Suggestion: Add Support For Screen-Reader Users

[FairiesDreamsFantasy]

I got a suggestion for SuperTux:

Add support for screen-reader users.

I am really interested of playing SuperTux, but it doesn't have a built-in feature for screen-reader users. Most of these menus don't have a self-voicing feature built-in. And a screen-reader what I am using is Orca via Ubuntu Linux on either on my laptop, or desktop computer.

I can't see as I play this game, and I want this game to have audio cues to make it easier for a blind person to play SuperTux.

I have vision before, I know what videogames actually look like by heart.

Okay, let me describe this suggestion even further:

A Self-Voicing Menu

A self-voicing menu is a feature that uses a voice cue that will speak a menu item, for example; a screen-reader user loads SuperTux, and a user is greeted with the following:

A typical startup chime with a voice saying "SuperTux" after a game is loaded.

You hear, "use the up and down arrow keys to select options, and then press enter."

You focus on a menu item... saying for example, "Start Game."

A user uses arrow keys to select options like usual, and start a game.

Audio Cues

Audio cues are important for screen-reader users to play Super Tux by using a keyboard, joystick, or other controller of choice.
Each audio cue has unique sounds to indicate objects, enemies, etc.

Essentially, a screen-reader user is listening for sound from a game.

There are other audio games out there, but some of them are either limited, or crude as only pressing a button, and listening for audio cues, such as Google Chrome's Dino game that is offline when internet is not present.

[peginthepenguin]

it would be such a hassle to implement all of the voicelines in.

[FairiesDreamsFantasy]

Baby steps is preferred when implementing a built-in screen-reader feature what I am requesting. However; you can always use speech sythesizers for the best results when implementhing this feature. You can have a mix of either speech sythesis, or voice actor/actresses. Each type has adventages and drawbacks.

Speech Synthesizers

Speech synthesizers are ideal for adding voices to characters, or onscreen menu/controls,--or even a direction what you are facing. Screen-readers use speech synthesizers to output speech without using actors/actresses. This feature can be implemented with open-source speech synthesizers what we find on Orca, or NVDA,--or other open-source software.

The drawbacks are inconsistency of voices when pronouncing certain words or use of any language set by any character in this game.

Voice Actors Or Actresses

This is the most expensive method of implementing speech to SuperTux. Unlike using synthesizers, you either implement auditions for vollunteer actors/actresses, or have them submit recordings, they must be instructed to follow the script for voice cues.

Drawbacks are higher labor costs, and implementation can be tricky.

External Screen-Reader Support

This implementation requires accessibility to be baked into SuperTux for screen-reader users. That also requires code to be improved for select screen-readers on Linux, Mac, FreeDOS, Android, iOS, Windows, and other platforms (including Nintendo).

Drawbacks are possibilities of glitches can cause a screen-reader NOT to register what's happening within a game itself.

For the best experience when implementing this feature what I am requesting, use baby steps, that way; coding mistakes can be avoided. It's kind of like doing art!

You can't rush art, time is very important when implementing this feature.

A gradual method of implementing this feature is recommended, think about developing quality software for consumers.

TTS implementation should be a high priority,--especially graphics and sprites recognition.