✨ feat: feat(a11y, resilience): add ORCA support via Super+Alt+S and robust compositor startup

Accessibility (ORCA / AT-SPI2):
- Add accessibility.py module with AT-SPI2 announce() and start_orca() helpers
- Use standard GNOME shortcut Super+Alt+S to start ORCA interactively in the
  wizard — no GRUB kernel parameters needed
- Add accessible labels/descriptions to all wizard steps, FlowBox containers,
  settings cards (JamesDSP, contrast), and language search grid
- Announce step navigation, filter results count, and switch toggle state to
  screen readers via AT-SPI2
- Add keyboard activation (Enter/Space) for toggle cards in theme view
- Expose step position (e.g. "2/4") in accessible descriptions

Compositor startup resilience (startbiglive):
- Add multi-stage fallback for kwin_wayland: hardware → primary GPU only
  (with Mesa EGL override for NVIDIA hybrid) → software rendering (llvmpipe)
- Add multi-stage fallback for mutter: hardware → simple KMS + copy mode
  (with Mesa EGL for NVIDIA) → software rendering (llvmpipe)
- Add GPU readiness wait (_wait_for_gpu) before compositor launch
- Add anti-loop protection: limit SDDM restart attempts with cooldown timer
- Add multi-GPU detection (boot_vga, switcherooctl) and NVIDIA proprietary
  driver detection for correct EGL vendor selection
- Apply default config automatically when wizard cannot start
- Add structured logging via logger for all startup stages

Session stability:
- Ensure XDG_RUNTIME_DIR and DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS are set before
  waiting for user session
- Add rescue attempt to start default.target if session times out
- Guard plasma-kglobalaccel start with error suppression

Other fixes:
- Fix application ID to reverse-DNS format (br.com.biglinux.livecd)
- Fix TEXTDOMAIN from calamares-biglinux to biglinux-livecd
- Fix geoip style from "none" to "xml" in calamares welcome config
- Fix typo: pkgAvaliableToRemove → pkgAvailableToRemove

Author: talesam

biglinux-livecd/usr/share/biglinux/livecd/accessibility.py

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+"""Accessibility utilities for ORCA screen reader support (AT-SPI2)."""
+
+import subprocess
+
+import gi
+
+gi.require_version("Gtk", "4.0")
+from gi.repository import Gtk
+from logging_config import get_logger
+
+logger = get_logger()
+
+_HAS_ANNOUNCE = hasattr(Gtk.Accessible, "announce")
+
+
+def announce(widget: Gtk.Accessible, message: str, assertive: bool = False) -> None:
+    """
+    Announce a message to screen readers (ORCA) via AT-SPI2.
+    Uses Gtk.Accessible.announce() on GTK 4.14+.
+    """
+    if not message or not widget:
+        return
+    if _HAS_ANNOUNCE:
+        try:
+            priority = (
+                Gtk.AccessibleAnnouncementPriority.HIGH
+                if assertive
+                else Gtk.AccessibleAnnouncementPriority.MEDIUM
+            )
+            widget.announce(message, priority)
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.debug(f"announce() failed: {e}")
+    else:
+        logger.debug(f"a11y: {message}")
+
+
+def start_orca() -> bool:
+    """Start ORCA screen reader if not already running."""
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ["pgrep", "-x", "orca"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            timeout=5,
+        )
+        if result.returncode == 0:
+            logger.info("ORCA is already running")
+            return True
+        subprocess.Popen(
+            ["orca"],
+            stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+        )
+        logger.info("Started ORCA screen reader")
+        return True
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        logger.warning("ORCA not found on this system")
+        return False
+    except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+        logger.warning("Timeout checking for ORCA process")
+        return False

biglinux-livecd/usr/share/biglinux/livecd/main.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import sys
 import argparse
 import logging
+
 from logging_config import setup_logging
 from application import Application
 from services import SystemService

biglinux-livecd/usr/share/biglinux/livecd/ui/app_window.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 from ui.keyboard_view import KeyboardView
 from ui.desktop_view import DesktopView
 from ui.theme_view import ThemeView
+from accessibility import announce, start_orca
 from logging_config import get_logger
 import os
 
