Lambda Makes Math Accessible for Blind Students

Lambda is a research project funded by the European Union’s IST program with the objective of creating an integrated system for writing and reading mathematical texts for use by blind students.

Studies of scientific disciplines are still serious challenges for blind students. The most significant requirement is for secondary school students to perform mathematical exercises rapidly and efficiently in the same way as their sighted classmates.

Students in secondary schools and universities will have the opportunity to benefit from a powerful and flexible mathematics writing system, which is also compatible with the most popular standards. This will give them the essential facilities to independently produce scientific and mathematical digital materials.

The project consortium includes 14 partners representing seven European countries. The Lambda system is based on a linear code, which can be immediately converted through MathML, and a mathematical editor which is designed to meet the educational needs of both students and teachers. The whole system is flexible and entirely configurable and Braille allows customization to meet local standards.

The Lambda project members will present their results in August 2005 and hope to contribute to the integration of students with a visual disability in scientific studies.

Source: Lambda Project