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Accessibility at Desmos

Math is for everyone. The tools we use to explore it should be, too.
Accessibility is central to our design process at Desmos. Our website and math tools all meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2, and we’re always striving to improve. We try to develop features that encourage our users to hear, feel, see, and interact with our tools however they need.
Prioritizing accessibility makes our tools better for everyone, and we’ve heard from our community just how much that matters. Yet, accessible design is an ongoing process. Just as we value hearing what’s working, we want to hear what still needs work, too. If you ever notice something surprising, confusing, or inaccessible, reach out at accessibility@desmos.com.

Accessibility Features in Our Tools

  • Audio Trace for Graphs

    Users can explore the shape and behavior of a graph through sound cues, making mathematical relationships more accessible to those who rely on auditory information.

  • Keyboard Navigation and Shortcuts

    Users can perform most functions in our tools with keyboard commands rather than having to use a mouse. Shortcuts match the established conventions of your operating system.

  • Spoken and Braille Feedback

    Our tools work with screen readers and refreshable Braille displays, so blind and visually impaired users can interact with mathematical content in their preferred mode.

  • Tactile Graphics Support

    Users can export graphs and other visual representations in formats compatible with hard-copy Braille embossers, making math accessible in a touchable format.

  • High Contrast and Large Print Options

    For those with low vision, we offer display settings that enhance visibility through increased contrast and larger text sizes.

  • Dynamic Alt Text

    Our products allow authors to write custom descriptions for interactive objects (such as clickable objects, draggable points, geometric shapes, and more), which can be helpful for users of screen reading software.

Conformance Reports and Resources

Screen Reader Setup

JAWS (Windows)

  1. In the event that Desmos and JAWS commands conflict, pressJAWS+3 before pressing a Desmos command.
  2. To disable the virtual PC cursor and interact with web applications:
    1. Press JAWS+Z.
      or
    2. Press JAWS+6 to open the Settings Center.
    3. Under Forms Mode, set Select Forms Mode to Semi-Auto.
  3. To disable keyboard echo, press JAWS+2 until you’ve selected None.
  4. To turn off tutor messages:
    1. Select Jaws > Options > Basics.
    2. Select Turn Off Menu and Control Help.
    3. To turn off only some tutor messages, select Announce Custom Messages Only.
  5. To adjust the punctuation level:
    1. Select Jaws > Options > Voices > Voice Adjustment.
    2. Change the Punctuation value to your preferences. We recommend Some or None.
  6. To enable Braille:
    1. Press JAWS+6 to open the Settings Center.
    2. Select Braille > General > Translation.
    3. Confirm you have activated a language such as English (United States) under Language.
    4. Select Output.
    5. Press SPACE until you’ve selected Computer Braille.
    6. Optionally, to minimize extra text on the display:
      1. Select Braille > General > Braille Mode.
      2. Press SPACE until you’ve selected Line.
    7. Press ALT+F4 to close the Settings Center.
JAWS Keystrokes

NVDA (Windows)

  1. In the event that Desmos and NVDA commands conflict, pressNVDA+F2 before pressing a Desmos command.
  2. To toggle browse mode off, press NVDA+SPACE.
  3. To disable keyboard echo:
    1. For characters, press NVDA+2.
    2. For words, press NVDA+3.
    3. Or, select Settings > Keyboard and adjust each option.
  4. To adjust the punctuation level:
    1. Press NVDA+N to open the main menu.
    2. Select Preferences > Settings.
    3. Under Speech, change the Punctuation/Symbol Level to Some or None.
  5. To enable Braille:
    1. Press NVDA+N to open the main menu.
    2. Select Preferences > Settings.
    3. Select the Braille group.
    4. Ensure input and output tables are set to English, U.S. 6-Dot Computer Braille or English, U.S. 8-Dot Computer Braille.
    5. Press ENTER to close Settings.
NVDA User Guide

Narrator (Windows)

  1. In the event that Desmos and Narrator commands conflict, pressNARRATOR+3 before pressing a Desmos command.
  2. To turn off scan mode, press NARRATOR+SPACE.
  3. To turn off character echo:
    1. Press NARRATOR+2.
      or
    2. Press CTRL+WINDOWS+N to open Narrator settings.
    3. Expand Have Narrator Announce When I Type.
    4. Deselect Letters, Numbers, and Punctuation and Words.
  4. To enable Braille:
    1. Press CTRL+WINDOWS+N to open Narrator settings
    2. Select Braille.
    3. Confirm the input and output languages are set to English.
    4. Confirm the input and output tables are configured for Computer Braille (8-dot).
    5. Press ALT+F4 to close Narrator settings.
Complete Guide to Narrator

