Writing Math Content for Screen Readers

What is a Screen-Reader?

Most blind individuals will use software on their computers called Screen-Readers. This allows them to have everything on their computer read out-loud to them, and to interact with those elements. Most Screen-Reader users will use their keyboard only, to be able to identify and interact with headings, links, images, content, etc.

In order for those elements to read correctly, work needs to be done on the backend to codify those elements correct. The most common example are images, which need an 'Alt-text', or meta data coded behind the image telling the Screen-Reader what it should say when it hits the image.

There are 3 main Screen-Readers that Blind individuals typically use on a Desktop/Laptop device: JAWS (Windows), NVDA (Windows), VoiceOver (MacOS). We've included how that screen reader will read the following equations below to further highlight difficulties student may have.

Considerations when writing equations

Most people with use a typeface called LaTex to write their math content digitally. Our office recommends you continue to use this tool, as it allows us to convert that into Accessible Math or Nemeth Braille (Braille for math content) with the most ease.

While the LaTex allows individual parts of math to be read, like numbers, integral signs, etc sometimes the grammer of the equation is not read out correctly. There are a number of reason for this including, but not limited to, browser support and the Screen-Reader itself. There is not much you as a content creator, of the end-user can do about this, and so it's important that the following considerations are made with HOW you write you math equations.

Vowel as variables

Example: $\frac{AY}{2}$

In this example JAWS will read this as 'AYYE' over 2, which can be misinterpreted as $( \frac{A}{2} )$.

Recommendations: It is better to stick with constenants, such as XYZ. This would read as Fraction X Y over 2.

Fractions

Example: $\frac{2}{x} + \frac{1}{x-2}$

Jaws	2 over x plus 1 over x minus 2
NVDA	clickable, interaction not supported

In this example this could be misinterpreted as $\frac{2}{x} + \frac{1}{x} -2$

Recommendations: Use brackets to further demonstrate the items that are in the numerator and opperator when possible. For example: $\frac{2}{x} + \frac{1}{(x-2)}$

Exponents

Example: $3^{x+2} = 10$

Jaws	3 to the power of x plus 2 equals 10
NVDA	clickable, interaction not supported

In this example this could be misinterpreted as $3^{x} +2 = 10$

Recommendations: Use brackets to further demonstrate the items that are grouped together when possible. For example: $3^{(x+2)} = 10$

Square Roots

Example: $\sqrt{3x +2}$

Jaws	Square root of 3 x + 2
NVDA	clickable, interaction not supported

In this example this could be misinterpreted as $\sqrt{3x} +2$ or $\sqrt{3}x +2$

Recommendations: Use brackets to further demonstrate the items that are grouped together when possible. For example: $\sqrt{(3x +2)} $