THAI VISUALLY IMPAIRED ’S REQUIREMENTS TO ACCESS MATHEMATICS VIA AN AUTOMATIC MATH READER

Wararat Wongkia, Kanlaya Naruedomkul, Nick Cercone

2010

Abstract

We present the requirements to access mathematics for the Thai visually impaired students. Blind and visually impaired (VI) students agreed to participate in an interview to determine the requirements for using a text–to–speech (TTS) system with the capability to automatically read math expressions. The interview consisted of two parts: the students’ background characteristics and the students’ difficulties in and requirement for using TTS systems to read math expressions. Our results show that the students who are blind and visually impaired had difficulties to access mathematics. The students have basic computer skills with standard software e.g., Microsoft Word. Therefore, the findings suggest that the students desire assistant technology to better access to mathematics.

References

  1. DAISY Consortium (2008). Technology Overview: What is a DTB? Retrieved December, 2008, from http:// www.daisy.org
  2. Fereira, H. & Freitas, D. (July, 2005). AudioMath: Towards automatic reading of mathematical expressions. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, USA.
  3. Freitas, D. & Kouroupetroglou, G. (2008). Speech technologies for blind and low vision persons. Technology and Disability, 20, 135-156.
  4. Gardner, J. A., Lundquist, R. & Sahyun, S. (1998). TRIANGLE: A tri-modal access program for reading, writing, and doing math. Proceedings of the 1998 CSUN International Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, USA.
  5. Gillan, D. J., Barraza, P., Karshmer, A. I. & Pazuchanics, S. (July, 2004). Cognitive analysis of equation reading: application to the development of the Math Genie. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs, LNCS 3118, France, 630-637.
  6. Karshmer, A. I., Bledsoe, C. & Stanley, P. B. (July, 2004). The architecture of a comprehensive equation browser for print impaired. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs, LNCS 3118, France, 614-619.
  7. Moço V. & Archambault D. (July, 2004). Automatic conversions of mathematical Braille: A survey of main difficulties in different languages. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs, LNCS 3118, France, 638- 643.
  8. Niyomphol, N., Tandayya, P., Nantachaipitak, W. & Intasoi, C. (May, 2008). A simple text-based method of producing math/science symbols or musical notes for use in a Thai/English Braille translation software. Proceedings of the 2nd International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology, Thailand, 0915-0930.
  9. Pavel, G. (July, 2002). REMathEx: Reader and editor of the mathematical expressions for blind students. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs, LNCS 2398, Austria, 486-493.
  10. Petkleang, S. & Tandayya, P. (March, 2005). Thai Braille translation on Nfbtrans [in Thai]. Proceedings of NSTDA Annual Conference “S&T in Thailand: Towards the Molecular Economy”, Thailand.
  11. Raman, T. V. & Gries, D. (1995). Audio formattingmaking spoken text and math comprehensible. International Journal of Speech Technology, 1, 21-31.
  12. Schweikhardt, W., Bernareggi, C., Jessel, N., Encelle, B. & Gut, M. (July, 2006). LAMBDA: A european system to access mathematics with Braille and audio synthesis. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference Computers Helping People with Special Needs, LNCS 4061, Austria, 1223-1230.
  13. Soiffer, N. (October, 2005). MathPlayer: Web-based Math Accessibility. Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computer and Accessibility, USA.
  14. Stevens, R. D. & Edwards, A. D. N. (1994). MathTalk: Usable access to mathematics. Information Technology and Disabilities, 1(4). Retrieved June, 2008, from http://people.rit.edu/easi/itd/itdv01n4/ article5.htm
  15. Tsonos, D., Kaccori, H. & Kouroupetroglou, G. (2009). A design-for-all approach towards multimodal accessibility of mathematics. P.L. Emiliani et al. (Eds.) Assistive Technology from Adapted Equipment to Inclusive Environments, Assistive Technology Research Series, 25, 393-397, IOS Press, Amsterdam.
  16. Wongkia, W., Naruedomkul, K. & Cercone, N. (September, 2009). Better access to mathematics for visually impaired. Proceedings of the 2009 IEEE Toronto International Conference-Science and Technology for Humanity, Canada, 43-48.
  17. Wutiwiwatchai, C. & Furui, S. (2007). Thai speech processing technology: A review. Speech Communication, 49, 8-27.
  18. 1. Personal information (sex, age, educational level and visual impairment)
  19. 2. Do you have a personal computer to use at home?
  20. 3. What platform do you use?
  21. 4. What computer software and supporting devices do you use with the computer?
  22. 5. What programs can you use? (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Equation, PDF, IE, PPA TATIP, VAJA, Winam, Media Player, and Others)
  23. 6. Do you have experience using the Internet? If you have 6.1 How long have you used the Internet? 6.2 For what purposes do you use the Internet?
Download


Paper Citation


in Harvard Style

Wongkia W., Naruedomkul K. and Cercone N. (2010). THAI VISUALLY IMPAIRED ’S REQUIREMENTS TO ACCESS MATHEMATICS VIA AN AUTOMATIC MATH READER . In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU, ISBN 978-989-674-023-8, pages 239-244. DOI: 10.5220/0002781002390244


in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu10,
author={Wararat Wongkia and Kanlaya Naruedomkul and Nick Cercone},
title={THAI VISUALLY IMPAIRED ’S REQUIREMENTS TO ACCESS MATHEMATICS VIA AN AUTOMATIC MATH READER},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,},
year={2010},
pages={239-244},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0002781002390244},
isbn={978-989-674-023-8},
}


in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,
TI - THAI VISUALLY IMPAIRED ’S REQUIREMENTS TO ACCESS MATHEMATICS VIA AN AUTOMATIC MATH READER
SN - 978-989-674-023-8
AU - Wongkia W.
AU - Naruedomkul K.
AU - Cercone N.
PY - 2010
SP - 239
EP - 244
DO - 10.5220/0002781002390244