LaTeXVoice: Software For Creating And Editing
Latex Documents, Designed For Visually Impaired
Users
J. Prada Sanmiguel
Department of Communications - Decom
University of Campinas - Unicamp
São Paulo, Brazil
pradajul@decom.fee.unicamp.br
Abstract— In this paper we present the application LaTeXVoice,
which is a software tool that allows reading, creating, editing and
compiling LaTeX files, through the integration of accessibility
features aimed at visually impaired people. The main objective of
this project is the development of an interactive platform, which
allows people with any degree of visual impairment, they can
produce easy and friendly a scientific paper in PDF (Portable
Document Format) using the LaTeX language. This application
uses speech synthesis and audible interactive controls, which are
specially adapted to the needs and constraints that can get to
have a visually impaired person. Currently, the program's
interface supports three languages (Spanish, English and
Portuguese), however in the future seeks to extend its support. To
date, it is not known to the authors of this paper the existence of a
similar application that allows visually impaired person to create
any kind of scientific paper involving mathematical equations.
Keywords- visually impaired people, latex, scientific papers.
I. INTRODUCTION
Today people with some degree of visual impairment have
difficulty using computer tools, because even though there are
different types of software, such as screen readers and
magnifiers, they still do not allow overcoming all obstacles to
accessibility and usability found in these programs [4]
Nowadays people with visual impairment have limitations
when read, edit and create documents such as scientific books
and articles containing mathematical equations, because the
tools currently available for this purpose are not fully
accessible to the user. For these reasons we developed this
application LaTeXVoice, who taking advantage of the LaTeX
language for composing scientific texts, implements a text
editor with LaTeX own functions, adapted to the use of a
visually impaired person.
LaTeX is a typesetting system for document preparation,
widespread in academic environments such as universities,
which allows producing scientists and mathematical documents
of high typographical quality, as well as other types of
documents, from letters to full books. Unlike most text editors
known as Microsoft Word, Writer, Free Office, etc., in our case
the use of LaTeX is more advantageous, since this is based on
the concept: let publishers worry about the edition and the
authors for the content, meaning that the author only needs to
L. C. Martini
Department of Communications - Decom
University of Campinas - Unicamp
São Paulo, Brazil
martini@decom.fee.unicamp.br
write the text and then using a LaTeX compiler language is
implemented out document. Other advantages founded in
LaTeX are:
 LaTeX allows you to create truly professional-looking
documents.
 LaTeX guides the author to concentrate on the content
and logic of the ideas and not their appearance,
allowing obtaining well-structured documents.
 Create and edit LaTeX math equations using a fairly
robust set of instructions, while generating visually
pleasing results.
 Structures or sections of the document, such as
references, tables of contents, citations, etc., can be
easily generated throughout the document.
 The insertion of the sequential numbering of chapters
and sections is performed automatically.
 The computational resources required for the process
of writing and compiling code are few.
II. LATEXVOICE SOFTWARE
LaTeXVoice is an integrated development environment
(IDE Integrated Development Environment) that generates
LaTeX documents, see Fig. 1. This application is targeted for
users with visual impairments as it implements a number of
capabilities and features that make it fully accessible for this
type of users. As accessibility and usability features may be
mentioned the following
 LaTeX allows you to create truly professional-looking
documents.
 The program's user interface can be fully controlled
using the keyboard.
 The user controls and wizards were developed
considering the physical limitations that can have a
user with visual impairment.
 Implementation of a voice synthesizer that provides
the user with audible feedback. These feedbacks help
 guide the visually impaired through each of the
options of the application.
 Audible Help Messages, which can be accessed by the
user at any time. They provide information about the
condition and performance of each system options.
 Talking Text Editor developed according to the
specific needs of a person with visual impairment.
This editor has commands and functions that make it
possible for anyone with some degree of visual
impairment can produce text comfortable and friendly
way.
 The application has the ability to generate LaTeX code
automatically, using different types of wizards, this
greatly facilitates the configuration process of
document parameters, thus avoiding the generation of
errors in the compilation process program.
 Natural language processing, which enables playback
instructions and mathematical equations in a
compressible and natural language humans.
 Implementation of schemes for high-contrast colors
for visually impaired users.
 Compatibility with standard Microsoft SAPI5
synthetic voices, allowing the user to use the kind of
voice you prefer.
Figure 1. Software LaTeXVoice
For proper operation of LaTeXVoice there are some
minimum system requirements, which are listed below:
 Windows XP or higher operating system.
 Distribution LaTeX/MikTeX 2.9 or higher, which is
freely available on internet.
 Libraries Microsoft Speech API (SAPI - Speech
Application Programming Interface), which are
normally included in the Windows OS.
 Voices SAPI5, depending on user preference.
Windows by default includes a US English voice;
additional voices can be purchased no market.
III. LATEXVOICE FEATURES
LaTeXVoice arose from the need to create a tool that would
enable and facilitate the visually impaired users to create and
edit technical documents containing mathematical equations.
Because it was necessary for the application to permit the
author to focus their attention on the content and the logical
distribution of ideas, not in appearance, and in turn, the
document obtained were well structured, with a professional
appearance.
