3.7 L^aT_eX: Speech and Braille

None of the Braille translation methods tested could completely transform documents of any level of complexity. We therefore provide information on those which do not lose information, retaining the underlying L^aT_eX. A copy of the base L^aT_eX  source and any files to which it refers would need to be provided to the user. It is important to recall that the user will have access to the L^aT_eX  source and hence comments in the L^aT_eX  will be available to them.

The L^aT_eX-access project provides real time translation of a line of L^aT_eX  to Nemeth Braille (to be read on a refreshable Braille display) and speech. A matrix browser enables reading of larger matrices. Please note that only a limited set of symbols and structures are defined by the L^aT_eX-access scripts however, there is support for user defined L^aT_eX  commands and users are able to add to the symbol and command lists more easily than in other software we tested. The L^aT_eX-access scripts are available from http://latex-access.sourceforge.net/.

Some students may prefer to use a screenreader but to read the L^aT_eX  source directly in Braille rather than a Braille mathematics code. They may find the following useful:

• LaTeXLex cleans up L^aT_eX  source to produce a ’human readable’ L^aT_eX  which is easier to listen to and read in Braille. Available from: http://mesarhameed.info/projects/latexlex;

• ChattyInfty: is an editor for mathematical documents with voice output, where equations are completely transformed they can be navigated and are easier to listen to than the raw L^aT_eX. Braille of the underlying L^aT_eX  is available on a Braille display. ChattyInfty is available from http://www.sciaccess.net/en/ChattyInfty/.

Both of these pieces of software transformed all test files retaining the raw L^aT_eX  where no useful transformation was available. Thus, assuming the student can read L^aT_eX  none of the document is lost.