Accessibility

Classroom Activities

Screen Reader setup

Using the calculators

Mobile apps

Using Braille

Keyboard shortcuts

Feedback

On this page, you will find our latest documentation about the accessibility features as they relate to Desmos Classroom in the Desmos calculators and Classroom Activities, including how to emboss graphs and read and write equations in Braille. For a quick overview of accessibility in the Desmos calculators, visit the Help Center Accessibility page.

Desmos Classroom’s Activities are supported by the same underlying Desmos Studio technology, and calculators can be added to each lesson. For that reason, we have kept the bulk of the following information, acknowledging that much of it pertains to the Desmos calculators. (For more information on Desmos Classroom and Desmos Studio, please click here.)

At Desmos Classroom, we want to help every student learn math and love learning math. Our tools and platform are used by millions of students all around the world, and we'd like to see that use expand to all students, including those with physical and cognitive disabilities.

The Desmos Classroom websites and software have been written to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1. Examples include a robust set of keyboard shortcuts in our calculators and Classroom Activities, respecting font-size settings for low-vision users, ensuring that our colors have sufficient contrast, providing screen reader and Braille access to our equation editor, and making graphs accessible to fully blind students via audio and tactile output.

Our WCAG 2.1 Compliance Spreadsheet is available for parties interested in a more systematic breakdown of how we have aimed to satisfy each WCAG criterion.

Accessible design is an on-going process, and we realize that no system is perfect.

Please email us at support@desmos.comwith any questions, comments, or suggestions for improvement.

The Desmos Classroom tools are regularly tested with the most recent editions of ChromeVox, Job Access With Speech (JAWS) For Windows, Narrator, NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA), Talkback, and VoiceOver in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.

As operating systems, screen access software, and web browser technologies are constantly evolving, we cannot recommend specific versions. As a rule of thumb, if the device's software has been updated within the past 18 months, it is likely fully supported. For additional details, please refer to our browser support policy.

We are continually working to make our collection of Classroom Activities accessible to more students. Explore some of our screen reader-friendly activities.

The following are notes on how to operate some of the more specialized components that may be added to an activity:

Sketch components in Activities include keyboard shortcuts for switching tools when sketching. In addition to drawing, students can also add text and math to their sketch. Students who are unable to show their thinking by drawing on their device may use text or math to describe their ideas.

When entering text or math, the item's position may be adjusted by dragging the left-side handle with the mouse. The width of text items may be adjusted by dragging the right-side handle left or right. When either handle has keyboard focus, it will also respond to presses of the ARROW keys.

For students using adaptive technologies such as screen readers, we have added the following keyboard shortcuts to enable them to fully participate in card sorts:

The Ordered List component presents a group of one or more items that may be reordered. Screen readers will report the item as a listbox and provide information about the currently selected item (selected or unselected) and its position (e.g., 1 of 5). The following keys may be used to navigate and reorder items in the list:

Marbleslides screens include verbal prompts to orient the student to the activity, optional sound effects so he or she can hear the marbles move around, and a text-based summary describing what happened after launching the marbles. The text description and audio cues track the first marble only.

We have found that Marbleslides is very challenging to complete using screen reader and audio cues alone. Students who rely on a screen reader may wish to work with a sighted peer to complete this activity.

The Text to Speech feature, available in the student experience, may be enabled from the Accessibility menu within the student sidebar. When Text to Speech is active, a set of play controls is shown next to a note on the active screen. Students may use this feature to have the computer read the note's content (including embedded math) using the default text-to-speech voice on their system. This feature is still in beta, and performance may vary depending on the students' devices.

Braille entry inside Classroom Activities works exactly the same as it does in the calculators. Math is automatically translated for stand-alone expression input fields, table cells, notes, and screens displaying how other students responded to a question. When working with fields that accept a mixture of text and math, press Ctrl + M on a Windows device or Command + M to enter and exit math entry mode.

Before you use the calculators or Classroom Activities, please read the following Windows, Mac, iPhone and iPad, Android, or Chromebook instructions to ensure your screen reader is properly configured.

Here are important tips for using the Desmos Graphing Calculator with JAWS, NVDA, and Microsoft Narrator.

JAWS may be set to use either the INSERT or CAPSLOCK key as its primary command modifier. The following discussion will mention only the JAWS key, which may be assumed to be either of these modifiers.

If you require spoken output from Desmos and use JAWS 2018 or newer, please ensure that its Speech On Demand mode is set to Full Speech. This is especially important for users of ZoomText Fusion 2018 which leverages JAWS to provide speech and Braille support. To cycle through the various Speech On Demand options, press JAWS + SPACE, S.

