[BlindMath] Braille Input with NVDA

[Michael Whapples]

I am on the same page regarding the text based formats. Specifically to 
Peter's conclusions. I get what you say regarding the backslashes, 
braces, etc in LaTeX, I guess that is where I feel ASCIIMath has its 
advantage. However I do appreciate ASCIIMath is a subset and has its 
limitations and sometimes LaTeX is needed for advanced cases. Also with 
8-dot Braille and the 1-to-1 mapping I do find myself doing a lot more 
spatial layout in code.


For personal working where the writing is not to be read by anyone else, 
then there is no need to follow a strict official code, you can always 
have your own shorthand or other modifications. This applies both 
electronically or on paper.


Finally the big thing with this is the freedom it gives. You aren't 
locked to a specific screen reader, in fact it works about everywhere, 
from Linux text consoles, to Windows or Macs and even on mobile devices 
should you feel the need. Also its been working and accessible for ages, 
LaTeX more than 20 years, ASCIIMath from what I can tell first got 
discussed in 2007. This is what I meant in my independence comment, you 
aren't reliant on others or specific tools being available to 
communicate. Even without the ASCIIMath JavaScript to create the 
presentation MathML, its probably readable enough in code form by most 
people who understand the maths.


Michael Whapples

On 29/04/2026 02:56, Peter Rayner via BlindMath wrote:
> I completely endorse the pragmatism of JG's approach but my use case
> plus my limited capabilities have me arriving at a different answer.
>> I also think context matters. I have not created any MS Word or Power Point files in the last decade.
> Likewise, I only generate upstream text-based content, org-mode by preference
> and LaTeX when required.
>> I do watch what others are doing, just in case things change and somehow things improve enough to make me revisit my self-imposed choices. I doubt anyone would say that the state of Braille codes for maths are at an totally acceptable standard today. The problem of what gets put in vs what gets put out is just one area of shortcomings that if I'm honest, would seriously compromise my ability to be employed in my current job.
> Again I agree. I do not expect  semantically accurate and presentable
> automated translation of braille mathematics into visual form will be
> reliable.
>> So, to the die hard Braille code for maths people, what is it that you think will ensure the ongoing relevance of codes which are only used by blind people?
> For me it's the need to do mathematics rather than present it. I don't
> find brailled LaTeX compact enough to reveal the symbolic
> relationships necessary to transform one algebraic expression into
> another. I will still use spatial layout to support this when the
> going gets especially tough. I accept this as an indictment of my
> cognitive capacity but it is what it is. Braille maths and braille
> labels have been the only uses for my Perkins for the last 25 years.
> regards
> Peter
>