# LaTeX

## Bridge to Accessible Mathematical Presentation

#### Presentation by Ameena Ghoston

Our Needs

• Accessible, general mechanism to communicate mathematical work in print
• A tool allowing users to focus on content and not presentation
• A tool that works with screen readers, Braille output devices and notetakers
• Low or zero cost
• Platform independent

How does LaTeX Help the Blind?

• Content not presentation
• What you type is what you get
• Does the formatting for you
• Doesn't need a fancy tool
• No accessibility concerns
• It's free!

Being Fair : Drawbacks of LaTeX

• Needs to be processed
• Learning curve
• Still needs some sighted review

Examples: Basic Math

$$\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$

Examples : Words with Math

Let $\mathbf{u}$,$\mathbf{v}$ and $\mathbf{w}$ be three vectors in ${\mathbf R}^3$. The volume~$V$ of the parallelepiped with corners at the points $\mathbf{0}$, $\mathbf{u}$, $\mathbf{v}$, $\mathbf{w}$, $\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{v}$, $\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{w}$, $\mathbf{v}+\mathbf{w}$ and $\mathbf{u}+\mathbf{v}+\mathbf{w}$ is given by the formula $V = (\mathbf{u} \times \mathbf{v}) \cdot \mathbf{w}.$

Examples : Higher Math

$$\left(\sum a_i^2\right)^{1/2}$$

$\Theta(s) = \int_0^\infty \theta(t)e^{-st}\,dt = \mathcal{L} \{\theta(t)\}$

Considerations: When To LaTeX

• What hardware is available?
• What accessibility tools are available?
• Ability and Readiness of the user.