For these reasons it was chosen as the language to LaTeX
format for documents created with LaTeXVoice program.
However, the use of LaTeX presents some difficulties
inexperienced users with the language, and even worse if the
target audience is the application visually impaired users. Some
of these problems are:
 Setting the document by means of commands and
instructions, this can produce errors when compiling
the document.
 The user needs to have prior knowledge of logic,
structure and syntax of the statements used in LaTeX.
 Some errors or formatting problems are not detected
by the compiler LaTeX, and can only be detected by
viewing the document directly.
 Mathematical equations summarized or reproduced
linearly are difficult to understand for blind users.
To solve the problems listed above, LaTeXVoice
implements a series of wizards that allow users to configure
and create a document quickly and friendly, without the need
for prior knowledge of LaTeX language, since most of the
instructions and commands are generated internally by the
application. On the other hand, users are more familiar with
LaTeX, can directly write the code in the application, without
the need to use wizards for this purpose. LaTeXVoice wizards
allow:
 Setting the preamble of the document, which have
parameters such as the type of document, type of
paper, the margins of the page, the font size, etc., see
Fig. 2.
 Setting the title, abstract, keywords, and authors of the
document.
 Inserting headers and footnotes page.
 Creating, editing and inserting mathematical
equations, tables, lists and figures.
 Creating, editing and inserting references. The
bibliography reference format is set automatically by
the application, depending on the type of this:
congress, article, book, etc.
 Setting the text formatting: type, size, style and color.

Figure 2. Wizard to configure the document preamble.
IV. SYSTEM STRUCTURE
The LaTeXVoice application is structured as shown in Fig.
3, the first stage consists of the graphical interface and wizards
and a second that uses external resources, such as audio
libraries to implement resources and accessibility options, and
compiler for the interpretation and compilation of LaTeX code.
Microsoft Speech API (SAPI): Speech Application
Programming Interface (SAPI) is a set of libraries developed by
Microsoft to allow the use of TTS (Text to Speech) in Windows
applications. LaTeXVoice uses these libraries to implement
audible feedbacks, which allow the application to be accessible
to users with visual impairments.
Text to Speech Voices: Language and speech quality of the
application depends directly on the TTS voices installed on the
Windows operating system, so the user is free to install and use
the TTS voice of your choice, being only necessary that this
version is compatible with Windows SAPI5. In the market there
are various companies such as Ivona Software, AT & T Natural
Voices, Nuance Vocalizer Voice, Acapela Group, etc., which
offer different options TTS.
Audio: The application uses a set of audio files in WAV and
MP3 formats, which are used to play sounds and messages in
some parts of the program.
MiKTeX Compiler: MiKTeX is a TeX/LaTeX distribution
for Windows that provides the necessary tools to create
documents using TeX/LaTeX language. LaTeXVoice use this
tool to interpret and compile LaTeX (File TeX) code and create
PDF documents.
Figure 3. LaTexVoice system structure.
A. Build Process
When you create a new document, are created a number of
files and folders which allow automatically organize each
document related files like folders for figures, tables,
mathematical equations, references, etc., see Fig. 4.
Figure 4. Directory structure of a project LaTeXVoice.
Moreover, the document settings are stored in XML files,
which are then read to generate the LaTeX code to be compiled
by the program.
The process of compiling a project LaTeXVoice basically
consists of the following steps:
 Reading XML configuration files for the LaTeX
document preamble.
 Reading XML file with the authors, title, keywords (if
any) of the document.
 Reading XML files with the references of the
document.
 Creation of an intermediate code, which is then
translated into LaTeX language.
 Creating a temporary file TEX, this contains the
configuration and content of the document.
 The temporary files are sent to the TEX compiler
MikTeX and generate a PDF document.
 The audible MikTeX compiler returns a message
indicating the creation of the PDF file, if any
compilation errors, the program will prompt the user
 through an audible message, type, description and the
position of the error.
V. CREATING AND READING MATHEMATICAL EQUATIONS
A big problem for the visually impaired during the process
of creating scientific content is writing mathematical
expressions, as mathematical notation must be shown in such a
way that the general structure of an equation can be quickly
transmitted to the reader of the document [5]. For example, in
(1) represents a mathematical equation with a notation that is
easily and quickly performed by the reader, on the other hand,
this does not happen with the equation in (2), which has the
same meaning of equation in (1), but uses a different
representation.

For the visually impaired write the (2) is easier, since this
only uses plain text, however, your understanding will be more
difficult, both to him and to the reader. Equation (1) is further
illustrated, but his writing and comprehension is a major
challenge for the visually impaired person.
LaTeXVoice implements a system for creating content using
LaTeX mathematical language, which by audible attendees, the
user creates and generates the equation in the correct format
without having to worry about the prior knowledge of LaTeX
commands for this purpose. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 describe the
assistants used to create mathematical equations.
Figure 5. Wizard for creating and editing mathematical equations.
