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Making Online Math More Accessible

It is now the possible to create online math equations that are more accessible for everyone including JAWS screen reader users. Though far from perfect, the process is not too complex-- there is no coding involved.

• MathType Software which has a MathML MathPage Export function

• MathPlayer 2.1 from Design Science -- text to voice browser plug-in software for math created with their MathType Software

How does MathType work?

• download and install 30 day free demo MathType Software or purchase $99 for educators

• type Microsoft Word document using equations from MathType Software

•  save the Word document and export to Math Page as MathML using "XHTML + MathML"

•  post resulting .XHT math document on Web server that can serve MathML documents -- this may sound easy, but this step can be quite challenging, especially on a Microsoft Windows based web server

• On client machine, download and install free MathPlayer browser plug-in

• See and hear the math using Internet Explorer

•   Mozilla FireFox may also work, but you may have to download the Mozilla MathML fonts

• download and install 30 day free demo MathType Software or purchase $99 for educators

• type Microsoft Word document using equations from MathType Software

• save the Word document and export to Math Page as MathML using "XHTML + MathML"

•  post resulting .XHT math document on Web server that can serve MathML documents -- this may sound easy, but this step can be quite challenging, especially on a Microsoft Windows based web server

• On client machine, download and install free MathPlayer browser plug-in

See and hear the math using Internet Explorer

Mozilla FireFox may also work, but you may have to download the Mozilla MathML fonts

More math accessibility links:

• MathSpeak from LiveMath, creates the necessary HTML/XML tags for visually-impaired and blind users to use their current screen-reading tools to read online math equations.

• What is MathML? from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

•  Making Educational Software and Web Sites Accessible
  Design Guidelines Including Math and Science Solutions from National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM), Media Access Group at WGBH in Boston

• Dr. Nemeth's MathSpeak
   

Here are some more developing technologies for creating accessible math:

•  Use Scientific Notebook version 5 or later to create XHTML with MATHML.

• Tools for Publishing LaTeX Documents on the Web by Julius O. Smith III of Stanford U. -- not specifically about creating accessible math, but completed LaTeX Documents can be exported as XHTML / MATHML so they can be read by JAWS and other screen readers

• use a text editor to create MATHML from scratch

• LaTeX to Triangle converter before saving in PDF LaTeX files can be converted for WinTriangle users.

• WinTriangle scientific word processor for people who are blind

Please realize that blind students will not be able to access math PDF documents. Alternative formats will be required for students who are blind. Please contact the Columbia College Disabled Students Programs and Services office for more information if you will be having a student who is blind in your math class.
 

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Page last updated 11/12/2008

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