Creating and Accessing Digital Math Content

Introduction and General Information

The resources on this page were compiled to assist with the following:

Creation of accessible math content for students who are blind or visually impaired and use assistive technology.
Provide resources to assist students with visual impairments in accessing math content that has been created for them while using assistive technology.
Access by the regular education teachers of math content created or modified by a student with a visual impairment utilizing assistive technology.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all possible resources and is meant as a starting point for teachers and students.

Some General Information about Accessible Math

As we all know, math notation in general is very visual. Due to the nature of the spacing, it is difficult for non-specialized software to correctly interpret the equations and symbols. For this reason, there are specific technologies to both create accessible math content and to decipher it so someone using assistive technology can interpret it. The two terms that are seen most often are LaTeX and MathML.

LaTeX and MathML are both used mathematical notation, but they're quite different in how they work.

LaTeX, which is pronounced "lay-tech," is a typesetting system. It's widely used in documents because it allows inclusion of complex mathematical formulas. However, the coding is embedded into programs like Microsoft Word, so no direct knowledge of LaTeX itself is needed. Those creating and editing content utilize the tools included in the program or application to do so.

MathML is used to display math content. Users do not actually type it manually because it is very long and complex. It is most often used on the web or sometimes in specific applications. For our purposes here, let’s say it is used to display math so it shows up correctly.

There are, of course, other tools used to create and access math content, but as these two terms are used in some of the resources on this page, a fundamental understanding of what MathML and LaTeX are is helpful.

More Basic Information on Accessible Math:

Creating and Accessing Content in Microsoft Word for Teachers

Featured Resource: Accessible Math Editor in Word

The article from Perkins Paths to Technology contains a YouTube video by Dr. Denise Robertson along with screenshots and other resources.

Key Takeaway from this resource - Enter Equation Editor using the shortcut Alt + = (Alt and the Equals Sign together). This is a Windows command and will work whether or not JAWS is running.

Creating and Accessing Content in Microsoft Word for Students

Featured Resource: Student Video Tutorial on the Braille Math Editor

Learn how to use Braille Math Editor with a braille display to complete math assignments using Nemeth code. This article from Perkins contains an embedded YouTube video as well as some general commentary on the increased ease of using a PC to insert math equations.

Other Math Resource Compilations

The following resources each offer strategies, workflows, or checklists designed to assist teachers in creating a process for students to share and receive digital math content. Since needs and abilities of both students and teachers can vary, multiple methods can be combined to construct a workflow tailored to the needs of all involved.

DIAGRAM Center, Bentech

DIAGRAM Center Accessible Math Tools Tips and Training

The DIAGRAM Center is a Benetech initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs

Perkins Paths to Technology Math Summary Page

Contains resources on a variety of methods, devices, and strategies, including the BrailleNote Touch Plus, Monarch, JAWS, and others.

Tech Equity and Access in Math (TEAM) Resources

Note that this website and the documents linked here are constantly evolving, with more content being added regularly. Please check back periodically for updated Word, PowerPoint, or other downloadable resources.

Please see the Resources section on this page for some excellent guidelines and best practices

TEAM Institute: Workflows from Teacher to Student and Student to Teacher

Texas School for the Blind Resources

The Texas School for the Bind did a few “Tech Tea Time” presentations highlighting resources, workflows, and methods for creating digital math content.

Search TSBVI Professional Development Library for “Math”. The following presentations should be available:

TSBVI Tech Tea Time: Digital Math: Workflows from Teacher to Student and Student to Teacher March 13, 2025
Tech Tea Time: The Equalize Editor – Online Accessible Braille Math September 19, 2024.
Document Accessibility: Math, Docs, Slides, and Braille Devices by TSBVI May 2023 (no handout available).

Featured Resource: Math and AT for Blind and Low Vision Students YouTube Playlist

Developed by the CATT-NW team, these resources were prepared for an all-day training on math and access technology for teachers of blind and low vision students in February 2024. We encourage broad use and sharing of these resources

CATT Center: Math and AT for Blind and Low Vision Students - YouTube Playlist

Math Resources for Specific Software and Devices

Resources in this section are sorted by device, software, or access point. Some resources listed reference multiple devices or access points and therefore may be listed under more than one category.

BrailleNote Touch Plus Resources

BrailleSense 6 Resources

Desmos

Desmos is available both as a Web Application and a mobile app on both iOS and Android.

Resources for both are provided here.

Desmos Web Application and Accessibility Resources

Desmos has a variety of calculators available including a scientific, graphing, and others. Links to all options are available on their website.

Desmos Main Page

Additionally, the Desmos Accessibility Page contains information on setting up a PC with a screen reader, various downloadable keyboard shortcut list, and more to assist new users in getting started.

Desmos Accessibility Resources

General Desmos Resources

Math with Windows Screen Readers

Please note that though no specific resources referencing Microsoft Narrator and math appear here, general windows commands that are used with JAWS, Fusion or NVDA will work unless it is specifically stated that a key command or method is unique to those screen readers.

This same principle applies to use of NVDA and math content. Unless a resource specifically states it is unique to JAWS or Fusion (such as the Braille Math Editor), it can be used with NVDA or Narrator.

For best results, refer to Microsoft documentation listed elsewhere in this resource.