If you’ve ever struggled to get JAWS to read math correctly on your computer, this walk-through will make your life much easier. In this video, I demonstrate how to set JAWS for either UEB Maths or Nemeth math using the JAWS UEB/Nemeth Settings, then show you how to create accessible math using Word’s Math Editor and the Braille Math Editor. Whether you’re a TVI (Teacher of the Blind), a student, or an AT (Access Technology) specialist, these steps will help you produce clear, accurate, and accessible math every time.

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WORD MATH EDITOR Setup

1. Open the Math Editor

• Alt + =

2. Open the Equation Tools tab

• Alt + J, E

3. Open Math Options (Settings)

• T, 1
  (This opens the Math Options dialog.)

4. Set Alignment to Left
Inside the Math Options dialog:

• Alt + J → moves to Justification
• L → Left alignment
• Alt + D → Set as Default
• Tab, Tab → to OK
• Enter
• When asked to save as default, choose Yes
  (This saves the settings to the Normal template.)

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5. Check Conversion (if math looks wrong)

While inside a math zone:

• Alt + =
• Alt + J, E
• C → Convert
• Make sure it is set to Professional

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WORD MATH EDITOR — Command Sequence (JAWS + Keyboard)

Open the Math Editor

• Press Alt + =
  This inserts a new math zone and opens the Word Math Editor.

Move in and out of the math zone

• Right Arrow → move into the math zone
• Right Arrow again → move through elements
• Left Arrow → move backward
• Esc → exit the math zone and return to normal text

Insert common structures

• Fraction → Ctrl + /
• Exponent → Ctrl + Shift + =
• Subscript → Ctrl + =
• Square root → type \sqrt then press Space
• Matrix → type \matrix then press Space
• Parentheses → type ( then ) (Word auto‑sizes them)

Insert math symbols using LaTeX shortcuts

• \pi + Space → π
• \alpha + Space → α
• \neq + Space → ≠
• \le + Space → ≤
• \ge + Space → ≥
• \div for divide
• \times for times
• \sqrt for square root

(Word’s Math Editor accepts most LaTeX commands-check out list in link.)

Navigate inside structures

• Right Arrow → move to next placeholder
• Left Arrow → move back
• Ctrl + Right Arrow → jump out of a structure
• Ctrl + Left Arrow → jump into previous structure
• To read the braille the easiest–OPEN BME

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BRAILLE MATH EDITOR (BME) — Command Sequence (JAWS + Keyboard)

Open the Braille Math Editor

• Press Alt + Shift + =
  (This opens the BME window for UEB contracted math input.)

Choose UEB or Nemeth

Inside BME:

• Press Alt + M → opens Math Code menu
• Press U → UEB Math
• Press N → Nemeth Math

(You can teach students to confirm the code before typing.)

Enter math using braille input

• Type using six‑key entry on the braille display or keyboard
• Use Space to confirm symbols
• Use Backspace to correct braille cells

Navigate inside the math expression

• Left Arrow → move left
• Right Arrow → move right
• Ctrl + Left Arrow → jump to previous element
• Ctrl + Right Arrow → jump to next element

Insert common structures

• Fraction → dots 3‑4 then 3‑4 (opening and closing fraction indicators)
• Superscript → dot 5
• Subscript → dot 2
• Square root → dots 1‑2‑3‑5
• Parentheses → dots 1‑2‑6 and 3‑5‑6

(These follow UEB math rules; Nemeth uses different indicators.)

Send math back to Word

• Press Alt + S → Save and return to Word
• The math appears in the document as a fully formatted math object

Exit without saving

• Press Alt + F4
• Choose No if you don’t want to insert the math

Watch Video for full details and below are essential keyboard commands to teach students.

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