When the virtual PC cursor is active in JAWS, you can use the ARROW keys and other single-letter commands to browse a web page. When off (such as when Forms Mode is active), all keyboard input passes through to the browser which is needed to enter expressions into the calculators. JAWS has a few ways to turn the virtual PC cursor on and off (such as entering Forms Mode). However, to keep things simple we recommend pressing JAWS + Z. Alternatively, set the Automatic Forms Mode setting to SemiAuto to have the virtual PC cursor disengage when appropriate.

Note that if you wish to re-enter virtual PC cursor mode while you are interacting with the calculator's expression list, press the virtual PC cursor command twice.

Because the Desmos equation editing component provides its own verbal output, we recommend disabling keyboard echo completely. To do this from anywhere while JAWS is running, press JAWS + 2 until "none" is spoken. Alternatively, key echo can be changed within the JAWS Settings Center.

If any Desmos-specific commands conflict with the screen reader, use the latter's pass-through command before pressing the Desmos shortcut. In this instance, press JAWS + 3.

The calculator often attempts to speak evaluations or whether the current equation has a graph while you type. It is possible that this speech could become chopped off if JAWS tutor messages are active. If you experience chopped off speech, we suggest going to JAWS → Options → Basics and setting tutor messages to either Turn Off Menu and Control Help or Announce Custom Messages Only.

Depending on the active voice profile, JAWS may speak extraneous symbols as you work with the calculator. As Desmos voices pertinent symbols on its own, we recommend setting the Punctuation level to some. These settings may be changed in Options → Voices → Voice Adjustment.

If you use a Braille display, we recommend making the following additional changes:

Depending on the Braille display in use, there may be a keyboard shortcut available to change the output translation table. Consult the JAWS and Refreshable Braille book in the JAWS help system for more information.

All JAWS keyboard shortcuts are available on the Freedom Scientific website.

NVDA may be set to use either the INSERT or CAPSLOCK key as its primary command modifier. The following discussion will mention only the NVDA key, which may be assumed to be either of these modifiers.

When working with online web applications, a critical NVDA command is NVDA + SPACE, which switches browse mode on and off. When on, use the ARROW keys and other single-letter commands to browse the page. When off, all keyboard input passes through to the browser which is needed to enter expressions into the calculators.

Note that if you wish to re-enter browse mode while you are interacting with the calculator's expression list, press CTRL + NVDA + SPACE.

Because the Desmos equation editing component provides its own verbal output, we recommend disabling keyboard echo completely. To do this while NVDA is running, press NVDA + 2 until character echo is off, and likewise NVDA + 3 for words. You can also find the options for speaking typed characters and words in the Keyboard tab of the NVDA Settings dialog.

If any Desmos-specific commands conflict with those of the screen reader, issue the pass-through command before pressing the Desmos shortcut. In this instance, use NVDA + F2.

Depending on the active voice, NVDA may speak extraneous characters as you work with the calculator. As Desmos voices pertinent symbols on its own, we recommend setting the Punctuation level to some. These settings may be changed in Preferences → Punctuation → Symbol Pronunciation from the NVDA main menu.

If you use a Braille display, we recommend making the following additional changes:

Press Enter to close the Settings dialog.

Depending on the Braille display in use, there may be a keyboard shortcut available to change the input and output translation tables. Consult the Supported Braille Displays section of the NVDA Commands Quick Reference document for details.

All NVDA keyboard shortcuts are available on the NV-Access website.

Narrator may be set to use either the INSERT or CAPSLOCK key as its primary command modifier. The following discussion will mention only the NARRATOR key, which may be assumed to be either of these modifiers.

Microsoft Narrator is a screen reader included with computers running the Windows operating system. The following information assumes you are using Narrator along with Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome in, at a minimum, Windows 10 19H1 (build 1903).

When working with online web applications, a critical Narrator command is NARRATOR + SPACE, which switches Scan mode on and off. When on, use the ARROW keys and other single-letter commands to browse the page. When off, all keyboard input passes through to the browser which is needed to enter expressions into the calculators.

Because the Desmos equation editing component provides its own verbal output, we advise disabling character reading completely. In this instance, press NARRATOR + 2 until character reading is off. You can also find the options for typing feedback in the Change What You Hear When Typing group of the Narrator Settings window (accessible by pressing CTRL + WINDOWS + N).

If any Desmos-specific commands conflict with those of the screen reader, issue the pass-through command before pressing the Desmos shortcut. In Narrator, use NARRATOR + 3.

If you use a Braille display, we recommend making the following additional changes:

Depending on the Braille display in use, there may be a keyboard shortcut available to change the input and output translation tables. Consult the Using Narrator with Braille section of the Narrator user's guide for details.

