Accessibility: Accessible STEM documents

What is an accessible STEM document?

• Customisable and can be read with text to speech (TTS) including all images, tables and equations.
• Accessibility barriers to maths notation.
• Mathematical mark-up MathML designed for accessibility but limited support in browsers and applications.
• LaTeX a common markup.
• MathJax used to render MathML or LaTeX on the web.
• PDF created from LaTeX are not usually accessible.
• LaTeX can be converted to MathML
• PowerPoint:Create maths notation using MathType or built-in equation editor. Provide original file PPTX if possible.
• MS Word equation editor sufficient for most maths and can be read-aloud using built-in text to speech.
• Database of STEM related print accessible solutions.
• Institute of Physics publication “Supporting Students in STEM with Colour Vision Deficiency”.

STEMReader

• Read aloud maths in accurately but without overloading user.
• Highlight the equation as it is read.
• Provide users with different options for speaking equations.
• Based on MathJax conversion of MathML & LaTeX.

Word processing of maths notation

• LaTeX still most common means of entering maths notation at university level.
• Keyboard shortcuts in Word.
• g(math) from Texthelp for Google Docs.
• Open source, free equation editor.