[BlindMath] Calc with Analytical Geometry

Fri Jun 5 16:54:55 UTC 2026

Latest version of NVDA screen reader has math reading capability built 
in. It uses MathCat, which used to be an nvda add-on, but has now been 
incorporated into the screen reader. There is no need to use MathPlayer, 
or any external application, to read MathML.

On 6/4/2026 1:31 PM, avery ingram wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I just read this with AI. I don't know how accurate it is, and it might make following graphs significantly harder for some problems.
>
> If the goal is to completely bypass the friction of the screenshot/EquatIO middleman while coping with Knewton Alta’s dynamic refreshes, there is fantastic news: **Knewton Alta has built-in, native solutions specifically engineered to solve this exact problem.**
> Because Knewton partnered directly with Desmos and designed their backend architecture for accessibility, a student can interface with the math smoothly without external image-ripping extensions.
> ## 1. Native Knewton Alta "Accessibility Mode" (The Code Level Fix)
> Rather than trying to read visual pixels or raw text with a third-party extension, the student can toggle Knewton Alta’s native **Accessibility Mode** directly inside their account settings.
> ### How it Bypasses the Refresh Problem
> When a user turns this on, Alta’s rendering engine (MathJax) automatically forces the math equations to load as pure **MathML** (Mathematical Markup Language) elements directly in the page's code structure.
>   * **The Screen Reader Edge:** Unlike flat text or images, MathML is natively understood by modern screen readers. Every time Knewton Alta updates a question or dynamically adapts the content based on a previous answer, the screen reader automatically detects the new MathML block and reads the updated calculus formula aloud, seamlessly and perfectly.
>   * **The Setup:**
>     * **On Windows:** Use **Google Chrome** paired with **JAWS** (works out of the box) or **NVDA** (requires installing the free **MathPlayer 4** plugin).
>     * **On Mac:** Use **Safari** paired with **VoiceOver**.
> ## 2. Direct, Native Desmos Integration
> The best part of Knewton Alta's platform design is that **their graphing questions are built directly on top of Desmos.**
> The student does not need to copy equations out of Alta and paste them into a separate Desmos tab. For interactive graphing questions within an Alta assignment:
>   * **Embedded Controls:** The embedded graph is fully keyboard-navigable.
>   * **Native Sonification:** Hitting Alt + T directly on the Knewton Alta question page activates the Desmos Audio Trace feature right there inside the browser frame. As Alta updates the problems, the embedded Desmos player updates in sync, allowing the student to "hear" the new calculus curves instantly without managing a second tab.
> ## 3. Relying on Alt-Text and Long Descriptions
> For static or instructional diagrams that *cannot* be turned into a live formula (such as conceptual geometry graphics or visual explainers), Knewton Alta's platform guidelines mandate that content creators provide comprehensive **Alternative Text (Alt-Text)** and **Long Descriptions**.
> When the page adapts to a conceptual question:
>   * The screen reader will bypass the visual rendering completely and read a highly descriptive textual breakdown of the graph's geometry (e.g., *"An image showing a curve starting at (-5, 0), increasing to a local maximum at (0, 4), and decreasing monotonically toward the x-axis as x approaches infinity."*).
> ## Summary of the Ultimate, Fluid Workflow
> To completely erase the "refresh barrier" and eliminate the hassle of extra paid software like EquatIO, the student should set up their learning environment like this:
>   1. **Configure the Account:** Go to the Knewton Alta account menu, open Accessibility Settings, and toggle on **"Enable accessibility settings such as MathML support"**.
>   2. **Optimize the Software Combo:** Run Google Chrome with JAWS, or NVDA + MathPlayer 4.
>   3. **Use the Native Shortcuts:** When a graphing element appears on screen, use Alt + T to hear it directly within the assignment page.
>
> Best,
>
> Avery
>
> On Jun 4, 2026, at 9:34 AM, avery ingram <avery8ingram at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I have a few ideas that might work, some perhaps better than others. I don't know much about these options, but I'm glad to learn more about them if one seems more appealing than the others.
>
> The Monarch is a multi-line Braille display that can also display tactile graphics. There are similar devices on the market, but my understanding is that the Monarch is by far the best. If they have a state vocational rehabilitation program, that might be able to purchase one for the student. They could also apply for the third phase of the Monarch RISE program once the application opens up.
>
> Other ideas I can think of are a program that could turn the graphs into sound output, like higher pitches correspond to higher numerical values, or a program that would use words to describe graphs.
>
> Would you mind if I connect with you and the student? I'd be glad to do more to help, and I feel like it isn't too often that blind people take those kinds of math classes. It's always nice to connect with people doing similar things. My email is avery8ingram at gmail.com
>
> All my best,
>
> Avery
>
> On Jun 4, 2026, at 5:19 AM, Catherine Buccolo via BlindMath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Good morning,
> We have a student taking a class that is using Newton Alta, many of the features are not accessible within the platform with NVDA or JAws. For example, the graphs. Does anyone have a work around that we can use in the moment. The other issue is that Knewton Alta is adaptable meaning it assigns problem based on the student answers. Teacher is not able to give me the problems ahead of time, so I am able to make tactile graphs or make the problems accessible.
>
>
>
> Catherine Buccolo
>
> Assistant Director of Accessible Technology
>
> Student Accessibility Services
>
> University of Central Florida
>
> Catherine.buccolo at ucf.edu<mailto:Catherine.buccolo at ucf.edu>
>
> Student Accessibility Services<https://access.ucf.edu/student-accessibility-services/>
>
>
>
>
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