# Orca

> Screenreader; accessibility software

**Wikidata**: [Q1486012](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1486012)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orca_(assistive_technology))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/orca

## Summary
Orca is a free and open-source screen reader designed to assist users with visual impairments by converting text and images into speech or Braille. It is part of the GNOME accessibility suite and operates on Unix-like operating systems, making it a critical tool for accessibility in Linux and other open-source environments.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Screen reader and accessibility software.
- **License**: Distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), allowing integration with proprietary software.
- **Programming Language**: Written in Python.
- **Operating System**: Runs on Unix-like operating systems.
- **Versions**: Notable releases include 3.26.0 (2017), 3.28.0 (2018), 3.32.0 (2019), 41.0 (2021), 44.1 (2023), and 48.1 (2025).
- **Website**: Official documentation available at [https://help.gnome.org/users/orca/stable/](https://help.gnome.org/users/orca/stable/).
- **Source Code**: Hosted on GitLab ([https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/orca.git](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/orca.git)) and GitHub ([https://github.com/GNOME/orca](https://github.com/GNOME/orca)).
- **Packages**: Available in various Linux distributions, including Fedora (`orca`), Debian (`gnome-orca`), Ubuntu (`gnome-orca`), and Arch Linux (`orca`).
- **Related Entities**: Part of the GNOME project, classified as free software and accessibility software.

## FAQs
**What is Orca used for?**
Orca is a screen reader that converts text and images into speech or Braille, enabling users with visual impairments to interact with digital content on Unix-like operating systems.

**What programming language is Orca written in?**
Orca is written in Python, a general-purpose programming language known for its readability and versatility.

**Is Orca free to use?**
Yes, Orca is free software distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), allowing users to run, study, modify, and distribute it freely.

**Which operating systems support Orca?**
Orca is designed for Unix-like operating systems, including Linux distributions such as Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, and Arch Linux.

**Where can I find the source code for Orca?**
The source code for Orca is available on GitLab ([https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/orca.git](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/orca.git)) and GitHub ([https://github.com/GNOME/orca](https://github.com/GNOME/orca)).

## Why It Matters
Orca plays a crucial role in making digital content accessible to users with visual impairments, particularly in open-source environments. By providing a free and customizable screen reader, Orca empowers users to navigate and interact with computers independently, bridging the accessibility gap in Unix-like systems. Its integration with the GNOME desktop environment further enhances its utility, making it a cornerstone of accessibility software in the Linux ecosystem.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source Accessibility**: One of the few free and open-source screen readers available for Unix-like systems.
- **GNOME Integration**: Seamlessly integrates with the GNOME desktop environment, enhancing accessibility for Linux users.
- **Extensive Version History**: Regular updates and releases, with versions dating back to 2012 and continuing to the present.
- **Multi-Language Support**: Documentation and support available in multiple languages, including English, French, German, and Spanish.
- **Community-Driven Development**: Actively maintained by the GNOME community, ensuring continuous improvement and support.

## Body
### Overview
Orca is a screen reader and accessibility software designed to assist users with visual impairments. It converts text and images into speech or Braille, enabling users to interact with digital content on Unix-like operating systems. Orca is part of the GNOME accessibility suite and is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), making it free to use, modify, and distribute.

### History and Development
Orca has a rich history of development, with its first recorded version (3.7.0.93) released on October 16, 2012. Since then, it has undergone numerous updates and improvements, with notable releases including:
- **3.26.0** (September 15, 2017)
- **3.28.0** (March 26, 2018)
- **3.32.0** (March 13, 2019)
- **41.0** (September 16, 2021)
- **44.1** (May 25, 2023)
- **48.1** (May 1, 2025)

### Technical Details
- **Programming Language**: Orca is written in Python, a widely-used programming language known for its simplicity and readability.
- **Operating System**: Orca is designed to run on Unix-like operating systems, including various Linux distributions.
- **License**: Orca is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), which allows it to be used in proprietary software.

