Research on improving communication between the blind and the sighted in the area of mathematics, and related requirements

Attempts to allow the blind to read and write mathematical texts have been made for many years. Such research is conducted both in Poland and abroad. Nevertheless, there is still no complex solution to this problem that would satisfy the users thoroughly. The greatest difficulty facing blind and sighted individuals working on texts containing mathematical formulae together is that in sighted people´s notation, these expressions take form of two-dimensional sets of graphical symbols, while Braille provides linear, often context-dependent notation for such expositions. This paper presents identified cases of work and education in mathematics that require new technologies to improve cooperation between the blind and the sighted who do not know Braille nor Braille Mathematics Notation. The research initiated by the Institute of Mathematical Machines discussed herein is aimed to develop innovative technologies that will improve communication, Web-based and else, between blind and sighted individuals in the area of mathematics.