1. Math Accessibility A Tour of Tools and Techniques
Presentation offered at AHEAD conference on July 21, 2017
By Portland Community College
Disability Services Director Kaela Parks
AHEAD Conference 2017

2. Learning Outcomes for this Session
Consider how properly structured math supports inclusive teaching and learning.
Apply an understanding of access technology and web accessibility to the challenge of online math.
Reflect on the way collaboration can ensure workflows produce properly structured math.
Gain familiarity with tools and techniques.
AHEAD Conference 2017

3. Important Message Workflows MUST ensure math is structured
Content prepared ahead of time should be fully accessible
Activities should be designed to work for AT users
Design should support equitable use
More than one way to get it done
Consider institutional culture – faculty production/adoption
Consider student preferences - need for mobile access
AHEAD Conference 2017
"Important Message" by Patrick Denker is licensed under CC BY 2.0

4. Math Accessibility - Workflows
If interactive websites are not accessible from the outset, it is very difficult to “fix” with accommodation
It is hard to ensure equivalent ease of use in a timely manner when the content is stored beyond a firewall
Shared path closed sign" by Orderinchaos is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
AHEAD Conference 2017

5. Math Accessibility - Workflows
Addressing accessibility proactively requires that we:
Know when/where accessible versions exist
Increase adoption of those accessible options
Work interactively and collaboratively with content publishers
AHEAD Conference 2017

6. What Works? - Math Support Finder
Options change rapidly – testers evaluate and report on usability
AHEAD Conference 2017

7. What Works? – Specific Title Testing
How do we collaborate to support faculty in adoption choices?
AHEAD Conference 2017

8. Accessible Math Online
Multiple authoring processes are available, for example:
Compiled from LaTeX (or PreTeXt)
Published from Word or Scientific Notebook
Converted through MathML Cloud
Need MathML for proper structure
Need MathJAX to render well in Browsers
May need MathPlayer to work well with AT
AHEAD Conference 2017

9. Key Terms & Tools - MathML
A specification for online mathematical and scientific content
Generated from other sources, not typically authored directly
AHEAD Conference 2017

10. Key Terms & Tools - MathJax
A JavaScript display engine that is highly modular and works in many browsers
Uses MathML, TeX or ASCiimath as input to produce HTML+CSS, SVG, MathML
AHEAD Conference 2017

11. Key Terms & Tools - MathPlayer
Allows user preferences to dictate how Math is rendered
Works online with NVDA and Firefox or IE (enterprise mode)
Works (with MathType) in Word and PowerPoint
From Design Science
MathPlayer works with Word and PowerPoint (but does require MathType to also be installed)
AHEAD Conference 2017

12. Key Terms & Tools – MathType
Plug and play for other authoring environments
Has licensing fee - lite mode after 30 day trial
Works with MathPlayer in Word and PPT
AHEAD Conference 2017

13. Key Terms & Tools - AsciiMath
An easy to write math language
AHEAD Conference 2017

14. Key Terms & Tools - LaTex
A document preparation system that allows typesetting of math content, favored by some math/science faculty but also a good option for students who need a way to produce mathematical content for others.
Free to use with many open source options for authoring and compiling across platforms
PCC offers 1 credit course as well as short list of essential commands
AHEAD Conference 2017

15. Key Terms & Tools – PreTeXt + WeBWorK
PCC is creating online accessible open textbooks with homework
PreTeXt is an open source authoring system allows authors to focus on content with presentation handled by compilers
Integrates with WeBWorK – open homework system
AHEAD Conference 2017

16. Key Terms & Tools - MathML Cloud
Enter math (Ascii, LaTeX or MathML)
Output (text based description, png, svg, or MathML)
AHEAD Conference 2017

17. Key Terms & Tools - Infty
Optical Character Recognition software for math
Infty bundle includes Chatty and Reader
ChattyInfty is a math editor with voice output, usable by visually impaired people.
The default file format of ChattyInfty is identical with that of InftyEditor.(iml)
AHEAD Conference 2017

18. Key Terms & Tools – Scientific Notebook
Software licensed through MacKichan
Combination of a scientific calculator and word processor providing graphical user interface with text/math modes
Can be used to review .tex files before sending to Duxbury to generate .brf or to publish html with MathML
It also works with Dragon via MathTalk
AHEAD Conference 2017

19. Key Terms & Tools – Central Access Reader
Free software for Windows or Mac that opens Word documents and reads content aloud including Math
AHEAD Conference 2017

20. Key Terms & Tools – g(Math)
Free add-on for Google Docs
Allows typed entry
Handwriting analysis
Voice input
Inserts graphics
Math expressions
Graphs
Statistical displays
AHEAD Conference 2017

21. Key Terms & Tools – Equatio
The free g(Math) was purchased by TextHelp and rebranded as Equatio
It works as a chrome extension to add voice, handwriting, and LaTeX authoring of equations to google documents.
Has prediction built in for math and chemistry in full version
Not accessible to those who are blind
AHEAD Conference 2017

22. Key Terms & Tools – Accessible Equation Editor
From Pearson – this editor offers braille users and qwerty keyboard users shared live access to structured math content
AHEAD Conference 2017

23. Key Terms & Tools - WIRIS
Accessible authoring environment that outputs equations as images with pre-scripted alt text.
AHEAD Conference 2017

24. Key Terms & Tools - Desmos
A free and open source keyboard accessible graphing calculator
Provides audio trace and sonification
AHEAD Conference 2017

25. Recap - Offering Math via HTML
Multiple authoring processes are available, for example:
Compiled from LaTeX (or PreTeXt)
Published from Word or Scientific Notebook
Converted through MathML Cloud
Need MathML for proper structure
Need MathJAX to render well in Browsers
May need MathPlayer to work well with AT
AHEAD Conference 2017

26. Math Accessibility for All
Users need flexibility and robustness when interacting with math
zoom/re-size or change color or contrast
keyboard navigation of content at preferred level of detail
Users need flexibility and robustness when creating math
independent authoring
checking work in progress
working collaboratively with others
Users rely on Institutions to ensure materials and activities are usable
Professional Development & Technical Support = Ethical Responsibility
AHEAD Conference 2017

27. Support for Faculty
Creative Commons Licensing attached to entire PCC Handbook
AHEAD Conference 2017

28. Support for Faculty
Subject Area Studies – Faculty led discipline specific inquiry
AHEAD Conference 2017

29. Summary - Math Accessibility Challenges
Math is represented spatially - often treated as image which is hard to OCR
Alt text as means of providing access is limited – static rendering
"This work" is in the Public Domain, CC0
AHEAD Conference 2017

30. Summary - Math Accessibility Challenges
Math content (even when properly structured) is not always accessible via assistive technology
Math content is found in (much) more than just math courses
Providing inclusive math is especially important because math is a pre-requisite for many other areas
People may have strong emotional associations with math
Math can be a “brick wall” if there are teaching/learning mismatches
"Brick Wall" is in the Public Domain
AHEAD Conference 2017

31. Summary - Math Accessibility Opportunities
Math is beautiful and full of natural connection points that are grounded in reality and leverage all the senses
Technology can create structure that is perceivable in many ways, supporting individual learner preferences
Collaboration can bring divergent perspectives together to address complex challenges in unique and creative ways
"Nautilus" by Chris 73 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
AHEAD Conference 2017

32. Support for Diverse Learners
The bulk of this session has focused on tools and techniques to make math accessible online, but here are additional links/ideas to share
Integrated Study Skills -
Alternative Courses -
Tactile Learning Objects -
Socially Relevant and Contextualized Content!
Contact Kaela with questions, ideas, etc.
AHEAD Conference 2017