RE: MathML vs LaTeX

Hello Wayne,
 
I am blind and use a screen reader. It is wonderful to use linear input such as LaTex or the similar codes used in Microsoft Word’s equation editor to create expressions. Using MathCAT now available in Jaws and NVDA, I can read MathML using speech and braille in the most granular method I choose. I can copy MathML from web pages or from EPUB titles and paste it into word so I can show my work.
 
LaTex is indeed wonderful, but there must be an accessible method to convert that linear information into professional looking math, and that is what MathML provides.
 
Best
George
 

 
George Kerscher Ph.D.
-In our Information Age, access to information is a fundamental human right.
Chief Innovations Officer, DAISY Consortium
 <http://www.daisy.org/> http://www.daisy.org
Senior Advisor, Global Literacy, Benetech
 <http://www.benetech.org/> http://www.benetech.org
President, International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) 
 <http://www.idpf.org/> http://www.idpf.org
Chair Steering Council Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), at W3C
 <http://www.w3.org/WAI> http://www.w3.org/WAI
Cell:+1 406/544-2466 
Email:  <mailto:kerscher@montana.com> kerscher@montana.com
 
 
 
From: Wayne Dick <wayneedick@gmail.com> 
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2025 7:55 PM
To: W3C WAI ig <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Subject: MathML vs LaTeX
 
I use LaTeX. I tried with MathML, but which MathML? Is it presentational or semantic? 
The fact is that mathematicians use LaTeX. It is a language that can separate content from presentation. It is more syntactically concise. It looks like math. People with cannot author with LaTeX can use other products like Word to formulate mathematics, and that can be parsed into LaTeX. 
First, I must express my gratitude for the members of W3C who tried to develop an alternative to LaTeX, but they did not succeed. LaTeX is so much easier to code. There is no need to think about a presentational or semantic form. I think it is time to drop MathML, as much as I love sematic MathML and the people who developed it.
Best, Wayne