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Making STEM Content Accessible with Mathpix

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UM provides Mathpix to faculty and staff who work with STEM content to support the creation and remediation of accessible documents.

Math content in PDFs is often not accessible, and creating equations in Word can be time-consuming. Mathpix helps address this by converting math content (whether that be handwritten or typed) into more accessible formats, and by providing tools that streamline the creation of Word equations.

While the output will still need to be reviewed and edited for accuracy and accessibility, this tool can significantly reduce the time and effort required.

Getting Started with Mathpix

Submit a request through the Mathpix Request Form if you are a UM faculty or staff member who works with STEM content

Once you have access to Mathpix, select Snip Webapp to explore the web-based tool. With this tool you can:

  • Convert PDFs to Word and other formats
  • Convert images to more accessible versions
    • This works on images with math, text, tables, figures, chemistry, both printed and handwritten images, and images with foreign languages
  • Create and edit documents combining Markdown, LaTeX, and HTML

Watch this Snip Webapp Video Tutorial to get a quick overview on how to use the tool

Please note that if you starting with a PDF, we recommend that you covert those to Word documents to provide as an option for students. These outputted Word documents will still need to be edited for accuracy and accessibility. Read more about creating accessible Word documents and writing alternative text for images.

Mathpix offers a desktop version of the tool that works similarly to the browser version described above. Your content syncs across all of the different Mathpix platforms.

How to Download and Use the Mathpix Desktop Tool

Video Tutorial on Using the Desktop Version to Create Accessible Math in Word

Please note that if you starting with a PDF, we recommend that you covert those to Word documents to provide as an option for students. These outputted Word documents will still need to be edited for accuracy and accessibility. Read more about creating accessible Word documents and writing alternative text for images.

Mathpix also offers a mobile app that has similar functionality to the tools above, but allows you to take pictures with your camera as well as write equations with a stylus. Your content syncs across all of the different Mathpix platforms.

Mathpix Documentation on Snip Mobile App

Video Tutorial on Snip Mobile App

There is also the option to download the Snip Chrome Extension to convert PDFs directly from your browser

Mathpix Documentation on Chrome Extension