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Creating Accessible Online Math
Description
In order to create accessible math for the web, you need three programs installed on your computer, namely MathType 5.2c or higher, MathPlayer, and HTML editor.
- Some key concepts you need to know before you start. HTML: It is the computer language in which
web pages are written, the math in a web page is written in the MathML language.
MathPlayer enhances Internet Explorer to display and speak mathematical notation. Visually impaired
users of Internet Explorer to use Screen Reader software like JAWS 6.0 or higher that speaks the
word on the page.
- After you have the three programs installed on your computer, open a new Word document, there should be a Mathtype menu towards the right-hand end of the Word menu bar if you have installed the programs correctly. From the MathType menu choose the Insert Display Equation command. This will open a MathType window, ready for you to start creating the equation.
Creating Math Equations for the Web
- Once you have done your equation, close the MathType window and choose "Yes" in response to the
dialog that asks if you want to save changes. This will insert your equation into the Word document
in "displayed" form.
- Save and name the Word document. Then choose Export or Publish to MathPage command on Word's MathType menu. There are two major methods to create your accessible math courses for the web, which are addressed below.
Exporting a Web Page for Internet Explorer
- You'll see the Title has already been filled with the document's Title property. Under Equations,
select MathML using, and then choose MathPlayer (IE Behavior). Under Target Browser, select IE 5
or newer.
- Click OK. You default browser will open, displaying a page which should look almost identical
to your original Word document. The accessible math webpage is done.
- You can also click the equation for enlargement using the MathZoom feature and click again back
to its original font size.
- You can also right click on the equation, and choose 'Speak Expression', the computer will speak
aloud the equation.
- In order to view the math equation, you need to download free MathPlayer.
Exporting a Web Page for Multiple Browsers
- Choose MathType from the menu bar and choose Export to MathPage.
- In the Title field, enter a title for the Web page. You can also select where the resulting file will be placed.
- Uncheck the checkbox Display in default browser.
- Select the radio button marked MathML using: and choose the XHTML + MathML option from the drop-down list.
- Click OK.
Recommendations and Considerations
- If you publish your MathPage using the option of "MathPlayer (IE behavior)", then only people
with Internet Explorer browser can view the math content you created. Using this option will prevent
others who do not use IE browser from accessing your MathType content.
- If you publish your MathPage using the option of "XHTML+MathML", this will serve much broad audience
who use browsers other than Internet Explorer, such as Netscape, Firefox. This option will work with
all the major browsers and is also our recommendation.
- In order to get the best view of MathML fonts for Netscape and Firefox, you can go to Mozillla
website to download and install the appropriate fonts. The website address is listed below:
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/mathml/fonts
If you use Internet Explorer, please install MathPlayer to view math equation on the web.