[Blindmath] Mathematical document accessibility

[Michael Whapples]

I accept what you are saying and yes plenty do use LaTeX for documents 
without mathematical content (eg. the documentation for various 
opensource software is written in LaTeX, as an example the python 
documentation used to be written in LaTeX). The thing I would raise 
though is that for non-mathematical documents there are other 
alternatives (even without having to go to those wysiwyg word 
processors) and may be some of those alternatives would suit some people 
better than LaTeX (eg. ReStructureText is now used for python 
documentation). Each one of these alternatives have their strengths, 
LaTeX's is that it is very powerful and flexible, something simpler 
might suit those who have a lower requirements.

My argument is that there is no one answer for all. Sometimes the 
choices are limited (eg. producing maths) so a particular option may 
become a fairly obvious choice for most people (LaTeX for maths). When 
there are more options the answer may be less clear. I am not trying to 
bring down LaTeX (in fact I think it is a very good system) but rather 
suggesting we give the alternatives a fair consideration.

One thing I will finally state, I do have to disagree with you saying 
about shelling out money for a word processor, there are some free ones 
like openoffice. The accessibility of these word processors (either free 
or commercial offerings) probably (almost certainly) could be improved, 
but this is another matter.

Michael Whapples
On 14/03/09 02:55, P. R. Stanley wrote:
> That's true, Jason, we have had this discussion several times yet it 
> seems our efforts to highlight the benefits of LaTeX aren't bearing 
> any fruit.
>
> I think it'd be easier to persuade the previous U.S. republican 
> administration to join the taliban.
>> P. R. Stanley <prstanley at ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> > I disagree! LaTeX isn't just for typesetting maths. Learning LaTeX 
>> would
>> > allow you the freedom to typeset professional quality documents 
>> without
>> > having to shell out hundreds on a less than accessible editor.
>>
>> We've had this discussion before on the list, where it was pointed 
>> out that
>> LaTeX can be used as a better alternative to word processors for a wide
>> variety of documents. This is why there are LaTeX styles for 
>> everything from
>> post cards, to resumes, reports, articles, books and so on.
>>
>> After making the switch to LaTeX, I didn't need a word processor 
>> anymore.
>>
>>
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