Adaptation of Mathematical Tests for Visually Impaired Students in Higher Education – Daily Practice Mgr. Lukáš Másilko Mgr. Ondřej Nečas

Provides service for: visually impaired students hearing impaired students mobility impaired students students with other disabilities

Adaptation of mathematical texts for visually impaired students Books – printed form, combination of technologies, best quality, long time Studying materials (short texts, teacher’s presentations, homework) – printed or electronic form, average quality, quick adaptation Tests and examinations – both printed AND electronic form, best quality, very quick adaptation

Test adaptation: common example the teacher insists on one term for all students in many cases the teacher (for some reason) cannot provide us the assignment more then one hour before the test starts there are several students with different disabilities in the class the less time we have for the adaptation the more complex elements are in the test

Step 1: Getting the base electronic version (to convert to other formats) Ask the teacher – might be unsuccessful (no response, unusable format,...) Scan from the paper or convert the unusable format Rewrite it Question: Which base format to use?

Technologies used in Teiresias centre Text and mathematical formulas: –printed and embossed version BUF (Braille Universal Format) – the tool developed in Teiresias centre for printing mathematics according to the Czech Braille 6-dot rules

Technologies used in Teiresias centre Text and mathematical formulas: –electronic version plain text – only for simple expressions (x 1  x1;  (a + b) / 2; etc.) BlindMoose – the authoring tool developed in Teiresias centre for working with mathematics – the Czech Braille 6-dot rules are supported Lambda – the European authoring tool for working with mathematics –8-dot Braille display and speech output are supported –Lambda files are independent on national platforms

Technologies used in our centre Graphics: –embossed version Swell paper (Zy-fuse Heater) – printed mainly with Corel Draw X3 Thermoformed plastic (Maxi-Form) – matrices prepared by hand or cut from plastic with cutting plotter

Technologies used in our centre Graphics: –embossed version Dot graphics (ViewPlus SpotDot) not commonly used yet –electronic version none

Step 2: Producing text and mathematics Possible conversions: Simple LaTeX (no commands, no formating)  BUF BUF  BlindMoose LaTeX, MathML  Lambda Question: Prepare two LaTeX versions – no formating vs. adding commands to enlarge? Formats: Braille print: BUF Braille electronic: BlindMoose or Lambda Enlarged print: LaTeX or Word Enlarged electronic: PDF (read only), Word (editable)

Step 3: Adapting pictures both printed and electronic versions Possible solutions in Braille: text description text scheme dot graphics one level graphics (swell paper) multilevel graphics (thermoform) 3D model printed version only Question: Which technology to use?

Step 3: Adapting pictures Possible solutions of enlarged version: enlarging printed picture by copier – fastest way enlarging by optic or electronic magnifiers enlarging by software magnifiers not possible in some cases (thin lines, small labels, low contrast...) redrawing – often faster then anything else Big pictures, schemes or tables sometimes needs to be divided or printed on larger paper format

Step 4: Putting all together Printed and embossed version: Pictures glued into the text (more work, a proper gap must be left in the text) Pictures on the separate pages or in the appendix Electronic version for Braille users: Embossed pictures provided separately, navigation needed Enlarged electronic version: Pictures in the text Pictures in separate files – often in the editable version

Step 5: Performing the test Braille users: Work with a separate file or write into the assignment Write in plain text or use some special authoring tool (BlindMoose, Lambda) Enlarged print users: Write by hand on the paper or to the printed assignment Work on computer in plain text using various mathematic notation (LaTeX, MatLab,...) Work on computer using special authoring tool (MS Equation, Lambda, Mathematica, Maple,...) How the student will solve particular tasks and write answers?

Step 6: Adapting the student’s solution to be readable by the teacher Special format must be converted to common (PDF, etc.) Output is often dependent on knowledge of Braille mathematical notation (it is necessary to “convert” it) Visually impaired students make unusual kind of mistakes Question: How to force teachers to learn Braille?

Thank you. Questions? Proposals? Your (different) ways how to do it (simplify it)?