Math and Science Equations

Here are some helpful hints:

• Check with your department to find acceptable equation editors.
• Check with your book publisher to make sure all products are accessible.
• Lane’s Center for Accessible Resources (CAR) may be able to help you if you have a Letter of Accommodation.
• Always save your source files. You may need them to convert to a different format.
• If you have images of equations, they should be converted to a format (MathType) that can be read by a screen reader.
• If you are making a video, read out all the equations and notation instead of saying “this equation here.”

For additional information on making math accessible, review the following video, narrated by Mario Eiland from Portland Community College: 

Why Make Accessible Math?

This video will help you gain an understanding of how screen reader users access math content and why it is important to make math accessible.

Helpful Resources when working with Equations:

• How to use the Equation Editor in Google Docs: The equation editor in Google Docs is based on LaTeX syntax and recognizes similar shortcuts.
• MathType for Google Workspace: Note that MathType was free for educational institutions until August 2020. You will need a subscription. There is a 30-day free trial when you first use MathType. Check with your department to see what is available.
• Writing an equation or formula in Microsoft Word: Using the new equation editor in the most recent version of Microsoft Word.
• New to Word for Microsoft 365 subscribers is the ability to type math using the LaTeX syntax: Using LaTeX within the new equation editor in Microsoft Word.

It is possible for accessibility issues to arise when using equations in Word. The equation editor combines characters and symbols from other languages in formats that aren’t seen in other subjects. It is important to be aware of how you are using the tool and ensure accessibility.

MathType for Windows/Mac: Introduction

The guidelines below will demonstrate how to write equations that can be read by screen readers using Microsoft Word’s Equation Editor. 

Guidelines for Accessible Math Documents:

• Use the equation editor to compose equations in MS Word
• Be sure all your equations are presented in the default option of “professional”
• Distribute the whole document. Copy and pasting the equation will not work properly. 

Inserting Preset Equations:

1. Click the Insert tab and navigate to the Equation selection located at the far right of the screen.
2. Click the arrow directly below Equation opening a drop-down menu.
3. The drop-down menu provides equation presets you can choose from.
4. Once you select your preset, a box with your equation will appear on the screen.
5. Click the box to open the editor.
6. Click elements in the equation to edit and/or replace them.

Creating Unique Equations:

1. Click the Insert tab and navigate to the Equation selection located at the far right of the screen.
2. Click Equation to open a blank equation box.
3. Click the box and use the tools at the top of your screen to create your equation. Be aware that what you type in this box will register as a math function.
4. Click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the equation box to open a drop-down menu.
5. Click Save as New Equation to save this equation for further use. 
   Tip: If you create an equation and use it frequently, then the first time you create it, use variables and save it to use as a template.

Checking for Accessibility:

1. Click the View tab on the Ribbon bar. (Far right tab.)
2. Click on Learning Tools.
3. Highlight the equation you would like to check.
4. Click Read Aloud and listen to the equation.

Correcting Accessibility:

• If you hear a portion of your equation read in an unexpected way, consider another way to write that element:
• For example, binomial coefficients (n) are read as ‘n atop k’ instead of ‘n choose k' k n!
• You can rewrite it in a separate equation editor as k!(n-k)!