[Blindmath] Issues with electronic math files and screen readers/braille displays

[Michael Whapples]

That's all fine if one has/wants an Android tablet.

That comment is not to do down your work, more a call to say "please put 
it in a more widely useful form". Personally I have absolutely no 
interest or intent in getting an Android tablet, probably as much 
political (I dislike the Google involvement) as much as practical 
(partially cost to use ratio, and also I have already some Apple 
products so other Apple products would probably fit better for sharing 
data/information). My view is that computers are more widely useful, 
many are likely to already have one/have access to one, there is a 
dominant OS (majority are windows) and there are tools which make it 
easy to make crossplatform applications (eg. Java), etc.

Michael Whapples
On 11/05/2012 00:52, Sina Bahram wrote:
> We're working on some solutions for Maps and also diagrams such as FlowCharts in my lab. An effort, for which I was quite humbled and honored, to recently receive a Whitehouse Champions of Change award.
>
> Currently, our system allows a blind student to interact with Google maps via touch, voice, and keyboard. It runs on any Android tablet, or really any decently recent Android powered device, and facilitates this access to the map by utilizing the TIKISI framework which I've developed as part of my doctoral studies.
>
> If you promise not to judge draft level copy that is very much not complete, you can read more about these efforts at:
>
> www.AccessibleInfographics.com
>
> we most recently made significant progress on FlowCharts, so I'll be updating the FlowCharts section soon with a write-up of our progress. Videos are forthcoming.
>
> Hope this helps stimulate some discussion. Feel free to contact me off list with questions.
>
>
> Take care,
> Sina
>
> Website: www.SinaBahram.com
> Twitter: @SinaBahram
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Whapples
> Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 5:59 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Issues with electronic math files and screen readers/braille displays
>
> You mentioned diagrams and maps, I am not sure if there is a purely
> computer based solution which is satisfactory for those. I know some use
> the software called the vOICe (www.seeingwithsound.com), but I think
> even users of that admit it has its limitations for what one can
> understand in a diagram when using it. Also while I have looked at it, I
> have never really got to grips with it, I am not putting it down by
> saying that, many find it useful and I think it possibly has value, I
> rather mean I personally have never managed to get on with it.
>
> I think certainly for the diagrams there may need to be a physical
> diagram for blind students.
>
> As for the maths, well there are bits and pieces out there which can do
> parts of it, but nothing really linked up. As Steve mentioned, may be if
> a state government pushes screen reader manufacturers then may be they
> will feel there is a need and so will start working on the problem.
> Until the screen reader providers start working on it those who do try
> and make maths accessible will be working in quite a constrained
> environment.
>
> Michael Whapples
> On 10/05/2012 14:40, Patricia Balassone wrote:
>> Thank you all, your feedback contains the kind of information I need to pass along. Although I only know a little about Nemeth and even less about programming, I know enough that I am also skeptical of the possibility for adequate adaptations. Unfortunately, providing a brailled hard copy with all possible answer scenarios for an exam that is answer driven is unrealistic. One of my suggestions, even though it will still be cumbersome, will be to supply tactile copies of all maps, diagrams, and equations for braille readers. Again, thank you for allowing me to tap into your knowledge and experience.
>> Patricia Balassone
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