All Microsoft Narrator commands are available on the Complete Guide to Narrator page on the Microsoft website.

VoiceOver may be set to use either the Ctrl + Option or CAPSLOCK key as its primary command modifier. The following discussion will mention only the VO key, which may be assumed to be either of these.

VoiceOver is Apple's built-in screen reader for the Mac. To enable and disable VoiceOver, press COMMAND + F5. For some newer Macs, which swap the F keys with system functions, you may need to press COMMAND + Fn + F5 instead. If your Mac has no function keys but instead utilizes the touch bar, press and hold COMMAND and triple-tap the Touch ID sensor located in the upper-right corner of the computer.

Out of the box, VoiceOver speaks a great deal of information, including hints on how to access common user interface elements (such as text boxes, buttons, and menus). These hints can be distracting when using the calculator, and consequently we recommend disabling them. To do so, open the VoiceOver Utility, navigate to the Verbosity group, and uncheck the option in the Hints tab. Press VO + F8 to open VoiceOver Utility while VoiceOver is on.

While the VoiceOver utility is open, you may also wish to change the speaking of numbers from digits to words, set your typing echo to say Nothing, and set the active Punctuation level to some. These options are found in the Verbosity group under the Text tab. As the calculator provides keyboard echo already, having VoiceOver announce keystrokes along with the calculator will cause each symbol to be spoken twice. Speaking numbers as words will cause the number 100 to be voiced as "one hundred" instead of "one zero zero." Finally, as Desmos sends pertinent symbols to VoiceOver, reducing the amount of punctuation will ensure it does not speak extraneous characters as you work.

We recommend disabling Quick Nav to make it easier to interact with the calculator. This can be accomplished in the Commanders group of the VoiceOver Utility in the Quick Nav tab. Alternatively, press LEFT ARROW and RIGHT ARROW simultaneously to switch to Quick Nav on the fly.

When testing on Safari with VoiceOver enabled, use TAB and SHIFT + TAB to move among the main controls of the page. You will discover that tabbing through a page with VoiceOver turned off yields very different results compared to doing so while the screen reader is on. To cause Tab to function in a more standard manner, open Safari's Preferences, navigate to the Advanced tab, and check the box labeled Press Tab to highlight each item on a web page. Chrome and Firefox on macOS behave normally in regards to Tab and therefore do not have comparable settings.

If you use a Braille display, we recommend making the following additional changes:

Depending on the Braille display in use, there may be a keyboard shortcut available to change the previous options from the display. See Chapter 10: Using Braille Displays in Apple’s VoiceOver documentation for more information.

For more information on VoiceOver and how to navigate with it, see Apple's documentation.

VoiceOver is Apple's built-in screen reader on the iPhone and iPad. It can be activated or deactivated in three ways:

VoiceOver's default speech settings should be adequate for most users. However, we recommend turning Speak Hints Off and setting Punctuation Level to some. Both selections can be found under Settings → Accessibility → VoiceOver → Verbosity. We also strongly suggest using an external Bluetooth keyboard if possible.

If a VoiceOver user is accessing Desmos with a Bluetooth keyboard, we recommend disabling Quick Nav. This can be accomplished by pressing LEFT ARROW and RIGHT ARROW simultaneously.

If you use a Braille display, we recommend making the following additional changes:

More information about VoiceOver is available on Apple's website, along with a list of common Braille display commands.

TalkBack is the screen reader which ships with most Android devices. It can be turned on or off in two ways:

TalkBack's default settings should be adequate for the majority of users. Depending on the text-to-speech engine in use, you may wish to adjust its punctuation levels found in Settings → Accessibility → Text to Speech Output. We also strongly suggest using an external Bluetooth keyboard if possible.

At the time of writing, Android's Braille capabilities are not reliable enough for everyday usage. We monitor Android's development and will update this section when the situation improves.

More information regarding TalkBack is available on Google's Android Accessibility website.

ChromeVox is a screen reader available as an extension for Chrome, and it is built into Chrome OS. To turn ChromeVox on and off, press CTRL + ALT + Z.

Because the calculator provides its own verbal output, we advise disabling spoken feedback (earcons) completely. To do this from anywhere, press Search + A, then E.

If you use a Braille display, we recommend making the following additional changes:

For more information about ChromeVox, see Google’s documentation.

