JAWS^® and Fusion^® enable students to read and study math problems contained in web pages and Microsoft Word documents using both speech and braille. JAWS provides spoken, natural-language descriptions of math expressions using the same terms a teacher would use to explain them in a classroom. This enables students using JAWS or Fusion to read mathematical expressions as their sighted peers do.

To interact with math, JAWS uses MathCAT to translate math content from web pages and Word documents to speech and Braille as well as offer numerous customization options. Currently, JAWS MathCAT support is only available for English.

Math On Web Pages

JAWS supports reading math content in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox that is created using MathML. MathML is a language for including mathematical content on web pages, enabling browsers to present math and science equations and formulas as they would appear on paper. Visit the W3 website to learn more about MathML and the tools used to add it to web pages.

When you encounter MathML on a web page, JAWS describes the expression, followed by the message “math content.” If you are using a braille display and JAWS is configured for Contracted Braille, the message “Math” is displayed followed by the expression. If the expression is too long to fit on the display, you can use the panning buttons on your display to view the rest of it. Otherwise, if JAWS is set for Computer Braille, the message “Math” is displayed followed by a message stating that Contracted Braille must be enabled to view math content. Pressing ENTER while focused on the math content opens the Math Viewer where you can explore the expression in greater detail in both speech and braille. Check out the MathML Examples page on the Freedom Scientific website to see how JAWS reads math content.

Note: While not directly related to MathML, those involved with Statistical analysis may want to consider checking out FSCast 183 which demonstrates some accessible tools for doing statistics.

Math in Microsoft Word Documents

In Microsoft Word, JAWS and Fusion supports reading math equations inserted into documents using one of the following methods:

• Math inserted using the options in the Symbols group of the Insert tab in the ribbon. JAWS does not require any third-party software or plugins be installed in order to read math inserted this way. Check out this article on the TeachUcomp website for instructions on inserting math into Word documents using this method. The Microsoft Support website also contains information on inserting mathematical symbols.
• Math inserted using the JAWS Braille Math Editor. A braille display that includes a keyboard, such as the Focus, is required in order to use this feature.
• Math inserted using MathType, available as a purchase from Wiris.com. To read math content in a Word document that was created using MathType, the MathType software must at least be installed as a trial on the computer running JAWS. Visit the Design Science website for more details about MathType.

When you encounter a math equation or formula in a Word document, JAWS reads the problem and then says, “Math Content.” You can then press the layered keystroke INSERT+SPACEBAR followed by EQUALS to open the JAWS Math Viewer so you can study the equation in greater detail. See our Native Word Sample Math document for examples of how JAWS and Fusion can enable students to access math content in Word. The math problems in this document were created using the built-in features in Word, so you do not need to install any additional software, such as MathType, to read these examples with JAWS.

Studying Equations in the Math Viewer

The JAWS Math Viewer lets you explore all of the parts of an equation in order to study it in detail. When focused on math content on a web page, press ENTER to open the current math problem in the Math Viewer. When focused on math in a Word document, use the layered keystroke INSERT+SPACEBAR followed by EQUALS.

Once the Math Viewer is open, explore its contents using the following keystrokes:

Description	Command
Move to next element	RIGHT ARROW
Move to previous element	LEFT ARROW
Zoom in on the current element to explore individual segments	DOWN ARROW
Zoom out of the current element	UP ARROW
Move between cells if focused in a table	CTRL+ARROW keys or ALT+CTRL+ARROW keys
Move back an element	BACKSPACE
Announce current location in element	SPACEBAR
Set Place Marker at current location in Math Viewer (not the same as JAWS PlaceMarkers feature on web pages)	CTRL+1 through 0 on the number row
Move to Place Marker 1 through 10	1 through 0 on the number row
Read Place Marker 1 through 10	SHIFT+1 through 0 on the number row
Exit the Math Viewer	ESC or ALT+F4

Additionally, the contents of the Math Viewer are displayed visually on the screen. As the equation is navigated, the current expression or partial expression is highlighted so a sighted teacher can easily tell what part of the expression is being spoken.

When using a Braille display, the entire expression remains on the display as you use the ARROW keys to navigate parts of the expression. However, the cursor (dots 7 and 8) moves to the start of the partial expression that gains focus. Pressing a cursor router over a term in the expression will immediately move the focus to the specific location in the expression.

