[Blindmath] MathJax Accessibility: math/STEM universal access/design

[Kevin Chao]

Will MathPlayer 3 address the fact that all the math/STEM
symbols/operators in 2.2 are converted into words, all spatial
layout/structure/relations not being conveyed due to all information
being converted into words, and there not being proper braille support
(Nemeth)? Each and every one of these three key points are absolutely
essential and critical to proper and truly accessible math/STEM
readable content.

I think that the work that Design Science, MathPlayer has done is a
great start, but it doesn't provide a great experience, especially
when it comes to being able to have an overview, drill down, and
navigate/review. Not to also mention the inability to create/edit work
in an integrated/imbedded way, such as homework, notes, and exams
within the same environment that is already being used by education or
work, such as a LMS/CMS of some kind. Also, the very restrictive
system requirement of MathPlayer 2.2 plug-in only working with IE,
what about Windows Firefox and Chrome or Mac Safari, Webkit, Chrome,
etc.? This is where I think it would be great if MathJax has a
standard specifying accessibility, which would work across platforms
and browsers.

Thanks,

Kevin

On 11/6/11, Neil Soiffer <NeilS at dessci.com> wrote:
> MathJax works with MathPlayer to provide accessibility if you use IE.
> There are some issues with MathJax and MathPlayer 2 if people didn't
> configure their site to allow users to choose the renderer, but most of
> those have been resolved with MathPlayer 3 (which might be available next
> week).
>
> MathJax is a great solution which has already greatly increased the amount
> of math that is accessible on the web.  Design Science is one of the
> founding sponsers for MathJax work and we are working to make sure the math
> rendered by it is accessible.
>
>  Neil Soiffer
> Senior Scientist
> Design Science, Inc.
> www.dessci.com
> ~ Makers of MathType, MathFlow, MathPlayer, MathDaisy, Equation Editor ~
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 6, 2011 at 3:19 PM, Kevin Chao <kevinchao89 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> MathJax is an open source JavaScript display engine for mathematics
>> that works in all modern browsers.
>> No more setup for readers. No more browser plugins. No more font
>> installations… It just works.
>> Accept following sources:
>> LaTeX
>> MathML
>>
>> http://www.mathjax.org/
>>
>> Unfortunately, there's not an MathJax accessibility API, which web
>> browsers can use, which will allow assistive technologies, such as
>> screen readers to work with beautiful math in all browsers. As far as
>> I'm aware, there's no MathJax accessibility in Windows IE9/8, Chrome
>> 15-17, Firefox 4-10; Mac OS X Safari, Webkit, Lightning, and/or
>> Chrome; iOS 5 Safari; Android Mobile Accessibility Web browser or
>> Ideal Web Reader.
>>
>> MathJax has the potential to make math/STEM accessibility truly
>> universal and not speicific to MathML and IE8, MathPlayer 2.2, and
>> JAWS 12.
>>
>> It has the potential to completely revolutionize math/STEM
>> accessibility for all, but I would like to know what's the best
>> approach in MathJax including universal access/design, and it working
>> for all? Perhaps, it should be a community effort, where we all
>> contact MathJax, create a petition, or some other campaign effort?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Kevin
>>
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