Limitations and Potential of Accessible Mathematical Formulas in Adobe InDesign
IN COLLABORATION WITH 
Did you know that, starting with the latest versions of InDesign, you can manage (accessible) mathematical formulas directly within the software?
Publishing accessible scientific content has long been a challenge for publishers: mathematical formulas, traditionally treated as images, were difficult to make accessible to screen readers and Braille displays. With the release of InDesign 20, Adobe introduced native support for inserting, creating, and exporting formulas in MathML format — a milestone achieved over time thanks to the work of the LIA Foundation within the Accessible EPUB from InDesign Expert Group.
In this course, we’ll explore the current state of the art together: from workflows using external tools (still in use by many publishers) to InDesign’s new native capabilities, to remaining challenges — such as formatting and managing formulas with explanations — and finally, the integration of MathML with assistive technologies used by users with disabilities, such as screen readers and video magnifiers.
Who is this course for?
The course is intended for those who already work with Adobe InDesign and have a basic understanding of accessibility. No prior experience with MathML is required. It is particularly suitable for layout designers, technical and scientific editors, and publishing professionals who work on publications with mathematical content.
Agenda
- Introduction: why mathematical formulas pose a challenge for accessibility; what MathML is and why it is the de facto standard for accessible digital publishing
- Traditional workflows: third-party tools for creating vector formulas and post-processing workflows for replacing images with MathML code
- What’s new in InDesign: native MathML support; overview of available export options
- Outstanding issues and best practices: formatting and managing formulas with explanations
- Integration of MathML with widely used assistive technologies.