### Distribution and Availability
Orca is available in various Linux distributions, including:
- **Fedora**: Package name `orca`
- **Debian**: Package name `gnome-orca`
- **Ubuntu**: Package name `gnome-orca`
- **Arch Linux**: Package name `orca`
- **FreeBSD**: Port name `accessibility/orca`
- **OpenBSD**: Port name `x11/gnome/orca`
- **NetBSD**: Package ID `misc/orca`

### Documentation and Support
Orca's official documentation is available in multiple languages, including English and French. The primary documentation site is [https://help.gnome.org/users/orca/stable/](https://help.gnome.org/users/orca/stable/). Additionally, Orca has a presence on various wikis and community forums, including the Debian wiki and the GNOME accessibility community.

### Source Code and Development
The source code for Orca is hosted on GitLab ([https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/orca.git](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/orca.git)) and GitHub ([https://github.com/GNOME/orca](https://github.com/GNOME/orca)). This allows for community contributions and continuous development. Orca is actively maintained by the GNOME community, ensuring regular updates and improvements.

### Related Projects and Entities
Orca is part of the broader GNOME accessibility suite, which includes various tools and applications designed to enhance accessibility for users with disabilities. It is classified as both free software and accessibility software, aligning with the principles of open-source development and inclusivity.

### Community and Impact
Orca has a significant impact on the accessibility landscape, particularly in the open-source community. By providing a free and customizable screen reader, Orca empowers users with visual impairments to navigate and interact with digital content independently. Its integration with the GNOME desktop environment further enhances its utility, making it a cornerstone of accessibility software in the Linux ecosystem. The active community support and regular updates ensure that Orca remains a reliable and effective tool for accessibility.

## References

1. [COPYING](https://git.gnome.org/browse/orca/tree/COPYING)
2. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/orca/tags/ORCA_3_26_0)
3. [Release 3.26.0. 2017](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_26_0)
4. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/orca/tags/ORCA_3_28_0)
5. [Release 3.28.0. 2018](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_28_0)
6. [Release 3.7.0.93. 2012](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_0_93)
7. [Release 3.7.0.94. 2012](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_0_94)
8. [Release 3.7.0.95. 2012](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_0_95)
9. [Release 3.7.0.100. 2012](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_0_100)
10. [Release 3.7.1. 2012](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_1)
11. [Release 3.7.2. 2012](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_2)
12. [Release 3.7.3. 2012](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_3)
13. [Release 3.7.5. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_5)
14. [Release 3.7.90. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_90)
15. [Release 3.7.91. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_91)
16. [Release 3.7.92. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_7_92)
17. [Release 3.8.0. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_8_0)
18. [Release 3.8.1. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_8_1)
19. [Release 3.8.2. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_8_2)
20. [Release 3.9.2. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_9_2)
21. [Release 3.9.3. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_9_3)
22. [Release 3.9.4. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_9_4)
23. [Release 3.9.5. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_9_5)
24. [Release 3.9.90. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_9_90)
25. [Release 3.9.91. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_9_91)
26. [Release 3.9.92. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_9_92)
27. [Release 3.10.0. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_10_0)
28. [Release 3.10.1. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_10_1)
29. [Release 3.10.2. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_10_2)
30. [Release 3.10.3. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_10_3)
31. [Release 3.11.2. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_11_2)
32. [Release 3.11.3. 2013](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_11_3)
33. [Release 3.11.4. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_11_4)
34. [Release 3.11.5. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_11_5)
35. [Release 3.11.5.1. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_11_5_1)
36. [Release 3.11.90. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_11_90)
37. [Release 3.11.91. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_11_91)
38. [Release 3.11.92. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_11_92)
39. [Release 3.12.0. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_12_0)
40. [Release 3.12.1. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_12_1)
41. [Release 3.12.2. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_12_2)
42. [Release 3.12.3. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_12_3)
43. [Release 3.13.1. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_13_1)
44. [Release 3.13.3. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_13_3)
45. [Release 3.13.90. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_13_90)
46. [Release 3.13.91. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_13_91)
47. [Release 3.13.92. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_13_92)
48. [Release 3.14.0. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_14_0)
49. [Release 3.14.2. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_14_2)
50. [Release 3.14.3. 2014](https://github.com/GNOME/orca/releases/tag/ORCA_3_14_3)