I happen to be blind, myself (challenges of both the speech interface
and Microsoft Outlook make top posting much easier for me). I do not
have experience with Ruby on Linux, just Windows. In case feedback
about this platform is also of interest, I have found that the available
IDE’s for programming in Ruby do not work well with a screen reader such
as JAWS (the one I use).
Programming is practical, however, with a text editor like TextPad or
NoteTab. In fact, I have personally developed a text editor called
TextPal, using the Ruby language and wrappers for the WxWidgets GUI
library (which produces accessible controls unlike other cross-platform
libraries). It is fully keyboard accessible and offers almost every
feature I’ve found in a text editor (I compared many), and does so in a
manner intended to maximize usability by blind persons.
For anyone interested, the installer for TextPal, a free, open source
editor is available at the following direct download address:
http://www.EmpowermentZone.com/palsetup.exe
It may be easily uninstalled as well.
Under Windows, Ruby console mode utilities work well with a screen
reader. These include irb, ri, and gem.
Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further questions either publicly or
privately.
Jamal