1. Making STEM Content Usable for Diverse Learners
WAPED April 2019
Krista Greear and Zach Lattin
Zach

2. Introduction Zach Lattin Assistive Technology Specialist Clark College
Zach and Krista
Zach Lattin
Assistive Technology Specialist
Clark College
Krista Greear
Accessibility Strategist
Blackboard Ally

3. Disclaimers
You will not know how to convert every piece of content into accessible STEM by the end of this presentation.
The process to making STEM content accessible is greatly dependent upon the source file.
The technology is not there yet to provide 1 seamless, automated process that is usable for both the content creator (faculty, instructional designers, etc.), the consumer (student), and the content remediation expert (disability services).
Zach

4. Objectives
Discuss math accessibility in reference to the campuses accessibility policy.
Understand the factors involved in making STEM content accessible.
Understand the basics of MathML and LaTeX.
Understand the basics of using tools like MathType and EquatIO to create accessible math content.
Provide a short list of “do’s” and “don’ts” to faculty and disability services about making STEM content accessible.
Zach

5. Policy 188 and Math What is Policy 188? How does it relate to math?
Zach

6. Policy 188 – Money Quote
From the beginning of Washington State OCIO Policy 188:​
"...people with disabilities have access to and use of information and data and be provided access to the same services and content that is available to persons without disabilities unless providing direct access is not possible due to technical or legal limitations."​
Since it is technically possible to provide accessible math, we should whenever possible.​

7. Policy 188 – Quote 2
“...Web sites, Web- based applications, software systems, and electronically published documents, should provide the substantially similar functionality to individuals with disabilities as it provides to others.”​
Zach

8. Inaccessible PDF with Math Content Demo​
Zach demo a PDF with math content with a screen reader.
Zach

9. Basics of STEM Accessibility
What are the factors involved?
Krista

10. Factors Involved
Krista. The purpose of this slide is to help you understand the factors people like Zach and myself need to consider as we provide recommendations and guidance. This also helps to demonstrate why there is not 1 simple solution that will meet the (a) needs of students who use various adaptive technologies to CONSUME and PRODUCE content, (b) the needs of DS who need to CONVERT or RETROFIT content in a short period of time, and (c) the needs of the faculty who CREATE and TEACH. 
Location 
Physical handouts
Electronic docs (Word docs, PDFs, pptx, Google Docs, etc.)
Websites
Videos
Online learning tools (i.e. MyMathLab)
Whiteboards
Library journals
How Math Created
Images
Text
LaTeX
MathML
AsciiMath
OMML
File Types
HTML on web
HTML in LMS
Word documents (.docx)
PowerPoint (.pptx)
Google Doc (.gdoc)
Google Slides (.gslides)
Text (.txt)
End User’s Tool
Screen Reader: JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, ChromeVox
Text-to-Speech: Central Access Reader, Read and Write, VoiceDream, Mac TTS
Speech Recognition: Dragon Naturally Speaking, Dictation
Web Browser (and version)
Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Internet Explorer
Microsoft Edge
Person’s Needs
Hear it
Enlarge it
Feel it
Change colors
Only use a keyboard
See and hear simultaneously

11. LaTeX and MathML
Definition
Example
Comparison
Krista and Zach

12. LaTeX
A document preparation system for high-quality typesetting designed for the scientific and technical communities. ​
Designed for the print world.
De facto standard for the communication and publication of mathematical scientific notation. ​
Written by humans
Released 1983.
Zach

13. $x=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$
LaTeX Example
$x=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$
Zach

14. Math Mark Up Language (MathML) ​
Computer markup language.
A low-level specification for mathematical and scientific content on the Web and beyond. ​
Designed for the digital world. ​
HTML5 and an ISO standard ISO/IEC DIS since 2015.
Not meant to be constructed by hand due to length; generated with equation editor or other GUI interface.
Released 1998.
Krista

15. MathML Example
Krista

16. Comparison of LaTeX and MathML
Krista

17. An Example: Insert Math Equation in Different Browsers
Firefox / NVDA and Math Player / Brailliant Braille Display
Reads LaTeX source, then MathML which is navigable
Internet Explorer / Jaws 18 / Brailliant Braille Display
Graphic with image description
LaTeX shows on Braille display
Safari / VoiceOver on iPhone / APH Refreshable Braille
Structurally navigate the MathML
Zach

18. What’s Not Going to Work
Demanding instructors to only use LaTeX.
Demanding instructors to only use tools that produce MathML.
Zach

19. Solution??
Encourage faculty to use a tool that works with both LaTeX and MathML.
Zach

20. MathType
Introduction
Demo
Demo with screen reader
Pros/Cons
Krista

21. MathType Intro
A tool that will generate math content in both LaTeX and MathML.
Relies on a graphical user interface (GUI) to construct content.
Available as a standalone or Word and PowerPoint plug-in.
Released ​
Available on Windows or Mac.
Krista
MathType - Switching between classic input and handwriting: 

