It is not possible to assign keyboard shortcuts to switch keyboard layouts when using the Ukrainian interface language

[Maksym Bilak]

When using the Ukrainian interface language, it is not possible to assign a keyboard shortcut for switching between keyboard layouts.

Environment: Ubuntu-MATE-18.04.1 with latest updates; Ukrainian interface language; Assistive technologies are enabled because the Orca screen reader is used.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Press the ALT + F1 key combination to enter the main menu;

2. Submenu System (Система);

3. Submenu Preferences (Параметри);

4. Submenu Hardware (Обладнання);

5. Activate the item Keyboard (Набірниця);

6. Select a tab Layouts (Розкладки);

7. Press the button Options... (Параметри...).

When you click this button, the keyboard setup utility closes and the focus falls onto the desktop. As a result, the user can not configure the keyboard shortcuts to switch between keyboard layouts.
There is also information that this problem exists even when using the Russian interface language.
It should also be noted that this problem is missing when using the English interface language.
For blind users who have just started using Ubuntu-MATE, everything is complicated by the fact that it is not possible to change the interface language using the keyboard. That is, to change the language of the interface in English, to configure the keyboard shortcuts to switch between the keyboard layouts, and then return back, for example, to Ukrainian is quite difficult, especially for the novice user.

I would be very grateful for solving this problem.

[Maksym Bilak (bmivzkrp-deactivatedaccount)]

It has emerged that this problem is related to MATE, and is accordingly observed in all distributions that include MATE. I created a bug on Github:

https://github.com/mate-desktop/libmatekbd/issues/55

If possible - please fix this problem for 20.04.

[Igor Zubarev (igor.zubarev)]

For Ukrainian and Russian fix released and sent to upstream.
See https://github.com/mate-desktop/libmatekbd/issues/55

Bug may be close.

[Maksym Bilak (bmivzkrp-deactivatedaccount)]

I agree that the bug can be considered closed. But there are two questions:

1. Will this update get to Ubuntu 20.04?

2. Will this update be part of the Ubuntu 20.04.1 ISO image?

I will be very grateful for the information.

[Maksym Bilak (bmivzkrp-deactivatedaccount)]

I m sorry. I forgot that full support for the Ukrainian language is not part of ISO.

[Maksym Bilak (bmivzkrp-deactivatedaccount)]

So - the problem is solved, and the fix will get to Focal:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/language-pack-uk/+bug/1875020