Mind_Reader

The current editor options available lack the level of accessibility that is required to allow people who are visually impaired to adequately write, edit, and debug code.

This tool extends Visual Studio Code’s existing accessibility options to enable people with a visual impairment to learn Python programming with LEGO Mindstorms. Our goal is to:

• provide an accessible experience to people with a visual impairment

• not change the editing workflow for people without a visual impairment

Major Features

• Compatibility with major screen readers:

  • NVDA
  • JAWS
  • Apple VoiceOver

• Play audio alerts for syntax and runtime errors.

• Present a summary of the scope for an individual line of code.

• Save and load programs directly onto the LEGO Hub from within Visual Studio Code

Dependencies

• Git
• Node.js

NOTE: While installing Node.js, there will be a section titled "Tools for Native Modules". Make sure that 'Automatically install the necessary tools' is checked:

If the compiled serial port version is incompatible, you may see no options presented in the Mind_Reader actions panel:

In this case, you will also need to rebuild the serial port component with electron-rebuild. This is a one-time setup for each version of Visual Studio Code. You may need to repeat this process if you update your version of Visual Studio Code.

Installing electron-rebuild

Use Git Bash on Windows, and the terminal on MacOS/Linux. These steps will refer to this as 'the terminal'

1 Install the electron-rebuild tool

In the terminal install electron rebuild with npm that is included with Node.js:

$ npm install -g electron-rebuild

2 Finding your electron version

On MacOS, go to Code > About Visual Studio Code.

On Windows and Linux, go to Help > About.

The electron version should be listed, e.g.: Electron: 13.5.2

3 Finding the Mind_Reader extension directory

On MacOS and Linux this is ~/.vscode/extensions.

On Windows this is C:\<YOUR USER>\.vscode\extensions\. However, in Git Bash, it will appear like on MacOS and Linux e.g.: ~/.vscode/extensions.

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Find the Mind_Reader extension folder, this should look like xxx.mind-reader-x.x.x.

Navigate to the found folder in the terminal.

$ cd ~/.vscode/extensions/<mind_reader_folder>

4 Running electron-rebuild

Then, run electron-rebuild with ELECTRON_VERSION replaced with the electron version found in step 2:

$ electron-rebuild --version=ELECTRON_VERSION

For Developers

Development Quick Start

Use the following to set up the extension for development.

$ git clone https://github.com/SingleSemesterSnobs/Mind_Reader.git
$ cd Mind_Reader
$ npm install

While inside the repository do

$ code .

to open the cloned repository in VS Code.

Then, use "Run > Start Debugging" on the menu bar to start the Extension Development Host (F5 by default).

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See the Visual Studio Code getting started API page if you need more help.