[Blindmath] Math Production Question

Thu Dec 22 20:49:40 UTC 2011

What kinds of graphics files can it emboss?

Amanda
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John J. Boyer" <john.boyer at abilitiessoft.com>
To: <john.gardner at orst.edu>; "Blind Math list for those interested in 
mathematics" <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 2:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Math Production Question

>A couple of comments of my own. Just to inform those who haven't heard.
> The BrailleBlaster software will be capable of producing both math in
> various braille codes and tactile graphics. It uses the same braille
> engine as TSS. Development is in a very early stage, but work is
> continuous. to get an idea of the present status of the project go to
> http://www.brailleblaster.org
>
> John B.
> On Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 11:40:13AM -0800, John Gardner wrote:
>> I'll add four comments to George's below.  Details on all of the
>> technologies I describe are available on the www.acccess2science.com web
>> site.  Math in the Duxbury application mentioned by George is also
>> documented on that site.
>>
>> John Gardner
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>> On
>> Behalf Of George Bell
>> Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 10:48 AM
>> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
>> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Math Production Question
>>
>> Hi James,
>>
>> You've asked a heck of a lot in a short space.
>>
>> If we leave diagrams aside for a moment, various output formats from
>> Large Print to Braille can be done using INFTY to scan if needs be.
>> You save the scan as an XML file, whereupon it can be brought into
>> Word 2007 or 2010
>>
>> It's an easy job then to convert what will be Word's Math objects into
>> MathType objects using MathType to do this.
>>
>> You are then ready to do any corrections and editing, paying
>> particular attention to the Word Styles used.
>>
>> When you have a decent Word file, again it's a relatively easy
>> operation, if required, to convert the whole document, including the
>> math object into Large Print, although you will need to review the
>> enlargement and possible edit where appropriate.
>>
>> The very same original file may then be simply brought into Duxbury
>> 11.1 for conversion to Braille, but here you do need to carefully
>> proof read the braille.
>>
>> JAG: You can also use TSS with a ViewPlus embosser.  If you use an 
>> embosser
>> that also prints ink, TSS will give you both the braille and ink.  It 
>> will
>> print ink words above braille and print the ink equation over the 
>> braille.
>>
>> Gain with the same original Word file, you can prepare for DAISY.
>>
>> Graphics are a different matter, and there are many who are
>> experienced in this field here.
>> JAG: There are several ways to handle the graphics.  I can only tell you 
>> the
>> two ways to do it with ViewPlus software.  One is to make a stand-alone
>> tactile graphic.  Scan in a graphic, import into MS Word, stretch to as 
>> big
>> as will fit on what page size you are using, then put text boxes over any
>> (bit-mapped) text labels and type in that same text.  TSS will then 
>> convert
>> that text to braille.  Be sure that the text boxes are large enough for 
>> the
>> braille!    Then emboss, with ink again if you have the right embosser. 
>> You
>> usually need to write a descriptive paragraph explaining what the figure 
>> is
>> all about and include it in braille.  Some (unfortunately small fraction) 
>> of
>> your braille-reading blind students will be able to understand this 
>> figure.
>> The second method is to use audio-tactile access with IVEO. 
>> Audio-tactile
>> graphics are much easier for most blind students to understand.  To make 
>> an
>> audio-tactile graphic, you import the scanned image into IVEO Creator 
>> Pro,
>> and the bit-mapped-text is automatically converted to real text.  You 
>> also
>> usually need to add some information into the file about what the various
>> objects in the figure are, just as you need to write a descriptive 
>> paragraph
>> about a stand-alone tactile figure.  Then emboss it, make a computer and
>> touchpad available to the student who will hear text labels and that
>> information in audio when text or objects are pressed.
>>
>> I will add that I'm currently testing
>> out a Phoenix graphics and braille embosser, but it is too early to
>> report progress.
>>
>> Scientific Notebook is possible something to consider later but so far
>> in our school system, it's not proved to be required.  Perhaps when we
>> advance to University level we will need it, but there are few enough
>> doing decent math at the school level.
>> JAG: You don't need Scientific Notebook for anything.  You can write any
>> conceivable math expression with MathType in MS Word, and TSS will 
>> translate
>> it into Nemeth perfectly.
>>
>> We're also looking at how we may obtain speech output from the Word
>> file, and will be tackling that in the New Year.
>> JAG: Easy.  Export to a MathPlayer-format HTML file using the MathType
>> "Publish as Math Page" menu item.  Then open in Internet Explorer in 
>> which
>> the free MathPlayer plug-in is installed.  Check with the MathPlayer
>> manufacturer (Design Science) web site to set various IE security options
>> properly.  Then read the Word document, including equations in audio with
>> any screen reader.
>>
>>
>> All the best, and Seasons Greetings,
>>
>> George.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of James McCarthy
>> Sent: 22 December 2011 17:34
>> To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
>> Subject: [Blindmath] Math Production Question
>>
>> I operate an instructional materials access center making accessible
>> textbooks in the state of Maryland. I personally have little knowledge
>> of stem materials, but am committed to providing as accessible a stem
>> experience as possible. I am an avid follower of this list, though
>> rarely post, however, I now seek your advice. To date, we have not had
>> any capacity to provide accessible mathematic materials. However, we
>> strive to change this to the extent it is feasible. We are purchasing
>> the entire Infty Reader suite and can purchase most of the remaining
>> software we will need.
>> Obviously MathType seems essential and I think MathDAISY may also be
>> something we require. I am less sure of the role of Scientific
>> Notebook, though I have some notes stating it is helpful and perhaps
>> essential for a production house. Any thoughts from others on this
>> list?
>>
>>
>>
>> James McCarthy, J.D.
>>
>> Maryland Accessible Textbook Program Coordinator
>>
>> Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
>>
>> 415 Park Avenue
>>
>> Baltimore, MD 21201
>>
>> Phone: (410) 230-2453
>>
>> Fax: (410) 333-2095
>>
>> Email: jmccart at lbph.lib.md.us
>>
>>
>>
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>>
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>>
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>
> -- 
> John J. Boyer; President, Chief Software Developer
> Abilitiessoft, Inc.
> http://www.abilitiessoft.com
> Madison, Wisconsin USA
> Developing software for people with disabilities
>
>
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