May Focus on Math Accessibility: Make STEM Materials Usable for All
Math and STEM content can create barriers when it isn’t designed with accessibility in mind. This May, we’re focusing on math accessibility to help U-M faculty, staff, and students create materials that work for everyone.
Whether you’re preparing materials for your teaching or your research, this month brings together guidance, tools, and support to help you make math content more accessible.
Why Math Accessibility?
Recent advances in math typesetting packages, document formats, and assistive technology support have finally made accessible math achievable. You can make small changes to your workflows to ensure your documents will work for all students, no matter what devices they use or assistive technologies they rely on.
Learn With Us
Join a live session to learn how to create more accessible documents using tools and templates available at U-M.
Lightening Talk: Make Math Accessible
Discover what accessible math means and how to achieve it. The talk features updated U-M guidelines, key workflows, and information for instructors. Experts will be available to answer questions and offer further support. Part of EEI Days Symposium.
Session format: Lightning Talk (10-minute presentation)
Date, Location, and Registration:
- Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 1:00 -3:00pm
- Betty Beyster Building (BBB) Tishman Hall
- Part of Engineering Education Innovation (EEI) Days Symposium
- Register for EEI Days Symposium
Workshop: Math Accessibility - Best Practices and Workflows for Instructors
Learn what accessible math means and how to make math content everyone can use. After this interactive workshop, participants will be able to explain the impact of accessibility, find updated U-M guidance, and use available tools to make materials accessible. Experts will support instructors as they set up tools and ask questions. Part of CRLT’s Equity Focused Teaching @ Michigan.
Session format: Workshop with in-person support
Date, Location, and Registration:
- Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 1:00 - 3:00 PM
- CRLT Seminar Room (1013 Palmer Commons, 1st Floor), 100 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109
- Register for Math Accessibility Workshop
Learn on Your Own
Explore tools and step-by-step guidance on making math content accessible.
- Math Best Practices: Learn about formats, markup languages, and workflows to produce accessible mathematics documents
- Creating Accessible Digital STEM Materials (Indiana U Canvas course): Dig deeper into what accessible math means
- Canvas Equation Editor: Understand how to create equations within Canvas Pages
- Microsoft Equation Editor: Create accessible equations in DOC or PPT files
- Panorama: Convert math files in Canvas
Make Progress
Small improvements can significantly improve access for students and users. Try one (or more) this month:
- Use built-in equation editors instead of images of equations
- Ensure math content is created in formats that can be read by assistive technology
- Review one course or document with math content for accessibility improvements
- Test how your content works with different devices or formats
Do Your Part
For Faculty and Instructors
- Attend workshops to learn accessible math workflows
- Adjust your tools and templates so new documents you create are “born accessible”
- Start with one document or course module and build from there
- Use equation editors within available tools (Canvas, Word) instead of images
For Content Editors & Communicators
- Spread the word about accessible math resources, using our May 2026 Communications Toolkit
- Use clear structure and formatting when presenting technical information
- Work with subject matter experts to make math content accessible
For Developers & Technical Teams
- Support tools and platforms that enable accessible math input and display
- Provide guidance or tooling for teams creating STEM content
- Partner with instructors and content creators on solutions