ProGame Vocational

A VS Code extension designed to teach Python programming to visually-impaired students using NVDA screen reader, with support for English, Telugu (తెలుగు), and Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ).

✨ Features

• Learn-Practice-Quiz Pedagogy: Structured learning approach with three stages
• Multi-lingual Support: Learn in English, Telugu, or Kannada
• NVDA Screen Reader Optimized: Specially designed for NVDA compatibility
• Sequential Lesson Progress: Lessons unlock as you complete previous ones
• Code Validation: Built-in syntax and structure checking
• Accessible Quiz Interface: Screen reader-friendly multiple-choice questions
• Progress Sync: Your learning progress syncs across devices

🎯 Target Audience

This extension is specifically designed for:

• Visually-impaired students learning Python
• NVDA screen reader users
• Students who prefer learning in Telugu or Kannada
• Beginners in programming

📋 Requirements

Required Software

• VS Code: Version 1.107.0 or higher
• NVDA Screen Reader: Version 2023.1 or later (recommended)
• Python: Version 3.x for code execution

NVDA Language Support

For Telugu/Kannada support:

• eSpeak NG with Telugu language pack
• eSpeak NG with Kannada language pack
• Automatic language switching enabled in NVDA

🚀 Getting Started

1. Install the Extension

1. Open VS Code
2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
3. Search for "ProGame Vocational"
4. Click Install

2. Enable Screen Reader Mode

Critical for NVDA users!

The extension will prompt you to enable Screen Reader Mode when first activated. Click "Yes" and restart VS Code.

Or manually:

1. Open Settings (Ctrl+,)
2. Search for "accessibility support"
3. Set Editor: Accessibility Support to "on"
4. Restart VS Code

3. Sign Up or Log In

1. Press Ctrl+K then I to log in, or Ctrl+K Shift+I to sign up
2. Enter your license key when prompted (Ctrl+K then E after login)

4. Select Your Language

1. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P)
2. Run: ProGame Vocational: Select Language
3. Choose: English, Telugu, or Kannada

5. Start Learning

1. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P)
2. Run: ProGame Vocational: Next
3. Follow the Learn → Practice → Quiz workflow

📚 Available Commands

⚙️ Extension Settings

Accessibility Settings

Configure for optimal NVDA experience:

pythonTutor.accessibility.optionLabelFormat

Type: Dropdown Default: mixed Options:

• mixed - Latin letters with pause (A... విలువను నిల్వ చేస్తుంది)
• native - Native script prefixes (ఎ. విలువను నిల్వ చేస్తుంది)
• numeric - Numbers only (1. విలువను నిల్వ చేస్తుంది)
• paused - Explicit pause delimiter

Recommended:

• English: mixed
• Telugu: native
• Kannada: native

pythonTutor.accessibility.usePauseDelimiters

Type: Boolean Default: true Description: Add pauses between mixed scripts for better NVDA reading

pythonTutor.accessibility.announcementDelay

Type: Number (milliseconds) Default: 100 Range: 0-2000 Description: Delay before announcements to give NVDA processing time

pythonTutor.skipScreenReaderCheck

Type: Boolean Default: false Description: Skip the automatic screen reader mode check on startup

Example Configuration

Add to your settings.json:

{
  "editor.accessibilitySupport": "on",
  "pythonTutor.accessibility.optionLabelFormat": "native",
  "pythonTutor.accessibility.usePauseDelimiters": true,
  "pythonTutor.accessibility.announcementDelay": 150
}

🔧 Troubleshooting

NVDA Not Reading Text?

1. Check Screen Reader Mode:

   • Run: ProGame Vocational: Check NVDA Status
   • Ensure "Screen Reader Mode: ✓ Enabled"

2. Verify NVDA is Running:

   • Press NVDA+N to open NVDA menu
   • If no response, start NVDA

3. Test Basic VS Code Reading:

   • Open a text file
   • Type some text
   • Use arrow keys to navigate
   • NVDA should read each line

4. Enable NVDA Speech Viewer:

   • NVDA+N → Tools → Speech Viewer
   • See what NVDA is receiving

Common Issues

For detailed troubleshooting: See the NVDA_TROUBLESHOOTING.md file included with the extension.

📖 Learning Flow

1. Learn Stage

• Read lesson content about a Python concept
• Examples and explanations provided
• Press ProGame Vocational: Next when ready

2. Practice Stage

• Write Python code based on lesson
• Use ProGame Vocational: Check My Code (Hybrid) to validate
• Must pass validation to continue

3. Quiz Stage

• Answer multiple-choice questions
• Test understanding of the lesson
• Quiz must pass to unlock next lesson

🌍 Language Support

Supported Languages

• English (en): Full support
• Telugu (తెలుగు): Full support with native script
• Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ): Full support with native script

Language-Specific Features

• Lesson content translated
• Practice instructions translated
• Quiz questions in selected language
• Native script option labels for screen readers

📝 Lessons Included

1. Print Output - Learn to display text
2. Variables - Store and use values
3. Data Types - Numbers and text
4. Operators - Mathematical operations
5. Conditions - If statements
6. For Loop - Repeat with for
7. While Loop - Repeat with while

🛠️ Technical Details

Built With

• TypeScript
• VS Code Extension API
• Python for code execution
• Firebase for authentication and progress sync

Accessibility Features

• Custom QuickPick implementation for NVDA
• Status bar announcements
• Language boundary detection
• Configurable option formatting
• Enhanced information messages

📄 License

Proprietary — All rights reserved. NextSkills360.

📞 Support

Documentation

• See ACCESSIBILITY.md included with the extension
• See NVDA_TROUBLESHOOTING.md included with the extension

Contact

• Email: support@nextskills360.com

🙏 Acknowledgments

• NVDA community for accessibility insights
• Telugu and Kannada language contributors
• Visually-impaired beta testers

📚 Additional Resources

• VS Code Accessibility Documentation
• NVDA User Guide
• Python Official Tutorial

Version: 1.0.0 Last Updated: February 2026 Tested with: NVDA 2023.1, 2024.1 | VS Code 1.107.0+