FYI Linux, I hear (no experience), has support for blind users, e.g. connecting a braille display and its voice recognition (I also guess) must be adequate too. Making a voice interface to your project must be feasible.

Options (1), (2) (I have no experience with microcontrollers) are valid depending on where you want to end up, i.e. how far to expand it. This can easily turn into a useful product with lots of capabilities unless re-inventing the wheel.

SSH, i.e .accessing the remote unit (uncle's) from your home (re:not sure yet how to access the remote unit): hmm you need to sort out uncle's IP somehow as ISPs tend to arbitrarily change it for home users. The problem is solved if the unit (uncle) accesses your servers (the website you have) to download script+data updates once a day - i think this is what you are suggesting. But then you must make sure that this works perfectly as you will be away. You can always install a back-door, it seems now-a-days it's a requirement in order to be MI5-certified :) There are various techniques to enable incoming SSH with minimal risk. But the risk is there none-the-less.