystick, RailDriver)

[leezer3]

https://vps.bvecornwall.co.uk/OpenBVE/Builds/OpenBVE-2023-10-16.zip

This build should send the current handle position to the screen reader when one is changed, which is a good idea.

Some of the other stuff exists already: To get the current speed try SHIFT + CTRL + S To get the current station information, try SHIFT + CTRL + T To get the next signal information, try SHIFT + CTRL + A

(If these keys do not work/ are not currently set, under the controls tab, please set the ACCESSIBILITY ones to something of your liking)

ATS / ATC is a little more difficult however for two reasons:

1. No inbuilt strings for this (easy to add however)
2. ATC is handled via train plugins, including the inbuilt one. This has no method of passing back a status suitable for screenreaders by default. Whilst something might be able to be added, it would only be likely to work with a limited subset of content.

[JunmoreHeavyBox]

Chance. When I use the AI driver, Accessibility reports the reverse handle status at a high frequency when there is no action at the AI.

[marcriera]

I think the handle messages are a great accessibility feature, but currently they are always shown regardless of the "Accessibility aids" checkbox in the options. It should be possible to enable or disable them.

[leezer3]

Odd. I'll double-check tomorrow, but I've been working on stuff since, and I'm pretty sure it's not doing that here.

[leezer3]

I think the handle messages are a great accessibility feature, but currently they are always shown regardless of the "Accessibility aids" checkbox in the options. It should be possible to enable or disable them.

I can reproduce this. will look at later in the week. I've got a nasty suspicion why, but need to check the code....

[kbuwel]

It would be nice to have a shortcut key to output the next stop by voice. If the station in operation is a passing station and the next station is a stopping station, the speed of the train must be adjusted, but there are many cases where the train passes through without knowing which station it will stop at.

[leezer3]

I think that may well be available under the controls too, although I don't remember offhand.

I'll check that tomorrow.

It also seems to me that we need to update the website with a proper list of these controls.

[leezer3]

https://openbve-project.net/play-accessibility/

Actually, that's already there. The ACCESIBILITY_NEXT_STATION hotkey is listed there too.

Please explore these.

I'll get the list updated to include the new handle messaging tomorrow.

[lp20065220]

Is it possible that screen reader support may be added to the Mac version of this? I'm not sure if that is possible, considering the McIntosh version uses the mono framework.