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Accessible Technology

Making Math Content Accessible

Key Takeaways

  • Use native math tools whenever possible instead of images or screenshots of equations.
  • For course content, Canvas pages, HTML web pages, and Microsoft Word documents are generally the most accessible way to deliver math.
  • PDF support for accessible math has improved significantly but support still varies depending on the PDF reader and assistive technology being used.
  • Accessible math is only one part of accessible content. Headings, lists, tables, link text, and alt text are also essential.

Overview: MathML

The foundation of accessible math is MathML (Mathematical Markup Language), a web standard for encoding mathematical expressions in a way that preserves their structure and meaning, not just their visual appearance. Because of this semantic richness, assistive technologies such as NVDA and JAWS (screen reader software) can interpret and read math aloud in a clear, navigable way—allowing users to explore equations piece by piece, rather than hearing them as a flat string or encountering them as inaccessible images. This makes MathML especially valuable for people who are blind, have low vision, or have certain cognitive disabilities, as it supports both auditory understanding and flexible presentation (e.g., magnification, reflow, or alternative renderings).

Accessible Math in Canvas LMS

In Canvas, math equations are rendered using MathML in combination with MathJax. MathML provides the underlying semantic foundation that assistive technologies need for accessibility, while MathJax handles the visual display and ensures consistency across browsers. This is a highly accessible way to deliver equations.

If instructors use the built-in equation editor to author content in Canvas, the published content will be rendered properly for accessibility. The equation editor includes toolbars for creating equations visually, but also supports direct entry using LaTeX.

For more information, see the Canvas help page How do I use the math Equation Editor in the Rich Content Editor?

Accessible Math in PDF

Until recently, accessible math was not supported in PDF. That changed in March 2026, with an announcement from the PDF Association. The announcement includes implications for authors, PDF viewers, assistive technology users, institutions, and accessibility checking software.

As the announcement explains, four critical elements needed to come together for accessible math to be possible in PDF:

  1. Suitable creation software – Both LaTeX and Microsoft Word now support exporting equations to accessible PDF.
  2. Modern PDF with the necessary features (PDF 2.0) – The markup necessary for accessible math is now built into the PDF 2.0 specification, as well as PDF/UA-2 (the international accessibility standard for PDF documents).
  3. PDF reader software with the ability to process MathML – Currently, Foxit PDF Reader and Firefox browser provide full support, while Adobe Reader provides partial support.
  4. Assistive technology that can handle MathML in the PDF context – The two most popular screen readers in Windows, NVDA (starting with version 2025.1) and JAWS (starting with 2026 releases) now support accessible math in Firefox.

Although this is a huge leap forward, support for accessible math is still somewhat limited. Assistive technology users are limited in their choice of PDF reader software, and there is currently no known support for MacOS users.  Given these limitations, delivering math content in Canvas pages or HTML web pages (with MathML and MathJax) is still preferred over PDF.

Authoring Accessible Content Using LaTeX

LaTeX is widely used in technical and quantitative disciplines, especially for documents that include mathematical notation. However, the need for semantic structure is not unique to mathematical content. Like all digital materials, LaTeX documents should be created with good structure such as headings, lists, and tables; and alternate text for images; all of which is critical for screen reader users.

The LaTeX Project has made extensive progress toward building support for accessible tagged PDF through its Tagged PDF Project. The latest version of LaTeX is capable of producing accessible tagged PDF, including support for accessible math.

This is a rapidly evolving landscape. The following resources are helpful for learning about, and keeping up with, recommended tools and techniques for authoring accessible content with LaTeX:

Authoring Accessible Math in Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365, especially Word and PowerPoint, includes a variety of features that make reading and writing math more accessible. Equations authored using native Office Math are stored with underlying MathML, allowing screen readers to interpret them accurately and enabling users to navigate expressions piece by piece rather than as a flat string. Recent improvements also enhance keyboard access, provide audio cues when entering or exiting math regions, and improve how screen readers convey structure and context. These features are only available within Microsoft applications, which argues for sharing content in their native Microsoft files rather than exporting to PDF.

If exporting to PDF is necessary, equations now retain their MathML in the exported PDF, supporting more accessible reading in compatible tools. For additional information, see the February 2, 2026 post in the Microsoft 365 Insider Blog, Make math inclusive for everyone with Microsoft 365.

Implications for Accessibility Checker Scores

Support for accessible math in PDF is new in the PDF 2.0 and PDF/UA-2 specifications. Most accessibility checkers, including those currently used in Canvas at the UW, are checking content based on earlier specifications. Therefore, their reports may include false positives if PDFs include equations, even if those equations were created using best practices for authoring accessible equations. This is a temporary limitation while we wait for accessibility checkers to catch up, but an unfortunate side effect is that accessibility scores might be lower than expected. Our recommendations:

  1. Author all content, including equations, using best practices for accessibility.
  2. Use multiple accessibility checkers to get a well-rounded perspective on the accessibility of your content.
  3. If checkers identify errors in your equations, and you’re confident that you have authored your equations using best practices for accessibility, you can probably ignore those errors and focus on the errors that are not related to equations.

We are working with our accessibility checker vendors to ensure the necessary updates are on their development roadmaps.

Other Tools for Helping with Accessible Math

MathPix

MathPix is an AI-powered platform that converts complex scientific content, including math equations and tables, from images and unstructured documents into structured, editable formats such as LaTeX and Markdown, where it can be edited and published in more accessible formats. A limited number of MathPix licenses are available. See the MathPix in the UW Software Catalog for additional information.

MathType

MathType is a suite of applications for creating and editing mathematical equations and chemistry formulas in digital documents. MathType offers enhanced accessibility over the native equation editors available in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs, and Google Slides.  Free licenses are available to UW faculty and staff. See the MathType for Office Tools page in the UW Software Catalog for additional information.