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STEM Specific Terminology

Overview

This page will highlight some STEM specific terminology. It is important to understand the differences between the terms as it will become confusing to dialog about how to make STEM content accessible. 

You have a choice as to how to engage with the material in this lesson. Remember, the key concepts are always addressed in the text. If you need more info or learn by watching, the videos and resources are great supplements.

Read: Terminology


MathML

is a term for Math Mark Up Language. It is a specification for mathematical and scientific content on the Web and beyond. Essentially, it was designed for the digital world and it's adoption is growing. 

LaTeX

is a document preparation system for high-quality typesetting designed for the scientific and technical communities. Designed for print, not the digital world. LaTeX is the de facto standard for the communication and publication of scientific documents. Released 1985.  

Nemeth Braille

the de facto standard for teaching and doing mathematics in Braille in the USA. It is Braille code for encoding mathematical and scientific notation linearly using standard six-dot Braille cells for tactile reading by the visually impaired. Developed in the 1940s.

Unified English Braille (UEB)

an attempt to standardize English Braille internationally. Previously, English Braille has nuances based on the country of usage (i.e. US verses UK). The overall goal is to make acquisition of reading, writing, and teaching skill in the use of braille quicker, easier, and more efficient.

Tactile Graphics

a means of conveying non-textual information to people who are blind or visually impaired, and may include tactile representations of pictures, maps, graphs, diagrams, and other images.  

MathType

is a software/tool that will generate both LaTeX and MathML. It is both a standalone product, or a MS plug-in for Windows and Mac operating systems (although some features are not yet available in the Mac version as of October 1, 2018. Has a free trial available. 

MathPlayer

is a software/tool that now enables math to be spoken in assistive technology products. It is often used to help "fill-in-the-gap" when the assistive technology cannot handle accessible STEM content alone. Free software. 

MathJax

a JavaScript library that can be used to display math in any browser properly. This is necessary because not all browsers will display math properly without help. 

MS Equation Editor

a Microsoft product designed to manually add or edit equations. Equations produced with Equation Editor are OMML. 

OMML

is an acronym for Microsoft's Office Math Markup Language, the language Microsoft Office uses to encode equations. The built-in equation editor within Microsoft Office produces OMML. OMML does not produce accessible STEM content. 

Central Access Reader (CAR)

a text-to-speech software that will read MathML in Word documents. It will also export an HTML version that can be used with screen readers. Produced by Central WA University. Free software. 

Watch: Experts Discussing Accessible Math 

Tools for Creating Accessible Math (59 mins)

Geoff Freed and Bryan Gould of WGBH's National Center on Accessible Media are joined by math accessibility researcher Steve Noble to demonstrate the latest and greatest tools for creating and reading accessible math. Published in 2013, there may be some elements that are out of date.

This video (and any quality STEM accessibility presentation) will include at least some of the aforementioned terms. Due to it's length, I found the segments most applicable for this lesson and listed them below. 

4:05 Overview of Math Access and MathML

8:40 Speaking Math and Issues

Explore: Math and Blindness