[Blindmath] Typing in Nemeth Braille

Sun Sep 15 15:35:44 UTC 2013

Here are a few comments of mine for what it is worth.

I agree with Niel that using MathType and Word is possibly a simpler 
option for those who already know how to use Word. Also MathType having 
the LaTeX input mode/toggle in Word does mean that mathType is 
sufficiently accessible to be usable.

As well as using Duxbury to convert a Word document with MathType 
equation, there is also the Tiger Software Suite from ViewPlus 
Technologies. I probably also should disclose that I do work for 
ViewPlus, so I will withhold making comments on how well either work, I 
am just putting forward the other option. I believe both do have demo 
versions so you can try both and see which is better for you.

Scientific notebook has been mentioned, something I know little of, but 
it certainly seems to get much less discussion than the other options. 
Also I do not know what accessibility it does or does not have.

Another popular option is to write the document in LaTeX, great if you 
are going to make sufficient use of it as it probably is the most 
flexible and powerful option. The big down side is that there is quite a 
lot to learn and so the learning time is certainly not insignificant.

I must also note that all three of the above options rely on software 
translation to produce Braille, and so the Braille output is only as 
good as the software is. This is unlikely to be perfect at best, 
speaking for myself when I did a physics degree between 2003 and 2007 
the British Braille support in a popular Braille translation package was 
as good as useless (eg. many symbols not even known, some LaTeX commands 
causing the translation software to stop translating with no error 
message, etc). My point here mainly being that you certainly want to 
test the software first, you may not be able to purely rely on it (I 
would personally say it probably would need some form of proof reading).

I would say that the blind person should at least be able to understand 
the main stream format (eg. LaTeX or MathType in Word), so at least if 
there is Braille translation issues they can refer back to the original 
document to see what they should have.

On the topic of the NFB-Science list, I believe it does tend to be much 
quieter.

Michael Whapples
On 15/09/2013 07:03, I. C. Bray wrote:
> Neil,
> Well, I am going to need to use something, and I have been putting off
> deciding until I get some idea what's out there and what makes sence for me.
> I don't want to have to learn 5 new programs and try to keep the command &
> control sets seperate...
> I've been reading the BlindMath ListServ and hearing the difficulties and am
> just hoping I collect enough info and various ways to approach my own Math,
> Science, and Teaching needs now that I'm blind.
>
> OH, Side note question.
> Is the Blind Science listserv not active??  I Joined the list, and do not
> think I got any replies...
>
> Ian
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Neil Soiffer" <NeilS at dessci.com>
> To: "Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics"
> <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2013 1:52 AM
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Typing in Nemeth Braille
>
>
> : You can also use MathType with Word and then use Duxbury to translate to
> : Nemeth.  Like Scientific notebook, with MathType you just type the math in
> : using an easy math editor. If you are a familiar with Word, it is probably
> : a better option than getting Scientific Notebook and having to learn that.
> : MathType is just a math editor and so is a lot cheaper than Scientific
> : notebook.  Your school might already have a site license [full disclosure:
> : my company makes MathType]
> :
> : Neil Soiffer
> : Senior Scientist
> : Design Science, Inc.
> : www.dessci.com
> : ~ Makers of MathType, MathFlow, MathPlayer, MathDaisy, Equation Editor ~
> :
> :
> :
> : On Sat, Sep 14, 2013 at 5:46 PM, Allan Mesoga
> <allan.mesoga at gmail.com>wrote:
> :
> : > You can also use scientific notebook and save it as latex and open it
> : > using duxbury then translate.
> : >
> : > On 9/10/13, Sharon O'Neill <soneill1 at haverford.edu> wrote:
> : > > Hi Gabriela:  were you able to find an answer to the Nemeth Braille
> : > > software question?  I see they directed you to the fellow that has
> : > revamped
> : > > the nfbnet list for blindmath.  Were you able to contact him?
> : > >
> : > > I would be very interested in what he suggested.
> : > >
> : > > Regards,
> : > >
> : > > Sheri
> : > >
> : > >
> : > > On Fri, Aug 2, 2013 at 4:25 PM, Gabriela Moats <gmoats at haverford.edu>
> : > > wrote:
> : > >
> : > >> Hi all,
> : > >> I need to make raised tactile images that contain labels with math
> : > >> symbols for a blind student and he would like them to be typed in
> Nemeth
> : > >> Braille. Usually I just type them in SimBraille font and then feed it
> : > >> through an embosser so that the dots become raised Braille, but I
> need
> : > to
> : > >> be able to type in Nemeth Braille for this science course. Does
> anyone
> : > >> know
> : > >> of a software program or font I can download that would allow me to
> do
> : > >> this?
> : > >>
> : > >> Thank you,
> : > >>
> : > >> Gabriela
> : > >>
> : > >> --
> : > >> Gabriela Echavarría Moats
> : > >> Special Assignment Coordinator of Accommodations
> : > >> Office of Disabilities Services
> : > >> Haverford College
> : > >> Stokes Hall 118F
> : > >> gmoats at haverford.edu
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> : > >>
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