VoiceOver (Apple Mac)

  1. To turn off Quick Nav:
    1. Open VoiceOver Utility by pressing VO+F8.
    2. Select the Commands tab.
    3. Deselect all Quick Nav options.
  2. To turn off hints:
    1. Open VoiceOver Utility by pressing VO+F8.
    2. Select Verbosity > Hints.
    3. Deselect Speak instructions for using the item in the VoiceOver cursor.
  3. Optionally, to minimize the risk of hearing typed characters repeatedly:
    1. Open VoiceOver Utility by pressing VO+F8.
    2. Select Verbosity > Text.
    3. Set Read numbers as to Words.
    4. Set While typing speak to Nothing.
    5. Set Punctuation to Some.
  4. To set TAB to navigate all web page elements on Safari when VoiceOver is turned off:
    1. Select Safari > Settings, or press COMMAND + ,.
    2. Select Advanced.
    3. Select Press Tab to highlight each item on a web page.
  5. To enable Braille:
    1. Press VO+F8 to open VoiceOver Utility.
    2. Select Braille > Translations.
    3. Set the input and output tables to English (Eight dot).
    4. Press COMMAND+W to close VoiceOver Utility.
Mac VoiceOver Documentation

VoiceOver (Apple iPhone and iPad)

  1. We encourage the use of a hardware keyboard if possible for efficiency.
  2. If you are using a hardware keyboard, press LEFT ARROW+RIGHT ARROW to disable Quick Nav.
  3. To turn off hints:
    1. Select Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Verbosity.
    2. Turn off Speak Hints.
  4. To adjust the punctuation level:
    1. Select Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Verbosity > Text.
    2. Set Punctuation to Some.
  5. To enable Braille:
    1. Select Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Braille.
    2. Set both Input and Output to Uncontracted Eight-dot Braille.
    3. Change each mode as needed by pressing SPACE+DOTS 1-2-4-5 to cycle through available outputs or SPACE+DOTS 2-3-6 for inputs.
    4. If the display length is small, select Status Cells and then deselect Show General Status and Show Text Status.
iOS VoiceOver Documentation

TalkBack (Android)

  1. We recommend the use of a hardware keyboard for efficiency.
  2. To turn off hints:
    1. Select Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settings.
    2. Under Verbosity, turn off Speak Usage Hints.
    3. If you are using a hardware keyboard, turn off Keyboard Echo (Physical Keyboard) as well.
  3. To adjust the punctuation level:
    1. Select Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settings or Settings > Language & Input.
    2. Select Text-to-speech.
    3. Reduce the punctuation level as desired.
  4. To enable Braille:
    1. Select Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settings.
    2. Turn on Talkback Braille Keyboard if it is not already. This is required to type text from a Braille display.
    3. Select Languages.
    4. Verify that you have installed 6-dot Computer Braille.
    5. If you haven’t, select Add a Language and then select the language(s) you wish to have available.
    6. Set both Typing and Reading modes to 6-dot Computer Braille if they aren’t already.
    7. From anywhere, press DOTS 2-4-7-8 to cycle through available language choices for Typing and DOTS 1-3-5-7-8 for Reading.
    8. Note: TalkBack’s navigation keystrokes will not be available while you actively type math with your Braille keyboard in an expression line. To review what you have written or read any evaluated output, use your display’s panning keys. Interact with any other part of the app to restore TalkBack’s navigation commands.
Google’s Accessibility Website

ChromeVox (Chromebook)

  1. To disable spoken feedback (earcons), press SEARCH+A, E.
  2. To enable Braille:
    1. Connect the display to the Chromebook via USB.
    2. Press SEARCH+O, O to open ChromeVox settings.
    3. While holding SEARCH, press RIGHT ARROW until you hear Switch to 6-Dot Braille or Switch to 8-Dot Braille.
    4. Press ENTER to select the option you prefer.
    5. Press CTRL+W to close settings.
ChromeVox Documentation