speakup - boot on squeeze

[Whit Hansell]

Hey folks,
Have a friend who is legally blind and wants to get into Debian Squeeze
and am trying to help.  I have an extra IDE HD that I have set up w.
Squeeze 6.0.5 i386 and it boots into text w. GUI available using
startx.  What I am needing to do now is to set up the drive so that her
dectalk synthesizer fires up immediately at boot as I know you all
understand.

I see that Squeeze has the speakup modules for the synthesizer already. 
I am confused as to whether or not speakup (the program itself) is or
needs to be compiled into the kernel (2.6.32-5) and whatever other
measures I need to take to have it all set up for her when she boots up.

Also how is espeak used and is it needed in this regard.  Again, I have
no experience in this regard so need ALL the instruction you can give. 
<Grin> And speak slowly because I'm kinda 'dumb on this.  <endGrin>  smiles

I have been a linux user for about 10 years and am currently using
Wheezy personally, but have never attempted to set up a piece of
equipment which I have no access to and needing to have it work right
out of the box with no problems as it is being shipped pre-set up to
someone who does not know linux.  She does know DOS and is now using it
but it will be pretty tough to troubleshoot long distance.

Any help will be very much appreciated.
Additionally this person will not be able to do upgrades/updates except
occasionally, from the depositories as she is on a dialup only at this
time.  She tells me that will hopefully change in the future but she is
not sure when.

Again, thanks for your help in advance and please bear with me as my
experience is very limited in this area.

Regards,
Whit Hansell, Jacksonville, Fl