Alright. Screen reader configured? You’re ready to start entering math! Our equation editor is powered by a technology called MathQuill. You can type things like y=2x^2, 2/3x-4y=7, sin(x), anything! You can also enter evaluable expressions, like 2^3 or 4+5, and the calculator will output the answer. When writing in MathQuill, pressing TAB moves out of a block. In a fraction, pressing the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW move between the numerator and denominator. Pressing Home or End moves to the beginning and end of the current block, and CTRL + Home or End moves to the beginning and end of the active expression.

We also provide an onscreen keypad suitable for entering equations with a touch-based device or mouse. While the keypad has been given appropriate ARIA markup, it is not included in the calculator's tab order. This decision was made deliberately. Typing an equation (such as sin(x)) into the expression is far more efficient than using TAB to navigate to each button. Additionally, this allows the keypad keys to be located on touch-based devices or when using screen enlargement software (such as MAGic and ZoomText). View a full list of our supported functions View a full list of our supported functions.

For a quick reminder of these or any other keyboard shortcuts, use the keyboard shortcuts link in the calculator's Help menu or press CTRL + / on Windows or COMMAND + / on Mac.

MathQuill also provides the following screen reader-specific hotkeys for Windows and Mac.

The calculator includes methods for entering special types of symbols and expressions. We have included some of the most common symbols in the following list:

More details regarding these and other functions are available on the Help Center.

Dive deeper into data with tables! You can enter data manually or copy and paste data from an existing spreadsheet. Note that when copying and pasting a table from a spreadsheet, the column header titles will not transfer and there is a maximum of 50 rows. You can add a new table by selecting Table in the Add Item menu, or by pressing CTRL + ALT + T on Windows or CTRL + COMMAND + T on Mac.

When an expression contains free variables, Desmos will offer to define them as sliders. To try it for yourself, type y=mx+b and then press Enter to add sliders for m and b under the expression. Now, by changing the values of m and b, you can easily manipulate the graph of y=mx+b. Use TAB and the following keyboard shortcuts to adjust each slider when its handle is focused:

Audio Trace mode allows someone to explore a graph by sound rather than sight. It is primarily intended for students who are blind or visually impaired who wish to discover how one or more curves are graphed on the screen. If an expression has a graph, you can hear a basic summary with ALT + S (or OPTION + S on a Mac). Similarly, you can hear a description of the graph axes (including whether the X and Y axes are displayed, their ranges and labels if appropriate, the presence of grid lines, etc.) by pressing ALT + G (or OPTION + G on a Mac). Activate Audio Trace mode with ALT + T (or OPTION + T on a Mac). Press ALT + T a second time to deactivate Audio Trace. Setting focus to a different part of the web page will also deactivate Audio Trace, so there is no need to worry about being stuck in this mode.

If you are using a device where a hardware keyboard is unavailable (such as an iPhone or iPad), it is also possible to activate Audio Trace mode via the Audio Trace toggle located in the on-screen Desmos keypad. Once Audio Trace is active, a keypad will appear to allow you to hear the graph, navigate points and curves, and adjust the system's playback volume and speed. These functions are described in more detail in the following paragraphs.

When listening to a graph through Audio Trace, changes in the stereo field reflect the value of the independent variable when it is x, and changes in the pitch reflect the dependent variable. Static will also be heard along with the tone when the dependent variable is less than 0, or by itself if the variable is undefined. In addition, the timbre of the tone changes when the independent variable is less than or greater than 0. A brief "pop" will sound whenever two curves intersect.

For example, consider the equation for a simple sine curve: y=sin(x). When Audio Trace is active, notice how the tone being played moves from left to right as x increases, and the tone's pitch rises and falls as the y-value changes. Observe how the resonance of the tone morphs once it crosses the X axis, and the static that plays whenever y moves below 0.

When Audio Trace is active, the following additional keyboard shortcuts are available:

When Audio Trace is active, and an expression contains adjustable factors available via sliders, you can modify their values to hear what effect the changes have on the current equation with the following commands:

For example, take the classic equation for a line: y=mx+b. When Audio Trace is active, enter slider trace by pressing S, and note that the value of M is set to 1. Pressing H yields an ascending tone which pans from left to right, indicating a line with a positive slope. Next, press the LEFT ARROW twice until M is -1. Pressing H again now results in a descending tone panning from left to right, indicating a line with negative slope.

The following examples demonstrate a few different types of equations and how they are rendered in audio trace. In each recording, the equation is read aloud followed by the sound of the graph.

We welcome feedback on how we might better convey multi-solution graphs through sound.

In addition to traditional fixed-point graphs, Desmos supports adding points and images that can be moved around a graph with the mouse or keyboard. The most accessible method for creating a movable point from the keyboard is to define a variable whose value is a coordinate pair, such as p=(1,1) or a=(b,c).

