[libreoffice-accessibility] Re: Accessibility feedback and technical UX challenges in LibreOffice Dear Michael,

*Subject:* Re: Accessibility feedback and technical UX challenges in
LibreOffice

Dear Michael,

Thank you for your detailed response and the helpful tip regarding docking
toolbars via Ctrl + double click. However, I would like to clarify a few
points where my initial suggestions may have been misunderstood, and add
some critical insights from my ongoing usage.

*1. Toolbar Customization vs. Docking (Clarification)*
My concern is not about whether a toolbar is floating or docked, but rather
about the *process of customizing* it. Currently, to add or remove a
button, a user must navigate the complex "Tools -> Customization" menu.
This window requires high visual acuity and precise mouse control. For a
user with limb spasticity or low vision, handling this dialog is a major
barrier.
I am suggesting a permanent, easily accessible, and high-visibility
shortcut (such as a large right-click context menu or a prominent drop-down
arrow) *directly on the docked toolbar itself*, which allows
adding/removing buttons without triggering overwhelming configuration
windows.

*2. Application-Specific Scaling vs. OS Scaling (Clarification)*
While OS-level scaling works globally, it often breaks other legacy
applications or creates visual chaos across the OS. The open-source
philosophy supports application autonomy. A major suite like LibreOffice
should have a robust, internal, and independent percentage-based UI scaling
factor that does not rely on Windows, ensuring a stable environment
regardless of OS settings.

*3. New Technical UX Issues & The Need for Safe Defaults:*
During my daily use of LibreOffice Writer, I have identified four
additional issues where the lack of accessible default settings forces the
user to constantly act as a technical troubleshooter.

*To be clear, these features do not need to be removed from the software
entirely; they just need to be **disabled by default**, allowing users who
actually want them to enable them manually:*

   -

   *Settings Reset After Updates:* After software updates, LibreOffice
   frequently resets user configurations. For example, the prompt warning
   users about saving in Microsoft Word (.docx) formats instead of ODF
   reappears, and native Windows save dialogs switch back to LibreOffice
   dialogs (which sometimes appear completely blank/empty). Updates should
   strictly preserve all accessibility and environmental settings under any
   circumstances.
   -

   *Auto-Save & Duplicate File Confusion:* The default background save
   function (every 10 seconds) often creates temporary or duplicate-looking
   files on the screen. For a low-vision user, this causes immediate visual
   disorientation. This feature should be turned off by default.
   -

   *Smart Default File Naming (Live Example):* When saving a document,
   LibreOffice does not automatically suggest the first line of text as the
   filename. Forcing a disabled user to manually type out a filename every
   time is an unnecessary physical strain. *Just now, during my dictation
   session, I attempted a manual "Save As" and LibreOffice automatically
   suggested the generic number "1" as the filename instead of pulling text
   from the document.* Suggesting the first line as a default filename
   should be a built-in accessibility feature.

I firmly believe that accessibility is not just about big fonts, but about
ensuring that software defaults and updates do not disrupt the user's
established layout and workflow.

Best regards,
Evangelos Vagias

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