Since I last wrote, my Algebra II students and I have been experimenting. 
We have been working with matrices using Scientific Notebook and JAWS. For 
example, we've been able to come up with a technique to solve systems of 
equations and find regression lines with a little bit of help (fastest 
method) or totally independently (via a slower method). (You may prefer to 
try voice recognition software from Metroplex Voice Computing. See contact 
information below.)

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
1. Solve the system
2x+3y+z=13
5x-2y-4z=7
4x+5y+3z=25
Open JAWS. Open Scientific Notebook (SN). Enter Alt I. Select Matrix. Tab 
through columns and rows and select 3x3. Enter 2, tab, enter 3, tab, enter 
1 tab, etc (i.e. the coefficients of each variable). When the matrix is 
filled, hit space bar once. Then enter Alt I. Select Matrix. Select 3x1. 
Enter x, tab, enter y, tab, enter z. Hit space bar once. Enter =. Enter Alt 
I. Select Matrix. Select 3x1. Enter 13, tab, enter 7, tab, enter 25 (i.e 
the constants). Hit space bar once. Enter Alt M. Select Solve, and then 
Exact. The solution appears as a 3x1 matrix with entries 3, 2, and 1. Shift 
left arrow will read the three answers correctly this time. However, if any 
of the numbers were negative, it would not read the negative. If any of the 
numbers were a fraction, it would not read them as such. For example, 1/2 
would be read as "one, two." The fastest method would be to simply ask a 
sighted person to read the screen. However, the student can print a print 
copy for the math teacher either one problem at a time or after the entire 
assignment is completed. Before or after printing the print copy, the 
student can save the SN file and bring the file up in DBT WIN 10.3 via the 
LaTeX importer and then translate it. The formatting is awful (Duxbury has 
informed me that they will not be fixing the table, chart, matrix, etc. 
formatting problems at this time.); however, the student can scan through 
the mess and find the words "Solution is: 3, 2, 1." Alternatively, the 
student may wish to use the Nemeth filter from MAVIS at NMSU.

2. Find an equation of the regression line given certain data points. Then 
graph it.
Open JAWS. Open Scientific Notebook. Enter Alt I. Select Matrix. Tab 
through columns and rows and select #x2, where # stands for the number of 
points + 1. For example if you had 7 data points, you would select an 8x2 
matrix. Enter x tab y and then all of the data points (making a "T" or data 
table). When the data table (matrix) is filled, hit space bar once. Enter 
Alt M. Select Statistics. Select Fit Curve to Data. Select last column for 
the dependent variable and Mutiple Regression (default). The regression 
line equation appears. Again, JAWS will not read the regression line 
equation correctly. At this point, the student can ask a sighted person to 
read the equation, print the equations out, or translate through DBT WIN 
10.3. After the regression line equation is determined, it should be 
entered into the Accessible Graphing Calculator and graphed. The graph can 
be printed in print for the math teacher, printed with a braille font and 
copied onto swell paper and run through a tactile imaging machine, embossed 
on a TIGER Advantage embosser, and/or the student can listen to the audiowave.

If you are freaking out at this point, thinking that you or your students 
could never do all this, my students are doing it. My most proficient 
student is only a sophomore. He can also solve systems manually using the 
graphing, substitution, and linear combination method. He liked four out of 
the five methods I showed him; he didn't like using Cranmer's Rule. You can 
also perform other operations on matrices using JAWS and Scientific 
Notebook with similar techniques. Contact information for the 
math/translation software mentioned follows:

MacKichan Software, Inc.
600 Ericksen, Suite 300
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Phone: 1-877-SCI-NOTE
Fax: 1-206-780-2857
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Website: http://www.mackichan.com
With Scientific Notebook, create attractive documents with text, 
mathematics, and graphics, have it compute the solutions, import data from 
your graphing calculator, connect to the Internet and download documents, 
then translate to Nemeth Code and/or convert to large print. (See MAVIS.)

Mathematics Accessible to Visually Impaired Students (MAVIS)
Chris Weaver, MAVIS Program Coordinator
New Mexico State University
Math Department MSC 3MB
P.O. Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone:(505) 646-2664
Fax: (505) 646-1064
Email: [log in to unmask]
Website: http://www.nmsu.edu/~mavis
Nemeth Code filter that translates Scientific Notebook documents containing 
mathematics to Nemeth Code. "The fast production of Scientific Notebook 
files on a Braille embosser means that visually impaired students can 
obtain class handouts, syllabi, exams, and other course materials in the 
sciences in real time. And it means that institutions can comply more 
easily with federal disability regulations." (see MacKichan Software, Inc.)

