[Blindmath] Accessible display format for matrices

Tue Nov 15 13:02:48 UTC 2011

Thanks Ken,

So far, that seems to be the most accessible option. I suppose I could
style the matrices as <pre>xx</pre> and put them in XHTML tables. That
should make them accessible to a screen reader and also make them look
reasonable for the sighted students in the course. Maybe there is a unicode
character that could be used to create the vertical bars that typically
appear on printed matrices. If so, I wonder how a screen reader would treat
those characters.

Other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Dick Baldwin

On Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 6:47 AM, Ken Perry <kperry at blinksoft.com> wrote:

> When I did my matrix class back in the early 90's I used a text editor and
> an old laptop calculator called Xplore.  The calculator still exists but
> the
> newest version is not that accessible. I would just type the matrix out in
> a
> text editor and space the columns.  That way when I  wanted two add two
> rows
> I would block one row and put it under the other and move things around.  I
> know that is not pretty but it gave me a good feel of how the sighted folks
> did it.  I got to the point where I could do up to 2 4 by 4 matrixes in my
> head only writing down values as I multiplied them or if I was trying to
> solve them.  It would take a bit of work to get back to that point now but
> all I am saying is don't give up on the simple text editor  it sometimes is
> nice to be able to easily see all the numbers in a row at a time.
>
> Ken
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On
> Behalf Of Richard Baldwin
> Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 6:53 AM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Accessible display format for matrices
>
> Hi Pranav,
>
> Thanks for the input. I understand how a spreadsheet can be used for doing
> matrix computations. The main thing that I am looking for is the most
> accessible display format. For example, MathML can be used to create
> beautiful matrix equations in an HTML page. Beautiful, that is, for sighted
> students. However, NVDA becomes silent when it encounters MathML in a web
> page. I don't have a copy of Jaws, so I don't know how it reacts to MathML
> in a web page.
>
> Most normal equations can be handled in an accessible manner by writing
> them
> on a single line using programming format. Matrix equations, on the other
> hand typically require three or four lines. I wondering how to configure
> those three or four lines in such a way that a blind student can make sense
> of them.
>
> Thanks,
> Dick Baldwin
>
> On Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 4:11 AM, Pranav Lal <pranav.lal at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi Richard,
> >
> > I have worked a bit with matrices. At the time I did, a spreadsheet
> > was the solution I chose. I could add rows and columns without a fuss
> > and they were accessible. Excel is the tool to go for in windows. No
> > special tool is required.
> >
> > On 11/15/11, Richard Baldwin <baldwin at dickbaldwin.com> wrote:
> > > I will be teaching the following course for the first time in the
> > > Spring
> > > 2012 semester.
> > >
> > > GAME 2302 - Mathematical Applications for Game Development (3-3-1)
> > > Presents applications of mathematics and science in game and
> > > simulation programming. Includes the utilization of matrix and
> > > vector operations, kinematics, and Newtonian principles in games and
> > > simulations. Also
> > covers
> > > code optimization.
> > >
> > > The course must be accessible for blind and VI students. Even if
> > > there
> > are
> > > accessible textbooks at the college level covering these topics
> > > (which I
> > > doubt) it is far too late to adopt a new textbook for the course.
> > >
> > > I really need suggestions from those who teach mathematics and blind
> > > students who study mathematics regarding the most accessible formats
> > > for presenting matrix equations.
> > >
> > > If special reader software is required (beyond a standard screen
> > reader), I
> > > need to know that also.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance.
> > > Dick Baldwin
> > >
> > > --
> > > Richard G. Baldwin (Dick Baldwin)
> > > Home of Baldwin's on-line Java Tutorials http://www.DickBaldwin.com
> > >
> > > Professor of Computer Information Technology Austin Community
> > > College
> > > (512) 223-4758
> > > mailto:Baldwin at DickBaldwin.com
> > > http://www.austincc.edu/baldwin/
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> > ail.com
> > >
> >
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>
>
> --
> Richard G. Baldwin (Dick Baldwin)
> Home of Baldwin's on-line Java Tutorials http://www.DickBaldwin.com
>
> Professor of Computer Information Technology Austin Community College
> (512) 223-4758
> mailto:Baldwin at DickBaldwin.com
> http://www.austincc.edu/baldwin/
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-- 
Richard G. Baldwin (Dick Baldwin)
Home of Baldwin's on-line Java Tutorials
http://www.DickBaldwin.com

Professor of Computer Information Technology
Austin Community College
(512) 223-4758
mailto:Baldwin at DickBaldwin.com
http://www.austincc.edu/baldwin/