[BlindMath] VI MSc Physics student

[Melanie Parsons]

Good afternoon,



We have a MSc Theoretical Physics student who is significantly visually impaired and is struggling to access accurate content.



While his UG degree in Physics seemed to pose no real issues in terms of accessibility when relying on NVDA and LaTeX, he is now finding the more complex maths/formulas etc. a lot more challenging to work with.



It's been a challenge to find accessible texts that render the maths accurately (brackets can be misplaced etc), especially when faced with new math equations. We have suggested the student consider working with a Reader who has the relevant subject background to help to explain the maths and to hep the student make sense of the LaTeX output. However, the student is not very keen on this suggestion.



There is also a real concern at present that the usual way (and preferred way) of working for the student for exams (NVDA and LaTeX) will be too challenging (take too long and not be accurate). Academics in the School are open to and have offered alternative assessment (oral assessment) if the student would be happy to be assessed in this way.



Does anyone have any experience of working with VI MSc Physics level students and if so, would be willing to share how their students accessed materials (relevant software used etc.) and were assessed?



With thanks and best wishes,



Melanie.






**************************************

Melanie Parsons



Disability Adviser



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