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

Fri May 11 01:03:59 UTC 2012

While I hear you: all you've stated an objection to is the platform. As you know, this is nothing more than an engineering effort to move to other platforms, and I agree with you in terms of availability and so forth. On the other hand, the research, the interaction techniques, the feature sets: these are platform agnostic. Furthermore, the development experience on Android is far superior to that of IOS, whereas ironically the user experience is far superior on IOS than it is on Android; thus, this paradoxical situation leads to the current implementation. Please understand that this is the most minor of concerns, as this not a product yet, but a way of showing folks that such things are possible. If we turn this into a product or release it as such, then of course such considerations are on the top of the list before anything else, frankly.

A friend once told me that if all people criticize are the easiest to change of engineering efforts/details, then you're doing OK, *smile*, unfortunately, I'm not ready to presume that yet, but I might presume that you don't have any comments on the substance/meat of the project? if you do, please know I'm anxious to hear them, as I want to incorporate feedback into this.

Thanks so much for your feedback and for taking the time to write something: so many people don't.

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 8:21 PM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Issues with electronic math files and screen readers/braille displays

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
>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may represent the originator’s personal views, opinions, conclusions and other information which do not necessarily reflect those of Lansing School District and are not given nor endorsed by Lansing School District unless otherwise specified. If you are not the original recipient or the person responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, be advised that you have receive this email in error, and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately.
>>
>> VIRUS WARNING: All reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure no viruses are present in this email or any attachments. However, Lansing School District cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage arising from the use of this e-mail or attachments and recommends that you subject this e-mail and any attachments to your own virus scanning procedures prior to viewing or opening.
>>
>> UCE (SPAM) NOTE: Lansing School District takes an aggressive approach to unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE). All UCE sent to this e-mail address will be forwarded with complete Internet headers to various anti-spam blacklisting agencies; and all UCE with non-working or fraudulent opt-out mechanisms will be forwarded to the Federal Trade Commission for investigation and possible prosecution under the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Blindmath mailing list
>> Blindmath at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Blindmath:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/mwhapples%40aim.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> Blindmath mailing list
> Blindmath at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Blindmath:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/sbahram%40nc.rr.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Blindmath mailing list
> Blindmath at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Blindmath:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/mwhapples%40aim.com

_______________________________________________
Blindmath mailing list
Blindmath at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Blindmath:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/sbahram%40nc.rr.com