[Blindmath] Ways to create math solutions for sighted instructors

[Daniel Gillen]

I am well aware of that. However, my professors in college and other instructors seemed well able (as the proved to me) to understand and even write comments containing this particular notation. For the most part, I tended to use the most standard math symbols for things such as calculus or set theory (like integrals and empty-set or element-of signs). The times when I would make something more spatial would occur when rendering large matrices such as more than three-by-three arrays in linear algebra and other contexts. For smaller matrices or vectors, I would use something similar to what programming languages tend to use with parentheses or square brackets. all in all, it seemed to work really well for the purposes of doing regular homework assignments and exams. Yet I know that when I write my physics thesis this year, I will be preparing it using LaTeX. I have quite a bit of familiarity with this markup language, as often I have received assignments where math notation was marked up in it. in many cases, this is what I received the assignment in, and then I would take the time to convert this format into the hybrid notation system that both my instructor and I could understand. I feel that the main disadvantage of using any of those editors are other resources is that the document would have to go through more than one device and a few different programs before finally arriving in the instructor's hands or inbox. Thus the system that I ended up using was both readable and timely.

Thank you,
Daniel

sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 17, 2016, at 5:39 PM, Sabra Ewing <sabra1023 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I did the same thing you did, but it is still very difficult for sighted people to read. They need things formatted spatially. Also, some of the symbols don't look the same.
> 
> Sabra Ewing
> 
>> On Aug 17, 2016, at 3:18 PM, Daniel Gillen via Blindmath <blindmath at nfbnet..org> wrote:
>> 
>> Does the student in question use a Braille note-taker such as a HumanWare BrailleNote Apex, HIMS Braille Sense U2, etc., for taking notes and completing assignments in non-STEM courses? As a user of Braille note-takers for many years through high school and college (I'm currently completing degrees in physics and music as of this year), I have devised a method for producing semi-standard math notation in print that involves using computer Braille code and extended Unicode characters on a BrailleNote Apex. Any document with math notation written in this system can simply be printed out or e-mailed to a sighted instructor to evaluate. In a nutshell, the system is sort of a hybrid between the Nemeth Code, LaTeX, and standard math notation. Part of the effective implementation of the system also involved assigning special dot combinations (using a custom eight-dot Computer Braille table) to the math Unicode symbols such as infinity (∞), element of (∈), or the integral sign (∫), as well as the upper- and lower-case Greek alphabet. The similarity with LaTeX is evident by the use of a caret (^) for the beginning of a superscript expression and an underscore (_) for a subscript expression, with the Computer Braille double quote mark (which happens to be the dot 5 from Nemeth) used to return to the baseline (the curly braces {} don't perform their LaTeX function, instead being used as they might be found in standard notation).
>> Anyway, if the student has expressed interest in using a Braille note-taker in a STEM course, they and their sighted instructor(s) may find the key to modified math symbols (which I have created and revised over the years), along with some little examples, to be helpful. Please let me know if this is the case.
>> 
>> Thank you,
>> Daniel
>> 
>>> On Aug 17, 2016 3:26 PM, Russell Solowoniuk via Blindmath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote: