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Digital math summary page

Resources for accessible digital math: How to create digital assignments, how to complete assignments with a screen reader, lessons, and more!

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Digital math in today’s classroom

Today’s students are accessing educational materials online or in a digital format. COVID school closures have sped up the process of transitioning to digital classrooms; states/districts have fully embraced digital classrooms or are working to incorporate technology into every classroom – including math courses. After all, the goal of education is to prepare students for careers and today’s work force relies heavily on technology.

The College Board is also changing with the times and is moving from traditional paper-and-pencil to computer-based testing. According to the College Board, “Students are now doing more of their learning and testing digitally, and the SAT shouldn’t be the exception.” 

What does this re-alignment to digital math mean for TSVIs and BLV students? In the past, K-12 students received textbooks, assignments, and tests in braille. Currently, many K-12 students still receive all their math materials in paper braille, and they complete these assignments using paper braille. Other students are successfully completing assignments and tests in a digital format – after learning math concepts tactually. Many students prefer pairing a braille display with their device; this enables the student to hear the math equations read aloud while using their fingers to read the refreshable braille along with using the braille display to input math expressions. The goal is to move to access and complete assignments and tests in digital formats.

One of the biggest challenges for BLV college freshman is accessing and completing math courses, as universities typically do not provide paper braille resources. College students often must learn digital math tools while re-training their brains to make the switch from paper braille to digital formats. . . without the support of a TSVI. College math courses are challenging and move quickly! As always, students should be using the same tools to access and complete assignments in K-12 that they will be using in college and careers. This means that students should be learning to access and complete digital math assignments in K-12 math courses.

It is important to remember that braille displays currently are one line, meaning that the digital math equations can only be viewed as horizontal equations. When using paper braille, students can create, access and complete math problems in horizontal or vertical formats.

Scope and sequence for digital math

The national digital math team is working on digital math best practices, skills checklists (by device and grade level) and digital math workflows. The checklists and workflows contain numerous free resources. The documents in these two posts are fluid, meaning that they will be updated as new information is available.

General

While this post, Digital Math Summary, concentrates on digital math tools geared for older students, it is important to understand that young students should be introduced to digital math concepts and tools (paired with tactile materials) early on! The posts in the General section below focus on transitioning to digital math. The Math apps and activities summary page for students K-3rd grade offer a full range of math apps and activities; below are a few of these math transition posts to help jump start your journey into digital math!

Teaching strategies

Consider how teaching strategies impact student learning. 21st Century students should be actively engaged in learning. By nature, significant time with 1:1 pulled out instruction may unintentionally support learned helplessness and dependence. Gone are the days of students sitting in class listening to lectures and regurgitating information to complete assignments. Teaching methods have evolved and current teaching methods are designed to develop the 4 C’s of education: Critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. The increase access to the internet with online resources, YouTube video tutorials and virtual classes support and encourage the 4 C’s methodology.

Creating accessible digital math content

Unfortunately, most general education digital and online math resources are not accessible. The age-old question, “What comes first, the chicken or the egg?” applies to accessible digital math. Textbook publishers hesitate to add new math tools to online math assessments because students are not efficient with digital math. However, students cannot become efficient without having access to new math tools.

There are tools currently available that most TSVIs are not aware of and/or have not used yet. Can educators create digital math assignments with math expressions and can students complete these assignments in digital format? You bet! There are several types of options for creating accessible digital math expressions. Markup languages are the most robust and have been around for a while; this is the preferred method for BLV professionals in STEM fields.  Math equation editors are newer and easier to use (and do not require programming in HTML like markup languages); equation editors may not have the full list of features required for high level STEM courses or careers. Are these available math tools compatible with screen readers and braille displays? YES, screen readers and braille displays are can read and interact with math content created with both markup languages and math editors.

Resource

Google platform and digital math

Many school districts have embraced the Google Workspace for Education. The Google platform – especially Google Docs – currently struggles when it comes to math equations and screen reader accessibility. The Digital Math Team strongly recommends using Microsoft Office 365 for the best results when accessing math equations with a screen reader. Older versions of Microsoft and the free version of Microsoft are also not as compatible. (Updated July 2024)

Creating and completing math expressions: Equation editors

More recent options for creating math equations are math equation editors. Equation editors which use editable text boxes to type in the math expression which is then automatically translated – no extra symbols are required, simply enter the math equation like normal using a QWERTY keyboard or braille input using a braille display. Microsoft Word has a robust, built-in math editor; this is a mainstream tool that is also fully accessible that is being used by classroom teachers to create educational worksheets. JAWS released the Braille Math Editor feature and Pearson is working on the Accessible Equation Editor.

Resource

Microsoft Word Equation Editor

Microsoft Word has a built-in math Equation Editor that creates accessible math equation; the Equation Editor is found in Microsoft Word’s ribbon. This fully accessible math editor is used to insert mathematical expressions into a Word document. Mathematical expressions in a Word document are fully accessible with a screen reader and/or a screen reader paired with a braille display. (First released around 2007)

This equation editor is a mainstream, robust way to create accessible equations and general education math teachers and professors are already using the Word Equation Editor to create materials. Students who use a screen reader can create math equations and complete math worksheets using the Microsoft Word equation editor. Math worksheets created with Microsoft Word Equation Editor can also be completed using the JAWS Braille Math Editor.