Figure 6. Wizard to select and insert symbols and mathematical functions
To read the mathematical equations, the system parses the
equation, identifying operators, functions, symbols, variables
and characters to generate a text string, which is played by the
synthesizer in a natural language for humans. For example, in
(3):
which would normally be summarized as:
to, equal to, backslash, sqrt, open
bracket, open bracket, b, backslash,
over, two, close bracket, close
bracket
in LaTeXVoice is reproduced as follows:
a, equal to, square root, b, divided
by two
This type of reading makes the process of editing and
creating mathematical equations, and in turn makes the visually
impaired have a mental image of the closest to reality
mathematical equation.
For further processing and playback of the mathematical
equation, LaTeXVoice does the following:
 Capturing the mathematical equation.
The equation is A = \ sqrt {{b \ over 2}}
 Parameter identification and separation.
A = \sqrt { { b \over 2 } }
 Allocation audio, see Tab. 1.
 TABLE 1. ALLOCATION AUDIO TO THE PARAMETERS OF A MATHEMATICAL
EQUATION
Parameter Audio
A a
= Equal to
\sqrt Square root
{
{ First author, name, Julian Prada
b b
\over Divided by
2 two
} program could talk:
} Document Type: Article in two
 Creating text string to play
a, equal to, square root, b, divided by
two.
 Playing the mathematical equation.
VI. TALKING TEXT EDITOR
LaTeXVoice implements an audible text editor, which is
based on the text editor for the visually impaired program
known as Dosvox [3]. This editor uses a speech synthesizer to
play in real time, the text the user will write and provides
immediate feedback that notifies you when certain action such
as copy, cut, paste, select, etc., is performed. Moreover, the
editor is adapted to recognize and interpret LaTeX code, so this
allows specific actions depending on the LaTeX sentence
recognized. Fig. 7 shows the basic structure of the text editor.
Figure 7. Text editor structure
VII. SYSTEM USER SUPPORT
LaTeXVoice contains audible helpful information which can
be heard by pressing the F1 key, this information will vary
depending on the window that is currently visible and active. It
also has an audible tutorial where users are taught to handle the
program interface and provides information about each
available instruction LaTeX.
Moreover, when a new document is created, they are
created a series of XML files, which will store information
related to the document settings, for example document type,
number of columns, document title, margins, information about
authors, etc.
These files allow the user to press for example Ctrl + F2,
learn about writers, such as:
Sanmiguel, institution, Unicamp,
department, Decom ... etc.
Another example would be when you press Ctrl + F3, the
columns, page size: A4, upper margin,
two centimeters ... etc.
This type of support allows the visually impaired to quickly
access, information and document settings, allowing the user to
mentally visualize the format and final appearance of the
document.
VIII. CONCLUSIONS
This article was submitted an application that allows and
facilitates visually impaired create and edit scientific
documents using LaTeX language. This tool allows the
deficient to create well-structured documents with a
professional look.
Wizards implemented in LaTeXVoice allow the visually
impaired, set the main parameters of the document without the
need for prior knowledge of the structure and syntax of LaTeX
commands and instructions.
Using wizards decreases the generation of errors at compile
time of the document, as the LaTeX code is generated internally
by the program, so the user does not interact directly with this.
Moreover the learning curve of the program also decreases
dramatically because prior knowledge of LaTeX is not required
to use the application.
LaTeXVoice help the visually impaired in creating and
editing mathematical equations, as the wizard created for this
purpose, gives a reading of the equation in a language
comprehensible to humans, allowing the deficient, have better
mental visualization equation that is writing.
The text editor implemented in LaTeXVoice was developed
taking into account the specific needs of the visually impaired,
which makes the process of writing and reading the document
is quite easy and natural for users with disabilities.
Use TTS for synthesizing and playing text makes the user to
use the program in the language and voice playback quality on
your preference. Currently LaTeXVoice is available in English,
Spanish and Portuguese, but soon will have support for more
languages.
REFERENCES
[1] J. Prada. “Desenvolvimento de um Programa Aplicativo de Uso para
Deficientes Visuais que Proporciona a Implementação de Cálculo de
Formas Matemáticas num Editor de Texto”. Master Thesis. University of
Campinas, SP, Brazil, 2010.
[2] J. Prada. Mathematics software programming resources aimed at
visually impaired users - Matvox. Advances in Information Technology
and Applied Computing, ICISCA, Bali, Indonesia, 2012, vol. 1, pp 310-
314.
[3] M. Pinheiro. “Edivox – Editor de textos para deficientes visuais”,
Bachelor computer thesis. IM/UFRJ, Brazil. 2004
[4] J. A. Borgues. “Dosvox – Uma nova realidade educacional para
Deficientes Visuais”. Jornal Benjamim Constant, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
1996, vol. 3.
[5] S. Eberli, Samer. “O Software Livre como Alternativa para a Inclusão
Digital do Deficiente Visual”. Master Thesis. University of Campinas,
SP, Brazil, 2006.
[6] P. Mejia, “Application of Mathematical Finance Program designed for
visually impaired users”, Advances in Information Technology and
Applied Computing, ICISCA, Bali, Indonesia, 2012, vol. 1, pp 315-320.