@@ -71,6 +72,14 @@ def __init__(self, system_service: SystemService, **kwargs):
         self.completed_steps = set()  # Track completed steps
         self.is_simplified_env = system_service.is_simplified_environment()
         self.set_title(_("BigLinux Setup"))
+        self.update_property(
+            [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.DESCRIPTION],
+            [
+                _("BigLinux Setup")
+                + " — "
+                + _("press Super+Alt+S to start the screen reader")
+            ],
+        )
 
         # --- Fullscreen for Xorg without compositor ---
         # This approach makes the window undecorated and sized to the monitor.
@@ -206,6 +215,14 @@ def _build_ui(self):
     def _retranslate_ui(self):
         """Updates all visible text in the application to the new language."""
         self.set_title(_("BigLinux Setup"))
+        self.update_property(
+            [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.DESCRIPTION],
+            [
+                _("BigLinux Setup")
+                + " \u2014 "
+                + _("press Super+Alt+S to start the screen reader")
+            ],
+        )
 
         # Update step button accessible labels
         for step in self.steps:
@@ -273,11 +290,17 @@ def _add_step_button(self, box, step_info):
         button.connect("clicked", self._on_step_button_clicked, step_info["name"])
         button.add_css_class("flat")
 
-        # Accessible label for screen readers
+        # Accessible label and description for screen readers
         label_fn = self._STEP_LABELS.get(step_info["name"])
         if label_fn:
+            step_index = next(
+                (i for i, s in enumerate(self.steps) if s["name"] == step_info["name"]),
+                0,
+            )
+            total = len(self.steps)
             button.update_property(
-                [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.LABEL], [label_fn()]
+                [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.LABEL, Gtk.AccessibleProperty.DESCRIPTION],
+                [label_fn(), f"{step_index + 1}/{total}"],
             )
 
         try:
@@ -293,6 +316,24 @@ def _add_step_button(self, box, step_info):
 
     def _on_view_changed(self, stack, param):
         GLib.idle_add(self._update_header_state)
+        # Announce the new step to screen readers (ORCA)
+        view_name = stack.get_visible_child_name()
+        GLib.idle_add(lambda n=view_name: self._announce_step(n))
+
+    def _announce_step(self, view_name: str) -> None:
+        """Announce step label and position to screen readers."""
+        search_name = "theme" if view_name == "simple_theme" else view_name
+        try:
+            index = next(
+                i for i, s in enumerate(self.steps) if s["name"] == search_name
+            )
+        except StopIteration:
+            return
+        total = len(self.steps)
+        label_fn = self._STEP_LABELS.get(search_name)
+        step_label = label_fn() if label_fn else search_name
+        msg = f"{step_label} — {index + 1}/{total}"
+        announce(self, msg, assertive=True)
 
     def _on_step_button_clicked(self, button, view_name):
         # Only allow navigation to completed steps
@@ -329,14 +370,17 @@ def _update_header_state(self):
                     # Completed step - clickable and visually active
                     button.add_css_class("step-completed")
                     button.set_sensitive(True)
+                    button.update_state([Gtk.AccessibleState.DISABLED], [False])
                 elif i == current_index:
                     # Current step - most prominent and enabled for bright appearance
                     button.add_css_class("step-current")
                     button.set_sensitive(True)  # Keep enabled for bright appearance
+                    button.update_state([Gtk.AccessibleState.DISABLED], [False])
                 else:
                     # Pending step - inactive
                     button.add_css_class("step-pending")
                     button.set_sensitive(False)
+                    button.update_state([Gtk.AccessibleState.DISABLED], [True])
 
     def _add_language_view(self):
         view = LanguageView()
@@ -513,6 +557,14 @@ def _on_simple_theme_selected(self, view, theme):
             logger.error(f"ERROR in _on_simple_theme_selected: {e}", exc_info=True)
 
