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Accessible Math Languages & Tools for Content Presentation
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This table was created based on a framework set up by Katherine Springer, Sara Shunkwiler, Toni Picker and Lisa Brizzo (Johns Hopkins University).
Updated in March 2024 by Baiyun Chen, Barkha Amarlal Chainani, Kylee Woodland, Roslyn Miller, Sandeep Yechuri, Tian Tian (University of Central Florida).
Reviewed by Jeffrey Kuan (Texas A&M University), Katherine Springer, Sara Shunkwiler (Johns Hopkins University) and Anthony Anderson (Texthelp).
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 .
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Built-in Equation EditorLaTeX LanguageMathML LanguageMathType Equation EditorMathPix Conversion Tool
Equatio Equation Editor & Conversion Tool
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DescriptionIs the built-in equation editor accessbile?LaTeX is not natively accessible to assistive technology but can be easily converted to accessible visuals using Canvas, Word, MathType, Equatio, and other equation editors.MathML is a text-based XML markup language designed for creating accessible math equations.MathType is an equation editor that works with Word, PowerPoint, Google Workspace and a variety of LMS.Mathpix is an AI-powered application designed to convert handwritten documents or text, images into accessible text.Equatio is an equation editor that enables both students and instructors to speak, draw, or type problems and equations directly onto their devices. It can also be used in file conversions.
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CostNo additional cost on top of the applicationFreeFree MathML editors availableIndividual $61.95 per user/year; organization price availableFreemium. Pro $49.90/year; organization price availableIndividual $160 per user/year; group $16 per user/year; organization price available
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OutputN/ALaTeX can be converted to accessible visuals in applications such as Canvas, Word, MathType or Equatio; and typed directly into these apps or copied and pasted.MathML can create accessible equations in applications such as Canvas, Equatio, or MathType; and typed directly into these apps or copied and pasted.MathType Output Options: MathML; LaTeX; alt text is auto-generated in Word; MathType objects in PPT. Equation outputs includes LaTeX ,MathML, ASCII codes; when equations are embedded within text snippets, the output is Text, with equations marked as LaTeX. Content can be copied into Word or any application that reads markdown. File types supported: PDF, TXT, JPG, PNG, MD.Equatio can create accessible math equations with alt text using math-to-speech, speech input, handwriting and typing. Output Options: Image with alt text; LaTeX; MathML; HTML. Alt text is auto-generated in Word. Screenshot reader tool reads math aloud with options for LaTeX and MathML codes.
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CanvasYes. The native Canvas equation editor is LaTeX based. Recommended method for creating accessible equations and formulas directly in Canvas.Yes. You can input LaTeX directly into the Canvas equation editor. The output is an image with alt text.Yes. You can directly input MathML into the HTML code for a Canvas page.Yes. You can directly insert equations using MathType plug-in. You can copy an equation from MathType and insert into the HTML code for a Canvas page. However, the conversion process may not always be 100% accurate.Yes. LaTeX codes can be directly copied into the equation editor; MathML codes can be directly pasted into the HTML code for Canvas pages.Yes. You can directly insert equations from Equatio as an image and caption needs to be copied from Equatio; copy LaTeX from Equatio and insert into Canvas editor; copy MathML and insert into HTML code fro the Canvas page.
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WordYes, with addon, such as MathCAT or alt text can be added. But only if you provide the file as a Word doc, rather than a PDF.Yes. You can input LaTeX directly into the Word equation editor. The output is an accessible visual.Yes. You can input MathML directly into the Word equation editor.Yes. You can directly insert equations using MathType plug-in. Only accessible if you provide the file as a Word doc, not a PDF.Yes. LaTeX codes can be directly copied into the equation editor. MathML can also be copied and pasted within Word.Yes. Equatio inserts the equation as an image with alt text. You can also copy the LaTeX and MathML code from Equatio to insert into Word equation editor.
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PowerPointNo. The built-in equation editor does not produce equations that are able to be accurately read by assistive technology. It does not work with LaTeX or MathML codes.No. You can input LaTeX code in the equation editor using MathType and IguanaTex. Equations created using the PPT Equation Editor is not accurately readable by assistive technology.No. You can input MathML code in the equation editor using MathType and IguanaTex. Equations created using the PPT Equation Editor is not accurately readable by assistive technology.Maybe. 1) Using Windows MathType 7: MathType equations appear as MathType Objects. They flag an error for not having alt text, but do not NEED alt text. The equation is read correctly as MathML, and additional alt text means it is read twice. 2) Using MathType add-in: MathType directly works with PowerPoint, but equations are created as imagese without alt text using the MathType add-in. Alt text can be manually added.No. LaTeX and MathML codes from MathPix can be added to third-party plugin equation editor. But equestions are created without alt text.Yes. Equatio directly works with PowerPoint, and equations are created with alt text using the Windows Equatio desktop client. Alt text needs to be verified by subject matter expert.
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PDFNo. There is no built-in equation editor in Adobe Acrobat. In properly-tagged PDF, assistive technology can correctly read an equation image with alt text.No. There is no option to input LaTeX natively. Equations can be edited in Word and exported as PDF. Content created using the Word/PPT Equation Editor is not accurately readable by assistive technology in PDF. Accessibility packages are available for PDF*.No. There is no option to input MathML natively. Equations can be edited in Word and exported as PDF. Content created using the Word/PPT Equation Editor is not accurately readable by assistive technology in PDF.No. MathType does not directly work with Adobe Acrobat. Images of equations with alt text can be added to PDF and correctly read by assistive technology.No. There is no option to add LaTeX, MathML or other markdown codes in PDF files.No. Equatio does not directly work with Adobe Acrobat. Images of equations with alt text can be correctly read by assistive technology.
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Link to this table:https://go.ucf.edu/AccessibleMath
* Contact Dr. Jeffrey Kuan <jkuan@tamu.edu> for PDF accessibility packages.
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