Open the MathML Examples web page or the Native Word Sample Math document and try exploring the various math expressions in the Math Viewer. Remember: Pressing ENTER opens the Math Viewer when focused on math content on web pages, and pressing INSERT+SPACEBAR followed by EQUALS opens the Math Viewer when focused on math content in Word documents.

Selecting a Braille Math Code

If a refreshable braille display is connected, JAWS shows math expressions on the display using either Nemeth or Unified English Braille (UEB Math). To switch between Nemeth or UEB Math for displaying math content in the Math Viewer or Braille Math Editor, press INSERT+EQUALS. Focus display users can also press RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6 on the display’s keyboard to switch the math braille code.

Since Nemeth and UEB Math are only available in English, make sure JAWS is configured for one of the English contracted braille output modes by doing the following:

1. Press INSERT+6 on the number row to open Settings Center.
2. To apply changes to all applications, press CTRL+SHIFT+D to load the JAWS default settings. To apply changes to a specific application, select it from the Applications combo box.
3. In the Search edit box, type “Translation” without the quotes.
4. Press DOWN ARROW to move to Translation in the filtered search results in the tree view and press ENTER to move focus to the Translation group. Press RIGHT ARROW to expand the group.
5. In the Language combo box, make sure English – United States is selected.
6. In the Output combo box, make sure one of the Grade 1 or Grade 2 options is selected.
7. Select OK to save your changes and close Settings Center.

Tip: If your student is using a Freedom Scientific Focus Blue braille display, you can press DOTS 1-2-4-5-7-8 CHORD to quickly switch to contracted braille.

Entering Math Equations using the JAWS Braille Math Editor

If you have access to a Braille display that also supports typing in braille and you are familiar with the Nemeth or UEB Math code for entering and reading math content, the Braille Math Editor in JAWS and Fusion enables you to input your own equations, and in Office 365, edit existing equations in Word documents. If you are new to Nemeth or UEB Math, check out these tutorials which teach these popular Braille codes beginning with the very basics up through advanced mathematics.

To open the Math Editor, press the layered command INSERT+SPACEBAR followed by SHIFT+EQUALS (plus sign). Focus braille display users can also press DOTS 3-4-6-7 CHORD. Similar to reading math content, JAWS braille output must be set for one of the English Grade 1 or Grade 2 translation settings in order to launch the editor.

When the Math Editor opens, focus is placed into an edit field where you can immediately begin typing the equation in Nemeth or UEB Math from your braille display’s keyboard. To switch between Braille math codes, press INSERT+EQUALS, or RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6 from a Focus Braille display. As you type, a preview pane below the edit field visually displays the equation so a sighted teacher or parent can review it. Once you are finished inputting the math equation, press ENTER or choose the Accept button to close the Math Editor. If you are in Word, the equation you entered is automatically inserted into the document at your current location. The equation is also copied to the Clipboard so you can paste it in other applications.

Opening the Math Editor while focused on a math equation in a Word document displays the existing equation in the editor using the currently active Braille math code, allowing you to edit or replace it. After making any changes and pressing ENTER to close the editor, the current equation in the document is replaced by the new or modified equation.

Note: After inserting or modifying an equation in Word from the Math Editor, the blinking cursor (dots 7 and 8) on the braille display always remains at the beginning of the math content, even as you move by character with the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys. If you need to insert another line of math content, first press the END key to move to the end of the current math content and then press ENTER.

While the Math Editor is opened, you have the following additional options:

• Press CTRL+N to start a new equation.
• Press CTRL+P to preview the current equation in the Math Viewer. When finished, press ESC to return to the Math Editor.
• Press ALT+E to open the edit menu where you can copy your Braille input to the Clipboard using a specific format. MathML is the default format when copying, however, depending on the application where you intend to paste the equation, you can also choose to copy your content to LaTeX or Braille ASCII. After choosing a format to copy to, paste the equation into the specific application before pressing ENTER or selecting Accept to close the Math Editor as this always copies as MathML and will erase the current clipboard contents.

Desmos Online Graphing Calculator

The Desmos Graphing Calculator is a free online math tool widely used by teachers and students to plot equations and learn math concepts. Use it to plot data, graph functions, evaluate equations, and create classroom activities.

Visit our Desmos Online Graphing Calculator page for an overview and tutorials.