     def _on_key_press_event(self, controller, keyval, keycode, state):
+        # Super+Alt+S: start ORCA screen reader (standard GNOME shortcut)
+        if (
+            keyval == Gdk.KEY_s
+            and state & Gdk.ModifierType.SUPER_MASK
+            and state & Gdk.ModifierType.ALT_MASK
+        ):
+            start_orca()
+            return True
         current_view = self.stack.get_visible_child()
         if isinstance(current_view, LanguageView):
             return current_view.handle_global_key_press(keyval)

biglinux-livecd/usr/share/biglinux/livecd/ui/base_view.py

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 from gi.repository import Adw, Gdk, GLib, GObject, Gtk
 from services import SystemService
 from translations import _
+from accessibility import announce
 from logging_config import get_logger
 
 logger = get_logger()
@@ -80,6 +81,9 @@ def _build_ui(self):
         )
         self.flow_box.set_can_focus(True)
         self.flow_box.set_halign(Gtk.Align.CENTER)
+        self.flow_box.update_property(
+            [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.LABEL], [self.get_title()]
+        )
 
         self.flow_box.connect("child-activated", self._on_child_activated)
         self.flow_box.connect("activate-cursor-child", self._on_activate_cursor_child)
@@ -100,6 +104,10 @@ def _retranslate_ui(self):
         """Updates the view's title to the current language."""
         if hasattr(self, "title_label"):
             self.title_label.set_label(self.get_title())
+        if hasattr(self, "flow_box"):
+            self.flow_box.update_property(
+                [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.LABEL], [self.get_title()]
+            )
 
     def load_items(self):
         items = self.get_items()

biglinux-livecd/usr/share/biglinux/livecd/ui/desktop_view.py

@@ -41,6 +41,11 @@ def create_item_gobject(self, name: str) -> GObject.Object:
     def create_item_widget(self, item: DesktopListItem):
         box = Gtk.Box(orientation=Gtk.Orientation.VERTICAL, spacing=6)
         box.set_can_focus(True)
+        # Accessible description for screen readers
+        box.update_property(
+            [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.LABEL],
+            [_("Desktop Layout") + ": " + item.name],
+        )
         try:
             cursor = Gdk.Cursor.new_from_name("pointer", None)
             box.set_cursor(cursor)

biglinux-livecd/usr/share/biglinux/livecd/ui/keyboard_view.py

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 gi.require_version("Adw", "1")
 from gi.repository import Gtk, Adw, GObject, GLib, Gdk
 from translations import _
+from accessibility import announce
 import os
 
 ASSETS_DIR = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "assets"))
@@ -63,6 +64,10 @@ def _build_ui(self):
         )
         self.flow_box.set_can_focus(True)
         self.flow_box.set_halign(Gtk.Align.CENTER)
+        self.flow_box.update_property(
+            [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.LABEL],
+            [_("Choose Your Keyboard Layout")],
+        )
 
         # Connect to FlowBox-level signals
         self.flow_box.connect("child-activated", self._on_child_activated)

biglinux-livecd/usr/share/biglinux/livecd/ui/language_view.py

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 from urllib.parse import parse_qs, urlparse
 from translations import _
 from config import LanguageSelection
+from accessibility import announce
 from logging_config import get_logger
 import os
 
@@ -95,6 +96,10 @@ def _build_ui(self):
             max_columns=3,
             min_columns=3,
         )
+        self.grid_view.update_property(
+            [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.LABEL],
+            [_("Search for a language...")],
+        )
         self.grid_view.connect("activate", self._on_grid_view_activate)
         grid_clamp.set_child(self.grid_view)
 
