Creation of Accessible Mathematic Equations

MathML 

MathML displays mathematical and scientific content on the web. It is an application of XML that is supported by many browsers needing only a text editor, though this program has many tools available to help.  This program was developed by the World Wide Web Consortium, an international community that works to develop Web standards.  The homepage for MathML where guides, tools, and information for MathML can be found at https://www.w3.org/Math/.

LaTeX 

LaTeX is a document preparation system for high-quality typesetting with features that let the user make advanced typesetting of mathematics with AMS-LaTeX and typesetting of complex mathematical formulas. The homepage for LaTeX where guides, tools, and information for LaTeX can be found at https://latex-project.org/.

Resources 

Tools: 

• MathType Equation Editor is an equation editor for Windows and Macintosh (http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype/).

• jsMath is a system for embedding mathematics in web pages that uses TeX form (https://www.math.hmc.edu/computing/support/websites/)

• The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (RERC) provides information and a link about IDEAL Group Reader, an accessible eBook reader supported by MathML (http://wirelessrercarchive.gatech.edu/content/projects/ideal-group-reader).

• IDEAL Group Reader Mathwriting recognition feature is an addition to the RERC's IDEAL Group Reader app for Android and converts handwritten math equations into LaTeX and MathML. (http://wirelessrercarchive.gatech.edu/node/205). 

How-To’s: 

• The CSUN Universal Design Center webpage on math accessibility gives tips, information, examples, and resources about MathML and MathJax. (https://www.csun.edu/universal-design-center/math-accessibility).

• The National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) created a document called Accessible Digital Media Guidelines that features a section to “provide access to scientific and mathematical expressions for all users with disabilities.” (http://ncamftp.wgbh.org/ncam-old-site/invent_build/web_multimedia/accessible-digital-media-guide/guideline-h-multimedia.html).

• A Stanford resource offers guidance and examples on how to make Accessible MS Word Documents that features a Mathematical Content section about the MathType Equation Editor. (https://oae.stanford.edu/scribe/accessible-ms-word-docs).

• How can publishers create accessible math textbooks? is a page provided by UW’s DO-IT program and describes how the user can use MathML and LaTeX to create accessible math textbooks. (https://www.washington.edu/doit/how-can-publishers-create-accessible-math-textbooks).

• What are some techniques for creating Braille math materials? is a page that describes how Braille can be used in math and how MathML and LaTeX play an important part in this process, courtesy of UW’s DO-IT program. (https://www.washington.edu/doit/what-are-some-techniques-creating-braille-math-materials).

• A featured section on making math content through jsMath on Harvery Mudd’s guide on how to make a webpage active through their account. (https://www.math.hmc.edu/computing/support/websites/).

Related Articles: 

• STEM Access for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides an in-depth look at the problems still faced when including blind or visually impaired students in STEM written by Kartik Sawhney, a Stanford student. (http://stanford.edu/~kartiks2/stem-access.pdf).  

• NCAM’s resources for describing STEM images, DTB Standards, and National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAS) links. (http://ncamftp.wgbh.org/ncam-old-site/experience_learn/educational_media/stemdx/guidelines.html).