Accessible Distros for a beginner?

[Linux for blind general discussion]

Hi,
I am new to this mailinglist and new to Linux. I have been using Windows for 
years but now I want to switch into a free open source software Linux 
environment. After quite a while of research, I am finding plenty of general 
information on Distros by sighted Linux users, but not a lot of current info 
from blind Linux users. So I'm sending this in hopes to get some input from any 
blind Linux users, as to what you might suggest as an accessible Distro for a 
beginner, especially if it is something other than standard Ubuntu.
 I am particularly interested in Slint, Parabola, Devuan, or Trisquel. I know 
Slint was created for blind Linux users so I assume that it must be quite 
accessible, but I don't know if it is intended more for advanced users, or if 
any of you started out with Slint as a beginner? I am interested in the other 
Distros I listed, but I don't know how accessible they are. Do any of you know 
if those Distros have Orca speaking during the installation?
Do any of you have experience with Slint, Parabola, Devuan, or Trisquel? Would 
you recommend either of them as a start out Distro for a beginner? Or do you 
use a different Distro that you could suggest?
 I know that picking a Distro is a personal choice and apparently Distros can 
have varying degrees of accessibility features according to how they are 
configured. But my understanding is that some Distros are more accessible out 
of the box so to speak than others.
I know that standard Ubuntu is often recommended for beginners for its ease of 
use, at least, it seems to be a popular recommendation amongst sighted Linux 
users, I don't know if that is also the case with blind Linux users. I respect 
those who prefer Ubuntu, however, I am not comfortable with the corporate 
connection to Canonical. I am only interested in Distros with a strong focus on 
freedom of open source software with no corporate affiliations. 
I am looking for a simplistic and streamline Distro. 
All I want is a Distro that will run Firefox, LibreOffice, Python 3, a text 
editor, and a file manager. If I can find a Distro that will run those things 
and is at least somewhat beginner friendly, I'll be set.
I'll be keeping my Windows laptop and buying a separate laptop with hardware 
that is compatible with whatever Distro I choose, so that I can switch over to 
Linux incrementally at my pace. So I am not interested in dual boot or VM. I am 
determined to learn Linux, even if the first Distro doesn't work out so well 
for me, then I will try another one. So to me, it is worth having a dedicated 
laptop.
I've been in contact with a laptop organization specializing in Linux 
compatible hardware setups, and they will install a Distro of my choice, making 
sure the accessibility features are enabled. I can learn how to do 
installations independently once I gain the experience and skills over time. 
But for now I just want to start somewhere, with something that is as 
accessible as possible out of the box and they can install it for me the first 
time around.
 From what I have read online, there is often a steep learning curve when 
adjusting from a Windows environment to a Linux environment. Whereas Windows 
just comes with most software preconfigured out of the box, Linux is 
customizable so some beginners can have a hard time adjusting to it. So I am 
not expecting Linux to just instantly work one hundred percent seamlessly, 
especially when adding accessibility features into the equation. There will 
probably be some challenges along the way. But it seems that some Distros are 
more streamline, minimalistic, and beginner friendly than others. I just don't 
want to unknowingly pick the most daunting Distro that Linux has to offer lol. 
 I want something where the installation package and boot process is accessible 
so that when I patch it in the future, or ever need to do a reinstall, I will 
be able to do that independently.
I want something where Orca speaks consistently in essential apps like Firefox, 
and also has good braille output as I will eventually connect it to a braille 
display at some point.
Do any of you use Slint, Parabola, Devuan, or Trisquel?
Perhaps you prefer other Distros that I havn't heard of yet. I am open to all 
suggestions for anything other than standard Ubuntu.
Thanks in advance for any info you could share with a beginner looking for a 
Distro with an accessible install and boot process.
Regards,
SL
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