Note: A TSVI shared that the Microsoft math editor is excellent for educators to create accessible worksheets (without using JAWS) and for students who use a braille display to input answers. However, the onscreen keyboard is not currently accessible with JAWS; a braille display must be used.

JAWS Braille Math Editor (BME)

The Braille Math Editor is a relatively new math editor feature in JAWS by Freedom Scientific, released in 2021, designed to insert mathematical expressions into a Word document using a braille display and JAWS. Teachers can use the Braille Math Editor to create accessible math equations and students can complete accessible math worksheets using the Braille Math Editor. The Braille Math Editor is now available for EUB and Nemeth braille codes (July 2024).

Equalize Editor

Equalize Editor is a web application for braille text and math equations. Text and math equations are inputted using 6-key braille input with a braille display or a QWERTY keyboard set to 6-key input. Creating equations/worksheets are saved as HTML. Teachers who know braille can create accessible math worksheets and students who know braille can create equations and complete math worksheets.

MathKicker.ai

MathKicker.ai is the newest tool for converting inaccessible math expression worksheets to accessible math worksheets – on the fly! Take a picture of the textbook page or worksheet and this free website harnesses artificial intelligence to instantly transform the image into a fully accessible Word document that can be read by a screen reader or accessed with a braille display.

Note: MathKicker.ai is very accurate; although math materials created with MathKicker.ai should be reviewed for accuracy. If an error is found, please let them know! With your feedback, the MathKicker.ai team continues to improve MathKicker.ai.

MathType

MathType is a software application created by Design Science that allows the creation of mathematical notation for inclusion in desktop and web applications. (First released in 1987.)

EquatiO

EquatiO is software from Texthelp that helps people create accessible digital math without complex coding or math languages to learn.

Accessible Equation Editor (AEE)

Accessible Equation Editor is a program used in a number of Pearson products that enables users to create math expressions within a web page. (Prototype is currently available.)

Braille notetaker

Some braille notetakers such as the BrailleNote Touch, BrailleNote Touch Plus, and Braille Sense Polaris have built-in software that enables math output and input.

Multiline braille display

Creating math expressions: Markup languages 

For decades, college students and professionals with visual impairments have been using math markup languages to access and create digital math expressions. MathML and LaTeX are two popular math languages. Using markup languages is a robust way to access higher math and STEM materials; however, there is a learning curve with these math languages, as they require additional symbols to be added to the math expression. Most TSVIs are not familiar with markup languages and few K-12 students are learning these markup languages prior to entering college.

LaTeX

LaTeX is a high-quality typesetting system designed for the production of technical and scientific documentation. It is available as a free software. (First released in 1984.)

MathML (Mathematical Markup Language)

MathML is a mathematical markup language, an application of XML for describing mathematical notations. It aims at integrating mathematical formulae into World Wide Web pages and other documents. (First released in 1998.)

MathJax

MathJax is a cross-browser JavaScript library that displays mathematical notation in web browsers, using MathML, LaTeX and ASCIIMathML markup. It is an open-source software. (First released in 2010.)

Reading digital math expressions

Under development

Automated Translation Team (AMT): AMT is working on developing software that will automatically translate printed mathematics text into Nemeth Braille. The goal is to provide Braille textbooks in a timely manner and at lower costs to universities.

Graphs and charts

SAS Graphics Accelerator

SAS Graphics Accelerator is a free Chrome extension that enables blind and low vision users to access digital charts, graphs and maps. There are numerous posts on SAS Graphics Accelerator; see  SAS Graphics Accelerator Summary Page for a full list of posts. Two posts in particular are beneficial for all digital graphing:

Excel Spreadsheets

Accessible iOS bar charts: Pages

Misc. charts and graphs

Graphing calculator

Desmos (app and website)

Desmos is both a scientific calculator and an advanced graphing calculator implemented as a web application and a mobile application. It is fully accessible with a screen reader and braille display, or simply convert your keyboard to a six key Braille input. Desmos is an embedded tool or is allowed to be used on College Board assessments, NWEA Map Growth test and many state assessments and is backed by Pearson.

Preparing for Graphing/Coordinates

Hands-on activities with tactile graphics, tools, and manipulatives.

Desmos Geometry Tool

The NEW version of the Desmos Geometry Tool was released in 2023 with an accessibility update in 2024.

Misc. digital math

There is another math summary page; this page lists all of the Paths to Technology posts dedicated to math-related apps and activities for young students. See Math apps and activities summary post for students K-3rd grade. Below are additional misc. digital math posts.

Low vision

BlindMath listserv is a wonderful, in-depth resource for students, BLV professionals and educators. This listserv is a place to ask questions, share knowledge and frequently hosts virtual discussions and trainings. [email protected]

Share your math tools!

Accessible digital math is rapidly evolving! I’m excited at the new and/or updated options that have been developed in the last couple of years. Please help us keep up-to-date on accessible digital math tools by sharing what tools YOUR students are using and their strategies for success! Contact us: [email protected]

By Diane Brauner,

This post is updated regularly; originally posted 2/24/23.

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