22. MathType Demo Krista demo MathType plug-in in Word.
Zach demo LaTeX in MS Word with the Toggle Tex.
Krista

23. Evaluation of Content Created with MathType
Zach demo the output with a screen reader.
Zach

24. MathType Pros/Cons Pros
More likely to produce Nemeth Braille on a refreshable Braille display.
Been around for decades so it’s trusted and well used (less bugs).
Has a Toggle TeX button to switch between LaTeX and MathML.
Less steps to turn LaTeX into MathML.
Good plug-in for Word and PowerPoint.
Has a free plug-in for Canvas.
MathType Pros/Cons
Cons
Not the most user friendly:
manual construction of each equation.
learning keyboard shortcuts to enter elements of equations.
knowing LaTeX.
Doesn’t offer other features that may be super appealing to faculty (i.e. speak math, handwriting recognition*).
*available in some editions of MathType
Both

25. 10 Min Break
Krista

26. EquatIO
Introduction
Demo
Demo with Screen Reader
Pros/Cons
Krista

27. EquatIO Intro
A tool that will generate math content and allows multiple outputs.
Can use graphical user interface (GUI), speak math option, or handwriting” to construct content.
Standalone or Google Doc plug-in.
Available on Windows or Mac.
Krista
Introducing EquatIO® - Make Math Digital. Make Math Together
EquatIO® for Google: How to use Screenshot Reader

28. EquatIO Demo
Krista demo EquatIO desktop version on Mac. 
Krista

29. Evaluation of Content Created with EquatIO
Zach demo the output with a screen reader.
Zach

30. EquatIO Pros/Cons Cons
Priority to make math digital first, accessible second.
Focused on K-12 and Google.
Default output is an image with alt text.
Have to take extra steps to get to MathML.
Not accessible to adaptive tech.
May require premium license for the most appealing options (i.e. Screenshot Reader and Copy as MathML).
Can’t produce Nemeth Braille..
EquatIO Pros/Cons
Pros
More options than MathType such as Copy LaTeX, Copy MathML, Copy Spoken Text, Copy HTML, Save SVG, and Save PNG.
Side-by-side view of LaTeX and presentation MathML.
Easy way to turn images of math into accessible content with Screenshot Reader and Copy MathML features.
Both

31. Questions to Faculty
Between using MathType or EquatIO, which are you more willing to use? Why?
Zach

32. Summary Tool Using MathType is best for accessibility.
Using EquatIO is second best for accessibility.
File Format
Using Canvas / html is good.
Using Word documents is good.
Using PDFs is never recommended.
Zach

33. What Can Be Done? Faculty “Dos” and “Don’ts”
Disability Services “Dos” and “Don’ts”

34. Faculty “Don’ts”
Do not use images of mathematical notation (i.e. screenshot, image files).
Avoid handwritten math content as PDF.
Do not publish STEM content in PDF. Instead use:
Canvas pages
MathType in Word document
EquatIO in Word document
Assume that each student has the same needs or assistive technology.
Use vendor products that haven’t been vetted for accessibility of the STEM content they produce.
Zach

35. Faculty “Dos” Use tools to make MathML if in the digital environment.
Keep LaTeX source files.
Consider the needs of the specific student.
Use Canvas pages and Word docs instead of PDFs.
Understand how to make images accessible based on type and complexity.
Diagram Center: Image Description Guidelines
Use Ally, MS Accessibility Checker, Grackle Docs, etc. to check content.
Zach

36. Disability Services “Don’ts”
Assume 1 tool or 1 process will meet the needs of all your students.
Assume 1 tool or 1 process will work for all your STEM faculty.
Krista

37. Disability Services “Dos”
Use terms appropriately: MathML, LaTeX, Screen Reader, Text-to-Speech.
Help faculty understand the benefits of content in Canvas or Word vs PDF.
Meet with the student and faculty member prior to start of STEM class to discuss specific needs and accommodations.
Encourage IT to ensure that campus has the latest version of Microsoft Office available.
Encourage campus to purchase site licenses for tools like MathType or EquatIO.
Krista

38. Resources / Tools to Help
Accessibility 101: STEM Edition
Accessibility Checkers
Diagram Center: Image Description Guidelines
Krista

39. Accessibility 101: STEM Edition
Krista

40. Accessibility Checkers
Krista

41. Diagram Center: Image Description Guidelines
Drawings & Paintings
Photographs
Cartoons & Comics
Chemical Element
Comparing Objects
Comparing Object, Complex
Comparing Events Over Time
Venn Diagrams
Radial/Web Diagrams
Hierarchy/Tree Diagrams
Flow Charts
Cycles
Bar Graphs
Line Graphs
Pie Graphs
Scatter Plots
Geographic Maps
Political Maps
Math Diagrams
Geometry
Equations & Expressions
Simple Tables
Complex Tables
Text Only Images
Nutrition Labels
Timelines
Krista

42. Questions?
Both