[nfbcs] College Math

Sat Jan 30 01:46:26 UTC 2016

What strategies would you recommend to a new nemeth reader for reading math?

As others have said, do not read the big text book. That is kind of like reading the entire English dictionary when trying to learn English. Start with the basics and build from there. Think about what math symbols you would have used in elementary school and start with learning those. Then slowly add more bit by bit.

I used to look at math visually. I am here for training now at LCB. I am learning nonvisual techniques and I am reading braille with an electronic display.
Since I used to look at an entire problem all at once, now how can I look at a problem in its entirety using nonvisual techniques?

As others have said, you cannot look at the entire problem. However, if it is easier, you could request the math in hard copy so that you could move between the lines easier.

In regards to math text books, I can read text better using audio but then equations are thrown in with the text. What is the best way to handle a math text book? I have had a book with the theory all in one file and then links to separate files with the equations. Is this the best way or are there better techniques?

Different strokes for different folks. I know where you are coming from. When I was college, I listened to most of my reading assignments. However, math was the one subject that I absolutely had to have in Braille. I do not know what all is available. If you can learn LaTeX, then go for it. There are also programs that will read the actual symbols, such as MathPlayer, but I do not know how they work.

how might latex and math ML be used in reading math?

I would not necessarily recommend it, unless you can learn that sqrt means square root and a million other abbreviations. Also, LaTeX makes heavy use of braces and brackets. You miss or add one, you have just ruined your entire file. That is, if you plan to convert it to PDF. I have found that it is much easier to keep track of braces, brackets, and parentheses using Braille than speech.

what programs should I use and with which screen readers? I have JAWS, NVDA, iOS, a focus forty braille display, are there better tools?

First, I think that you need to decide how you want to both read and write your math. There are different tools for writing math, include a few that back translate Nemeth.

When math problems are read during lectures, what accommodations do I need to request? How do I access handwritten notes from the TA or note taker?

Tell the professor ahead of time that you are going to be in the class and have the DRC make you a letter that explains the accommodations that you need. The professor should be able to provide the DRC with any materials from class, the textbooks, other class material, and the homework assignments. If necessary, you should be able to request a note taker, who should then give the notes to the DRC for transcription into your preferred format.

Nicole
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Syed Rizvi via nfbcs
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2016 7:11 AM
To: nfbcs
Cc: Syed Rizvi
Subject: [nfbcs] College Math

Hello All,

I am currently a student at LCB and am headed back to college in the fall. I am pursuing a degree in information sciences. I have some questions in regards to math below and I was hoping to find some answers. Thank you all so much for your input.

I am currently using a big nemeth text book, called “Learning the Nemeth Braille code for teachers and students” by Ruth Creg, transcribed in 1991, adopted by Bana in 1987. Are there more condensed materials or better tools for learning nemeth?