Creating and Using Accessible Mathematical Content

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Creating and Using Accessible Mathematical Content
http//www.accessiblemath.org/ Gaeir Dietrich
gdietrich_at_htctu.net Steve Jacobs
steve.jacobs_at_IDEAL-GROUP.ORG Steve Noble
steve.noble_at_louisville.edu
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INTRODUCTIONThe Learning Relationship
Instructor
Instructional Pathway
Assessment Pathway
Student
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Instructional PathwaysCommon Forms
Instructor
Classroom Instruction
Textbook
Website CMS
Study Sheets
Student
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Instructional PathwaysCommon Problems for Math

• Text Books common OCR applications ignore math
  publisher PDFs use images
• Study Sheets similar issues to textbooks
  sometimes also handwritten
• Web sites and CMS math equations on the web
  typically are images
• Classroom Instruction how to take accessible
  math notes? math verbalization not standard

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Assessment PathwaysCommon Forms
Student
Online Activities
Tests Quizzes
Homework
Papers
Instructor
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Assessment PathwaysCommon Problems for Math

• Tests Quizzes special treatment needed for AT
  to work students with handwriting issues
• Papers problem of accessible entry of math
  equation in word processing applications
• Homework problem of sighted teachers and blind
  students being able to use same formats
• Online Activities how to put accessible math
  equations on the web web based math editors?

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Instructional PathwaysCommon Solutions for Math
Math Textbook
Hard Copy Braille
E-text Synthetic Speech
RFBD Recorded
E-text Braille Display
Student
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inftyreader.org

• InftyReader
• Math OCR software
• Data conversion
• InftyEditor
• Editor of math documents
• ChattyInfty
• InftyEditor speech output
• Authoring and editing tool of math documents for
  visually impaired users

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creation
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www.dessci.com/mathtype MathType

• Commonly used mainstream WYSIWYG math editor
• Works well as math handwriting accommodation
• Provides for GUI, keyboard or LaTeX math entry
• Exports and imports MathML or LaTeX
• Can be used with DBT or Tiger to create Nemeth
  braille
• Issue Not a natively accessible editor with JAWS
• Issue Equations in Word documents must be
  exported for use with synthetic speech or braille

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www.dessci.com/mathplayer MathPlayer

• Commonly used mainstream add-on for IE
• Allows web pages or local files containing MathML
  equations to be displayed in IE
• Acts as a transparent accessibility linkage
  between IE and assistive technologies
• After installation requires no user intervention
• Works with many AT applications JAWS,
  WindowEyes, TextHelp RW or BA, Serotek

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www.dessci.com/mathdaisy MathDaisy

• Requires MS Word, MS Save As DAISY add-in, and
  MathType.
• Adds "Save As DAISY" to Word's File menu
• Saves document as a DAISY Digital Talking Book
  with MathML equations

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Braille

• All braille uses the same 63 symbols
• Context gives meaning
• Seven braille codes
• Each code is slightly different
• Uncontracted braille
• Contracted braille
• Nemeth math braille
• CBC (computer braille code)

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Bottom Line

• Not all students who read braille read Nemeth
  math braille
• Be sure to ask!
• Reality check If the student does not know
  Nemeth, s/he is unlikely to learn it just to take
  a math class.

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Nemeth Braille Example

• Numbers
• 1234567890
• 1234567890
• Symbols
• x² 2x 2 10
• x2"2x2 .k 10

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Creating Math Braille

• Use MS Word with MathType
• Or use Scientific Notebook
• Use MathType to create equations
• Use styles in MS Word
• Body text, normal
• Headings 1-3
• List, list bullet, list number
• Index

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Reality Check

• Nemeth created with MathType (or Scientific
  Notebook) may have significant errors
• Have the book done by a Nemeth transcriber
• Try doing handouts in-house
• Check with your student to make sure the braille
  is acceptable

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Nemeth Braille Resources

• American Printing House for the Blind hosts the
  Louis Database
• Anyone can search for Braille materials
• www.aph.org
• ATPC
• Sell Braille to all systems
• www.atpc.net
• Hadley School for the Blind
• Free courses
• www.hadley-school.org/Web_Site/2_b_ae_and_hs_prog
  ram.asp

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Scientific Calculator

• Orion TI-36X
• Hand-held, talks
• American Printing House for the Blind
  www.aph.org
• MaxiAidswww.maxiaids.com

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Other Calculators

• www.maxiaids.com
• Search on calculator
• www.softpedia.com
• Software, simple talking calculator, free
• www.readingmadeez.com
• Talking calculator for Windows and Mac
• www.r-project.org
• Accessible stats calculator

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Software Calculator

• Audio Graphing Calculator
• Computer software, talks
• ViewPlus Technology www.viewplus.com
• Note Graphs can be printed on Tiger Embosser or
  to PIAF paper

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MathTrax

• Free from NASA
• http//learn.arc.nasa.gov/mathtrax/index.html

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Web Resource

• www.accessiblemath.org