Have you ever created a document with mathematical equations that wasn't accessible to students using screen readers? This can be a common issue, especially with PDFs generated from LaTeX.

This guide explains why equations might not be read aloud properly and provides a simple workaround to ensure your documents are accessible for everyone.

The Accessibility Challenge

For documents to be accessible by assistive technologies like screen readers, they need to be properly tagged. Unfortunately, LaTeX doesn't include these tags when exporting PDFs. Additionally, built-in equation editors in Word and Blackboard often don't translate well to screen readers.

This means that while the screen reader might recognize individual numbers and letters in the equation, it won't be able to read the equation as a whole (e.g., "E to the X equals..." instead of the intended meaning).

The Workaround: Images and Alt Text

Here's a simple solution to ensure your equations are read out loud correctly:

1. Export your LaTeX code as an image: Save the equation as a PNG or JPG file.
2. Insert the image into your document: Add the image file to your PowerPoint, Word document, or Blackboard editor.
3. Add Alt Text: This is a crucial step. Write a clear description of the equation in the "Alt Text" field. This is what the screen reader will announce instead of the image itself. 

Good Examples:

If your equation represents exponential growth, your Alt Text might be "E to the X equals, exponential growth formula."

Do not use Alt Text if the equation is lengthy, more than 125 characters. Create a separate page for a longer description of the equation. Reference the section.

Lastly, when saving your final Word document as a PDF, choose an option optimized for accessibility (if available). 

Resources:

Attached: Math Guide by Darren Evans

GSA: Creating Accessible Equations and Formulas

For additional information, contact:

Debbie Dramstad

Web Accessibility and Application Specialist