ViewPlus Software, Inc.
Business Enterprise Center
Contact Person: Carolyn Gardner
800 NW Starker Avenue
Corvallis, OR 97330
Phone: (541) 754 4002
Fax: (541) 738 6505
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Website: http://www.viewplussoft.com/
The Accessible Graphing Calculator is a self-voicing graphing scientific 
calculator program. Unlike a hand-held calculator, it displays results 
through speech and sounds, as well as visually presenting numbers and 
graphs. Braille graphics can be created directly via the TIGER embosser 
(See ViewPlus Technologies, Inc.) or indirectly using a tactile imaging 
machine.
ViewPlus Technologies, Inc.

Metroplex Voice Computing
P.O Box 121984
Arlington, TX 76012
Phone: (817) 261-1658
Fax: (817) 543-1103
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Website: http://www.metroplexvoice.com
Speech recognition software products including several mathematics programs.
MathTalkProTM - runs Scientific NotebookTM with over 2,000 voiced commands. 
MTP is for all levels of math. Scientific Notebook includes MapleTM and 
graphing capabilities. For more details on Scientific Notebook, (see 
MacKichan Software, Inc). MathTalkPro will be available with an optional 
Nemeth Code Converter© that translates the mathematics into Braille (See 
MAVIS ).

Susan

At 12:40 PM 10/31/2001 +1000, you wrote:
>Hello to all,
>
>I have finally subscribed to the main EASI list after being on the EASI-SEM
>list for some time. After generating a little discussion a couple of months
>ago, that list now seems to have been wound up. I am copying, below, a
>message I tried to send to that list a week or two back, and hope that it
>reaches not only those with whom I have recently communicated on the
>easi-sem list, but also others who may have some interest and experience in
>this particular area.
>
>By way of a brief intro, I work as an education adviser in the area of
>assistive technology for students with vision impairment, employed by
>Education Queensland, Australia, and am blind myself. I have been with the
>Ed Dept for twenty years, but spent the first fifteen of those as a music
>specialist and music therapist. The main AT I use is JAWS for Windows, Open
>Book and a Braille Lite 40.
>
>Now, to the main subject of this message: --
>..
>.
>I promised to get back to the list after our two week vacation period.
>Unfortunately, more pressing work requirements have kept me from getting my
>head back around this subject.
>
>I still haven't received much feedback from one or two folk trialing
>programs such as the AGC (Accessible Graphing Calculator) with students and
>it looks like our little special interest group/working party will not
>manage another workshop session this year. With our Summer vacation looming
>and some extended leave I'm taking from Mid
>November, time is running out fast for 2001.
>
>However, if anyone still wants to keep things simmering along, or has any
>new discoveries re using software such as Scientific Notebook or MathType
>Editor with screen readers such as JAWS or WindowEyes, or has had experience
>with using Accessible Graphing Calc with high school students, I'd still
>love
>to hear from you.
>
>Hoping to be in touch and able to share more again soon.
>
>Regards,
>Tom.
>
>Tom Macmahon
>Education Adviser
>Adaptive Technology Services
>Low Incidence Unit, Education Queensland
>141 Merton Road
>WOOLLOONGABBA, Q 4102
>AUSTRALIA.
>Ph:    61/7 3240-9360
>Fax:   61/7 3240-9300
>Web:   http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/liu/
>Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>This message (including attachments) is intended for the addressee named
>above. It may also be confidential, privileged and/or subject to copyright.
>If you wish to forward this message to others, you must first obtain the
>permission of the author. If you are not the addressee named above, you must
>not disseminate, copy, communicate or otherwise use or take any action in
>reliance on this message. You understand that any privilege or
>confidentiality attached to this message is not waived, lost or destroyed
>because you have received this message in error. If you have received this
>message in error please notify the sender and delete from any computer.
>
>Unless explicitly attributed, the opinions expressed in this message do not
>necessarily represent the official position or opinions of the State of
>Queensland or the Queensland Department of Education. Whilst all care has
>been taken, the Department of Education disclaims all liability for loss or
>damage to person or property arising from this message being infected by
>computer virus or other contamination.
>Tom Macmahon