It is also possible to navigate to nonmovable points if they are associated with a label such as in this sample graph.

When one or more interactive points or draggable images have been created, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts to interact with them:

Note: The distance that a point moves in response to these keyboard commands will vary depending on your screen size, X/Y limits, and zoom ratio settings. Also, be aware that it is technically possible to move a point off the screen. Should this occur, you can move it back on screen so long as you have not navigated away from the point beforehand.

Learn more about movable points, try them out with a sample graph, or practice with a draggable image.

Desmos provides hotkeys, which can be used anywhere within the calculator to aid in managing graphs, adding expressions, and adjusting graph settings.

The Desmos graphing calculator has the ability to export graphs for a Braille embosser which enables a student to feel the graph rather than hear it. Supported embossers include the View Plus Tiger VP Max and the Enabling Technologies Romeo 60 and Juliet 120.

To export a graph for embossing on a Tiger VP Max, first verify that the latest desktop View Plus drivers have been installed. Next:

Before embossing to an Enabling Technologies device, please ensure that Firebird has been installed along with the drivers for your printer. Next:

When a Braille embosser mode has been selected, it is also possible to download a Braille representation of the expression list by clicking the Download Braille Equations button in the export dialog. Be aware that the generated file is designed to be read on an electronic Braille display. Additional formatting may be required prior to sending it to a Braille printer.

You can download the Desmos Graphing Calculator app for Android or iOS. On Android, we recommend devices running at least Android 5.0 with Chrome 54 or newer installed along with an external keyboard to enter expressions and issue commands. The calculator's interface is fully accessible to VoiceOver users running iOS 9 and newer, though we recommend at least iOS 11 for the best experience. Like Android, we recommend the use of an external Bluetooth keyboard for the most optimal experience. For more information regarding TalkBack and VoiceOver, refer to Android accessibility information or VoiceOver information.

If you rely on a Braille display, it is possible to read and write equations in Desmos using the two most common mathematical Braille codes in North America: Nemeth and Unified English Braille (UEB). Braille is currently available in our four-function, scientific, and graphing calculators as well as in Classroom Activities. Be aware that your screen reader should be set for Computer Braille input and output to minimize the risk of translation errors. If you have not done so, please configure your screen reader before continuing.

When working with any of the calculators, you can set the active Braille mode between Nemeth, UEB, or off by first opening the Settings menu to the right of the expression list and activating the respective buttons inside the Braille group. When inside an activity, the same Braille options may be found by opening the sidebar on the left (which screen readers will announce as "Activity Settings") and opening the Accessibility Settings menu.

For a quick overview on using Braille in Desmos Classroom, visit the Help Center Accessibility page.

Out of the box, the application expects characters you type to come from a connected Braille display. If you would rather write Braille from your computer keyboard and use the display strictly for reading, check the Six Key Braille Input option. When it is active, use the Home Row keys (S, D, F, J, K, and L) to enter Braille dots 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, and 6 just as you would on your Braille display or a manual Braille writer.

Once you have selected your desired Braille options, press Esc to close the Settings menu. Alternatively, the following keyboard shortcuts may be used:

Once your Braille preference has been set, you can enter equations just as you would expect from your Braille display or computer keyboard. As you type, a print version of your equation updates in real-time so that a teacher or sighted partner can follow along. After you have written your equation, press TAB to review the evaluation result (or error if you entered something the calculator could not understand). Press SHIFT + TAB to return to the expression list. To create a new expression, press the DOWN ARROW or Enter. Finally, use the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW to move up and down the expression list.

When a Braille input mode has been selected, it is also possible to download a Braille representation of the expression list by clicking the Download Braille Equations button in the Settings menu in the four-function and scientific calculator, or within the Share menu in the graphing calculator. Be aware that the generated file is designed to be read on an electronic Braille display. Additional formatting may be required prior to sending it to a Braille printer.

Check out the Braille examples page for tips on how to type Braille expressions.

If you are new to Braille mathematics, we recommend reading through the American Printing House for the Blind tutorials for either Nemeth or UEB.

The calculators are designed to make all functionality accessible from the keyboard. Select a calculator from the following list to view the keyboard shortcuts:

For those who would prefer to have a hard-copy list of all of the Desmos keyboard commands, we have created print and Braille versions of the Windows and Mac shortcuts as downloadable Microsoft Word and BRF files.

We are excited with our recent accessibility advances, and we also have more work to do. We would love your feedback on how we can support the best possible graphing experience for visually impaired students. Please email us at privacy@amplify.com with any questions or comments!

Using the Desmos Calculator? Visit the Accessibility page to learn more about accessibility with the Desmos calculators.