@@ -157,6 +162,9 @@ def _on_search_changed(self, entry):
     def _trigger_filter_update(self):
         self.filter.changed(Gtk.FilterChange.DIFFERENT)
         GLib.idle_add(self._select_first_item_after_filter)
+        # Announce results count for screen readers
+        count = self.filter_model.get_n_items()
+        GLib.idle_add(lambda c=count: announce(self, _("%d results") % c))
         self.filter_timeout_id = 0
         return GLib.SOURCE_REMOVE
 

biglinux-livecd/usr/share/biglinux/livecd/ui/theme_view.py

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 from logging_config import get_logger
 from services import SystemService
 from translations import _
+from accessibility import announce
 from ui.base_view import BaseItemView
 
 logger = get_logger()
@@ -133,11 +134,24 @@ def _retranslate_ui(self):
     def _create_jamesdsp_card(self, parent_box):
         audio_card = Gtk.Box(css_classes=["settings-card"])
         audio_card.set_focusable(True)
+        audio_card.update_property(
+            [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.LABEL, Gtk.AccessibleProperty.DESCRIPTION],
+            [
+                _("JamesDSP Audio"),
+                _("Enable audio improvements")
+                + " — "
+                + _("press Enter or Space to toggle"),
+            ],
+        )
         try:
             cursor = Gdk.Cursor.new_from_name("pointer", None)
             audio_card.set_cursor(cursor)
         except Exception:
             pass
+        # Keyboard activation: Enter / Space toggles switch
+        card_key_ctl = Gtk.EventControllerKey.new()
+        card_key_ctl.connect("key-pressed", self._on_settings_card_key, None)
+        audio_card.add_controller(card_key_ctl)
         parent_box.append(audio_card)
 
         content = Gtk.Box(orientation=Gtk.Orientation.HORIZONTAL, spacing=15)
@@ -180,11 +194,24 @@ def _create_jamesdsp_card(self, parent_box):
     def _create_contrast_card(self, parent_box):
         contrast_card = Gtk.Box(css_classes=["settings-card"])
         contrast_card.set_focusable(True)
+        contrast_card.update_property(
+            [Gtk.AccessibleProperty.LABEL, Gtk.AccessibleProperty.DESCRIPTION],
+            [
+                _("Image quality"),
+                _("Enable enhanced contrast")
+                + " — "
+                + _("press Enter or Space to toggle"),
+            ],
+        )
         try:
             cursor = Gdk.Cursor.new_from_name("pointer", None)
             contrast_card.set_cursor(cursor)
         except Exception:
             pass
+        # Keyboard activation: Enter / Space toggles switch
+        card_key_ctl = Gtk.EventControllerKey.new()
+        card_key_ctl.connect("key-pressed", self._on_settings_card_key, None)
+        contrast_card.add_controller(card_key_ctl)
         parent_box.append(contrast_card)
 
         content = Gtk.Box(orientation=Gtk.Orientation.HORIZONTAL, spacing=15)
@@ -230,6 +257,36 @@ def _on_settings_card_clicked(self, gesture, n_press, x, y, switch):
         if n_press == 1:
             switch.set_active(not switch.get_active())
 
+    def _on_settings_card_key(self, controller, keyval, keycode, state, _data):
+        """Toggle the switch inside a settings card via Enter or Space."""
+        if keyval in (Gdk.KEY_Return, Gdk.KEY_KP_Enter, Gdk.KEY_space):
+            card = controller.get_widget()
+            # Find the Gtk.Switch inside the card
+            child = card.get_first_child()
+            while child:
+                if isinstance(child, Gtk.Switch):
+                    child.set_active(not child.get_active())
+                    state_msg = _("enabled") if child.get_active() else _("disabled")
+                    announce(self, state_msg)
+                    return True
+                # Search inside nested containers
+                inner = (
+                    child.get_first_child()
+                    if hasattr(child, "get_first_child")
+                    else None
+                )
+                while inner:
+                    if isinstance(inner, Gtk.Switch):
+                        inner.set_active(not inner.get_active())
+                        state_msg = (
+                            _("enabled") if inner.get_active() else _("disabled")
+                        )
+                        announce(self, state_msg)
+                        return True
+                    inner = inner.get_next_sibling()
+                child = child.get_next_sibling()
+        return False
+
     # --- Implementation of BaseItemView abstract methods ---
 
     def get_title(self) -> str: