Overview
On this page, you will find our latest documentation about the accessibility features in the Desmos Calculators, including how to emboss graphs and read and write equations in Braille.
Read on, or visit these pages with additional resources about the accessibility features of the Desmos Calculators:
Why Accessibility is Important
Our mission at Desmos Studio is to help everyone learn math, love math, and grow with math. Our graphing calculator is used by millions of people all around the world, and we'd like to see that use expand to everyone, including those with physical and cognitive disabilities.
The Desmos websites and software have been written to conform to the WCAG 2.2 accessibility guidelines. Examples include a robust set of keyboard shortcuts across our products, respecting font-size settings of low vision users, ensuring that our colors have sufficient contrast, honoring users' motion preferences (so that, for example, graphs do not automatically animate if requested), providing screen reader and Braille access to our equation editor, and making graphs accessible to fully blind students via audio and tactile output.
Our Calculators and Geometry Accessibility Conformance Reports are available for parties interested in a more systematic breakdown of how we have aimed to satisfy each WCAG criterion across our products.
Accessible design is an on-going process, and we realize that no system is perfect. Please email us at accessibility@desmos.com with any questions, comments, or suggestions for improvement. For other support questions, please email support@desmos.com.
Supported Browsers
The Desmos tools are regularly tested with the most recent editions of ChromeVox, JAWS For Windows, Narrator, 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
Screen Reader Setup
Before you use the calculators, please read the Windows, Mac, iPhone and iPad, Android, or Chromebook instructions below to ensure your screen reader is properly configured.
Windows Instructions
Here are important tips for using the Desmos Graphing Calculator with JAWS, NVDA, and Microsoft Narrator.
JAWS for Windows
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 "semi-auto" 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 times 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.
- Press JAWS + 6 to open Settings Center.
- Navigate to Braille → General → Translation.
- Press the DOWN ARROW until Output is selected.
- Press SPACE until "Computer Braille" is selected. If "Computer Braille" is not available, you will also need to choose a language with a Computer Braille table, such as "English United States."
- Optionally, to minimize the amount of extra information shown on the display (such as status cells), navigate to Braille → General → Braille Mode, and press SPACE until "Line" is selected.
- Press ALT + F4 to close Settings Center.
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
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 toggles 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:
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.
- Press NVDA + N to open the NVDA menu.
- Navigate to Preferences → Settings.
- Select the "Braille" group.
- Ensure that the input and output tables are set to "English, U.S. 6-Dot Computer Braille" or "English, U.S. 8-Dot Computer Braille."
- 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
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 toggles 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.
- Press CTRL + WINDOWS + N to open the Narrator settings window.
- Navigate to the Braille options.
- Ensure the input and output languages are set to English and that the input and output tables are configured for "Computer Braille (8-dot)."
- Press ALT + F4 to close the Settings window.
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.
Apple Mac Instructions
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 toggle 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 toggle the above options from the display. See "Chapter 10. Using Braille Displays" in Apple’s VoiceOver documentation for more information.
- Ensure that your Mac is running High Sierra (10.13) or newer.
- Press VO + F8 to open the VoiceOver Utility.
- Select the Braille category, and navigate to the Layout tab.
- Verify that "Show Contracted Braille" and "Use Automatic Braille Translation" are unchecked, and "Show 8-Dot Braille" is checked.
- Press COMMAND + W to close the VoiceOver Utility.
Depending on the Braille display in use, there may be a keyboard shortcut available to toggle the above 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.
Apple iPhone and iPad Instructions
VoiceOver is Apple's built-in screen reader on the iPhone and iPad. It can be activated or deactivated in three ways:
- Tapping the VoiceOver toggle switch located in Settings → Accessibility → VoiceOver.
- Instructing Siri to turn VoiceOver on or off.
- Triple-clicking the home button (if available) or the power button (if not).
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:
- Open Settings → Accessibility → VoiceOver → Braille.
- Ensure that both input and output modes are set to "8-dot" to avoid possible translation errors. If the display includes a Perkins-style keyboard, you may also press SPACE and DOTS 1-2-4-5 to cycle through the output modes, and SPACE and DOTS 2-3-6 to cycle through input modes from anywhere in iOS.
- If the display length is small, users may wish to disable "General" and "Text" status cells.
More information about VoiceOver is available on Apple's website, along with a list of common Braille display commands.
Android Instructions
Modern Android devices ship with the Google Accessibility Suite, which includes support for screen reading, magnification, voice input, and Braille. TalkBack (the default Android screen reader and the focus of this section) may be turned on or off in two ways:
- Pressing and holding both volume keys for three seconds.
- Manually activating Talkback in Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack.
The Desmos software will work without any need to adjust TalkBack's default behavior. However, to minimize the amount of spoken text as you use the program, we suggest turning off the "Speak Usage Hints" option and, if a physical keyboard is in use, setting the "Keyboard Echo (Physical Keyboard)" item to "None." In addition, depending on the active text-to-speech voice, you may wish to refine how much punctuation TalkBack announces. Each of these options may be found by navigating to Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack → Settings, followed by either the Verbosity or Text to Speech Output menus. We also strongly suggest using an external Bluetooth keyboard if possible for increased efficiency, though the Desmos apps and website are fully operable without one.
If you are running TalkBack 13 or newer and wish to access the Desmos calculators with a paired Braille display, we recommend making the following additional changes:
- Open Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack → Settings.
- Verify that the Talkback Braille Keyboard has been enabled. You will be unable to use your display to type text without it.
- In the Languages menu, verify that "6-dot Computer Braille" has been installed. If not, you may do so by selecting "Add a Language" and checking the checkbox for the language(s) you wish to have available.
- Ensure that both typing and reading modes are set to "6-dot Computer Braille" to avoid possible translation errors. If the display includes a Perkins-style keyboard, you may also press DOTS 2-4-7-8 to cycle through the available language choices for typing, and DOTS 1-3-5-7-8 for reading from anywhere in Android while Talkback is active.
Note: TalkBack's navigation keystrokes will not be available while an expression is focused and you are typing math with your Braille keyboard. To review what you have written or to read any evaluated output, use your display's panning keys. Interacting with any other part of the app will restore TalkBack's navigation commands.
More information regarding TalkBack is available on Google's Android Accessibility website, along with Google's TalkBack and Braille reference.
Chromebook Instructions
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:
- Connect the display to the ChromeBook via USB.
- Press Search + O, then O.
- While holding Search, press RIGHT ARROW until you hear "Switch to 6-Dot Braille" or "Switch to 8-Dot Braille."
- Press ENTER to accept the change.
- Press CTRL + W to close the settings window.
For more information about ChromeVox, see Google’s documentation.
Using the Calculators
Expression Entry and Navigation
All right. 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, TAB moves out of a block. In a fraction, UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW move between the numerator and denominator. Home and End move to the beginning and end of the current block, and CTRL + Home or End move to the beginning and end of the active expression.
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.
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Mover a la expresión anterior | UP ARROW, SHIFT + Tab | UP ARROW, SHIFT + Tab |
| Mover a la siguiente expresión | DOWN ARROW, Tab | DOWN ARROW, Tab |
| Pasar al elemento anterior (salta las celdas de la tabla) | PAGE UP | Fn + UP ARROW |
| Mover al siguiente elemento (salta las celdas de la tabla) | PAGE DOWN | Fn + DOWN ARROW |
| Eliminar la expresión vacía seleccionada | Backspace | Delete |
| Carácter previo | LEFT ARROW | LEFT ARROW |
| Carácter siguiente | RIGHT ARROW | RIGHT ARROW |
| Mover al numerador de la fracción | UP ARROW | UP ARROW |
| Mover al denominador de la fracción | DOWN ARROW | DOWN ARROW |
| Salir del bloque actual | Tab | Tab |
| Comienzo del bloque actual | Home | Fn + LEFT ARROW |
| Final del bloque actual | End | Fn + RIGHT ARROW |
| Comienzo de la expresión actual | CTRL + Home | CTRL + Fn + LEFT ARROW |
| Fin de la expresión actual | CTRL + End | CTRL + Fn + RIGHT ARROW |
| Aumentar la selección izquierda | SHIFT + LEFT ARROW | SHIFT + LEFT ARROW |
| Aumentar la selección derecha | SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW | SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW |
| Eliminar selección | Backspace | Delete |
| Seleccionar todo | CTRL + A | COMMAND + A |
| Indicar Bloque Principal | CTRL + ALT + UP ARROW | CTRL + Option + UP ARROW |
| Indicar Bloque Centrado | CTRL + ALT + DOWN ARROW | CTRL + Option + DOWN ARROW |
| Indicar Bloque a la izquierda | CTRL + ALT + LEFT ARROW | CTRL + Option + LEFT ARROW |
| Indicar Bloque a la derecha | CTRL + ALT + RIGHT ARROW | CTRL + Option + RIGHT ARROW |
| Indicar Selección | CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW | CTRL + Option + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW |
| Indicar respuesta | CTRL + ALT + = | CTRL + Option + SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW |
| Mostrar respuesta como Decimal o Fracción | ALT + SHIFT + A | COMMAND + SHIFT + A |
Typing Symbols
The calculator includes methods for entering special types of symbols and expressions. We have included some of the most common symbols below.
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
"a" Superscript, "b" , Baseline | ^ (SHIFT + 6) | ^ (SHIFT + 6) |
"a" Subscript, "b" , Baseline | _ (SHIFT + -) | _ (SHIFT + -) |
less than or equal to | <= | <= |
greater than or equal to | >= | >= |
"a" prime | ' | ' |
StartFraction, "a" Over "b" , EndFraction | frac | frac |
StartRoot, "a" , EndRoot | sqrt | sqrt |
Start Cube Root, "a" , End Cube Root | cbrt | cbrt |
Root Index "n" , Start Root, "a" , End Root | nthroot | nthroot |
Start sum from "n" equals "a" to "b" , end sum, | sum | sum |
Start integral from "a" to "b" , end integral, | int | int |
Start product from "n" equals "a" to "b" , end product, | prod | prod |
pi | pi | pi |
theta | theta | theta |
to | -> | -> |
More details regarding these and other functions are available on the Desmos Help Center.
Supported Functions
The Desmos calculators support a wide range of operations and functions. As this list can be quite extensive depending on the tool, we have created a dedicated page which describes each function, how to type it, and an example of its usage. Click here for the complete list of supported functions.
Table Entry
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.
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Celda anterior | SHIFT + TAB | SHIFT + TAB |
| Siguiente celda | TAB | TAB |
| Fila anterior | UP ARROW | UP ARROW |
| Siguiente fila | DOWN ARROW | DOWN ARROW |
| Columna anterior | LEFT ARROW | LEFT ARROW |
| Siguiente columna | RIGHT ARROW | RIGHT ARROW |
| Primera fila de la columna | CTRL + UP ARROW | CTRL + UP ARROW |
| Última fila de la columna | CTRL + DOWN ARROW | CTRL + DOWN ARROW |
| Primera columna de la fila | CTRL + LEFT ARROW | CTRL + LEFT ARROW |
| Última columna de la fila | CTRL + RIGHT ARROW | CTRL + RIGHT ARROW |
| Indicar encabezado de la columna | CTRL + H | CTRL + H |
| Añadir regresión desde la tabla activa | CTRL + ALT + R | CTRL + COMMAND + R |
Sliders
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 below 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 keyboard shortcuts below to adjust each slider when its handle is focused.
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Disminuir el valor | LEFT ARROW | LEFT ARROW |
| Disminuir el valor por una cantidad mayor | PAGE DOWN | FN + DOWN ARROW |
| Aumentar el valor | RIGHT ARROW | RIGHT ARROW |
| Incrementar el valor por una cantidad mayor | PAGE UP | FN + UP ARROW |
| Valor más bajo | HOME | FN + LEFT ARROW |
| Valor más alto | END | FN + RIGHT ARROW |
Audio Trace for Expressions with a Graph
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:
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Activar o desactivar el modo Seguimiento de Audio | ALT + T | OPTION + T |
| Resumir la curva seleccionada | ALT + S | OPTION + S |
| Describir los ejes de la gráfica | ALT + G | OPTION + G |
| Punto anterior | LEFT ARROW, UP ARROW, J | LEFT ARROW, UP ARROW, J |
| Siguiente punto | RIGHT ARROW, DOWN ARROW, L | RIGHT ARROW, DOWN ARROW, L |
| Punto de interés anterior | PAGE UP, SHIFT + TAB, K | FN + UP ARROW, SHIFT + TAB, K |
| Siguiente punto de interés | PAGE DOWN, TAB, I | FN + DOWN ARROW, TAB, I |
| Primer punto | HOME, U | FN + LEFT ARROW, U |
| Último punto | END N | FN + RIGHT ARROW N |
| Indicar la cuenta de punto de interés | P | P |
| Indicar coordenada X | X | X |
| Indicar coordenada Y | Y | Y |
| Indicar el color | C | C |
| Indicar tramo | B | B |
| Indicar tipo de punto seleccionado | T | T |
| Mover al origen | O | O |
| Mover a la curva anterior | ALT + UP ARROW | OPTION + UP ARROW |
| Mover a la siguiente curva | ALT + DOWN ARROW | OPTION + DOWN ARROW |
| Escuchar la gráfica | H | H |
| Escuchar solo los tramos del 1 al 10 | 1 - 0 | 1 - 0 |
| Ajustar velocidad de reproducción (1 = más lento, 5 = más rápido) | ALT + 1 - 5 | OPTION + 1 - 5 |
| Aumentar el volumen | V | V |
| Disminuir el volumen | SHIFT + V | SHIFT + V |
| Anunciar animaciones activas del control deslizante | A | A |
Slider Trace
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:
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Alternar el modo de seguimiento del control deslizante | S | S |
| Disminuir el valor del control deslizante seleccionado mientras esté en Seguimiento de Control Deslizante | LEFT ARROW J | LEFT ARROW J |
| Disminuir el valor del control deslizante seleccionado por una cantidad mayor mientras esté en Seguimiento de Control Deslizante | PAGE DOWN | FN + DOWN ARROW |
| Incrementar el valor del control deslizante seleccionado mientras esté en Seguimiento de Control Deslizante | RIGHT ARROW L | RIGHT ARROW L |
| Incrementar el valor del control deslizante seleccionado por una cantidad mayor mientras esté en Seguimiento de Control Deslizante | PAGE UP | FN + UP ARROW |
| Mover al valor mínimo del control deslizante seleccionado mientras esté en Seguimiento de Control Deslizante | HOME U | FN + LEFT ARROW U |
| Mover al máximo valor del control deslizante seleccionado cuando esté en Seguimiento de Control Deslizante | END N | FN + RIGHT ARROW N |
| Seleccionar el próximo control deslizante mientras esté en Seguimiento del Control Deslizante | DOWN ARROW, TAB, K | DOWN ARROW, TAB, K |
| Seleccionar el control deslizante anterior mientras esté en Seguimiento del Control Deslizante | UP ARROW, SHIFT + TAB, I | UP ARROW, SHIFT + TAB, I |
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.
Audio Trace Examples
The following examples demonstrate a few different types of equations and how they are rendered in audio trace. We recommend listening with a set of headphones or stereo speakers for maximum fidelity.
- "y" equals "x"Notice how the pitch of the tone increases as it moves from left to right, indicating a positive slope, and the static that is added when the line is below the X axis. Open this graph in the calculator.
- "y" equals negative "x"Notice how the pitch of the tone decreases as it moves from left to right, indicating a negative slope, and the static that is added when the line is below the X axis. Open this graph in the calculator.
- "y" equals sine ( "x" )Notice how the pitch of the tone regularly increases and decreases as it moves from left to right, indicating a periodic function, and the static that plays each time the line moves below the X axis. Open this graph in the calculator.
- "y" equals "x" squaredNotice how the tone starts high, drops down, and raises as it moves from left to right, indicating a parabolic curve. Open this graph in the calculator.
- "x" squared plus "y" squared equals 9This is the equation for a circle. Unlike the previous examples, this equation has two solutions which are played in sequence. First, from left to right, you will hear the tone move down, then up, which is the lower half of the circle. Next, from left to right, you hear a tone moving up, then down, indicating the top half of the circle. We welcome feedback on how we might better convey multi-solution graphs through sound. Open this graph in the calculator.
Interactive Points and Images in a Graph
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:
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Centrar primer punto interactivo en la pantalla | CTRL + ALT + P | CTRL + COMMAND + P |
| Ir al siguiente punto interactivo | TAB | TAB |
| Ir al punto Interactivo anterior | SHIFT + TAB | SHIFT + TAB |
| Aumentar X | RIGHT ARROW | RIGHT ARROW |
| Disminuir X | LEFT ARROW | LEFT ARROW |
| Aumentar Y | UP ARROW | UP ARROW |
| Disminuir Y | DOWN ARROW | DOWN ARROW |
| Incrementar X por una cantidad mayor | SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW | SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW |
| Disminuir X por una cantidad mayor | SHIFT + LEFT ARROW | SHIFT + LEFT ARROW |
| Incrementar Y por una cantidad mayor | SHIFT + UP ARROW | SHIFT + UP ARROW |
| Disminuir Y por una cantidad mayor | SHIFT + DOWN ARROW | SHIFT + DOWN ARROW |
| Indicar coordenada X | X | X |
| Indicar coordenada Y | Y | Y |
| Leer rótulo | L | L |
| Indicar el color | C | C |
Note: the distance that a point moves in response to the above 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.
Acciones comunes
Desmos provides hotkeys which can be used anywhere within the calculator for adding expressions, and adjusting graph settings.
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Cerrar un diálogo | ESC | ESC |
| Mostrar u ocultar lista de expresiones | SHIFT + ALT + E | SHIFT + COMMAND + E |
| Centrar la lista de expresiones | CTRL + ALT + E | CTRL + COMMAND + E |
| Opciones abiertas para la expresión en foco | CTRL + SHIFT + O | CTRL + SHIFT + O |
| Mostrar u ocultar la expresión seleccionada | SHIFT + ALT + H | SHIFT + COMMAND + H |
| Eliminar la Expresión en foco | CTRL + SHIFT + D | CTRL + SHIFT + D |
| Alternar entre grados y radianes | ALT + D | CTRL + D |
| Mostrar u ocultar el teclado | ALT + K | CTRL + K |
| Silenciar o quitar silencio en la reproducción del audio | ALT + M | CTRL + M |
| Añadir expresión | CTRL + ALT + X | CTRL + COMMAND + X |
| Añadir una nota | CTRL + ALT + O | CTRL + COMMAND + O |
| Añadir una carpeta | CTRL + ALT + F | CTRL + COMMAND + F |
| Colapsar la carpeta seleccionada | ALT + UP ARROW | COMMAND + UP ARROW |
| Expandir la carpeta seleccionada | ALT + DOWN ARROW | COMMAND + DOWN ARROW |
| Colapsar todas las carpetas | ALT + SHIFT + UP ARROW | COMMAND + SHIFT + UP ARROW |
| Expandir todas las carpetas | ALT + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW | COMMAND + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW |
| Añadir imagen | CTRL + ALT + I | CTRL + COMMAND + I |
| Añadir tabla | CTRL + ALT + T | CTRL + COMMAND + T |
| Deshacer | CTRL + Z | COMMAND + Z |
| Rehacer | CTRL + SHIFT + Z | COMMAND + SHIFT + Z |
| Acercar | ALT + + | CTRL + + |
| Alejar | ALT + - | CTRL + - |
| Restaurar ventana gráfica predeterminada | ALT + 0 | CTRL + 0 |
| Ajustar al tamaño | SHIFT + ALT + Z | SHIFT + OPTION + Z |
| Desplazar el gráfico en una dirección determinada (cuando está enfocado) | FLECHA HACIA ARRIBA, FLECHA HACIA ABAJO, FLECHA HACIA LA IZQUIERDA o FLECHA HACIA LA DERECHA | FLECHA HACIA ARRIBA, FLECHA HACIA ABAJO, FLECHA HACIA LA IZQUIERDA o FLECHA HACIA LA DERECHA |
| Activar o desactivar el modo Editar Lista | CTRL + ALT + D | CTRL + OPTION + D |
| Abrir o cerrar el menú de configuración de gráficas | CTRL + ALT + G | CTRL + COMMAND + G |
There are also some keyboard shortcuts that are only applicable to www.desmos.com, for managing graphs and navigating the website.
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Abrir el cuadro de diálogo de los atajos de teclado | CTRL + / | COMMAND + / |
| Abrir una gráfica | CTRL + O | COMMAND + O |
| Guardar una gráfica | CTRL + S | COMMAND + S |
| Imprimir una gráfica | CTRL + P | COMMAND + P |
| Abrir o cerrar el menú de la cuenta | CTRL + ALT + A | CTRL + COMMAND + A |
| Abrir o cerrar el menú de ayuda | CTRL + ALT + H | CTRL + COMMAND + H |
| Abrir o cerrar el menú de idioma | CTRL + ALT + L | CTRL + COMMAND + L |
| Abrir o cerrar el menú de compartir | CTRL + ALT + S | CTRL + COMMAND + S |
Embossing Graphs
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.
Exporting to the View Plus Tiger VP Max
To export a graph for embossing on a Tiger VP Max, first verify that the latest desktop View Plus drivers have been installed. Next:
- Once a graph has been created, click the Share icon, or press CTRL + ALT + S on Windows, or CTRL + COMMAND + S on a Mac.
- Select "Export Image."
- Click the "Size" icon, and select the desired embosser and page size combination from the "Tactile Graphics Embossers" list that appears.
- If desired, also select which Braille translation mode to use (default is Nemeth).
- Right-click the graph image and select "Save to Desktop." If you are using Firefox or Chrome, you may opt to use the "Download PNG" button instead.
- Locate the saved image, right-click it, and select "Print."
- In the print dialog, set paper size to either 8.5 x 11 or 11.5 x 11 in (depending on the selected embosser option).
- Click print.
Exporting to the Enabling Technologies Romeo 60 and Juliet 120
Before embossing to an Enabling Technologies device, please ensure that Firebird has been installed along with the drivers for your printer. Next:
- Once a graph has been created, click the Share icon, or press CTRL + ALT + S on Windows, or CTRL + COMMAND + S on a Mac.
- Select "Export Image."
- Click the "Size" icon, and select the desired embosser and paper size combination from the "Tactile Graphics Embossers" list that appears.
- If desired, also select which Braille translation mode to use (default is Nemeth).
- Right-click the graph image and select "Save to Desktop." If you are using Firefox or Chrome, you may opt to use the "Download PNG" button instead.
- In Firebird, select File > Open > Image File and open the image you downloaded.
- Set the paper size to either 8.5 x 11.0 or 11.5 x 11.0 (depending on the selected embosser option).
- Click the "Edit" button in the right pane.
- Select File > Emboss in the edit window or press CTRL + E.
Downloading Braille Equations
When a Braille embosser mode has been selected, it is also possible to download a Braille representation of the expression list by accessing 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.
Using Geometry
Desmos Geometry is built with the same technology that powers the Desmos Graphing Calculator. Check out our graphing calculator instructions to read about the graphing calculator features that also work in geometry. The following describes additional features that are unique to Desmos Geometry.
Selecting a Tool
A geometry construction is composed of a combination of objects (such as points, segments, circles, angles, etc). To create a construction, you must first choose a tool which allows you to add one or more objects to the graph. To select a tool from the geometry toolbar:
- Press TAB until the construction toolbar has keyboard focus, or jump to it directly by pressing CTRL + ALT + M on a Windows device, or CTRL + COMMAND + M on an Apple computer.
- Press the LEFT ARROW and RIGHT ARROW keys to navigate among the primary tools. ENTER or RETURN activates the selected item and places your keyboard focus on the graph.
- If a tool is part of a group, use the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys to navigate among its related options. Press ENTER or RETURN to activate the tool or ESC to close the menu.
If your focus is on the graph, you may streamline tool selection by using any of the following keyboard shortcuts instead:
- To select the first through sixth top-level tools, press the digits 1 through 6.
- To cycle to the previous or next tool (equivalent to pressing the LEFT ARROW and RIGHT ARROW keys on the toolbar), press the - and =keys.
- To cycle to the previous or next related tool in the active category (equivalent to pressing the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys on the toolbar), press the [ and ] keys.
No matter how you select a tool, your focus will be placed on the graph so you can begin adding objects to your construction. As you work with each tool, a hint describing the type of input the tool expects is spoken aloud if you are using a screen reader. If you need a reminder on what you are being asked to add, press the ?. To cancel the active tool, press ESC.
The entire list of tool selection commands is listed below:
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Centrar la barra de herramientas de geometría | CTRL + ALT + M | CTRL + COMMAND + M |
| Moverse entre categorías en la barra de herramientas | LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW | LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW |
| Moverse por las herramientas en un menú desplegable | UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW | UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW |
| Seleccionar una herramienta y centrar la gráfica | ENTER | RETURN |
| Cancelar herramienta activa | ESC | ESC |
Navigating the Graph and its Objects
The graph paper is the primary area where items are constructed and explored. You may either TAB to reach it or bring attention to it by pressing CTRL + ALT + P on a Windows device or CTRL + COMMAND + P on an Apple computer.
How you navigate the graph depends on the tool you activated in the previous step. For example, if you have selected the point tool, or you are being asked to create a point, you may press the UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, and RIGHT ARROW keys to move up, down, left, and right on the graph. Adding CTRL to any of these keys moves you to the graph's top, bottom, left, or right edge. Note that your navigational pointer always starts at the center of the graph; that is, 50 percent from its top and left edges. If a screen reader is running, you will hear your position as it changes (such as "50 percent from left, 25 percent from top"). You will also be told if your cursor is near one or more objects (particularly important if you are looking for, or adding, points of intersection). If you are using either the select or box-select tools, the UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, and RIGHT ARROW keys will move the selected object(s) in the given direction. In all cases, pressing ENTER or RETURN performs the action for the active tool.
To explore the graphed objects, use either TAB to move to the next object or SHIFT + TAB to move to the previous one. If a screen reader is active, it announces information describing the type of item you have focused and additional details such as its label, coordinates, etc. If you missed the description or wish to hear it again, press D (for "description").
The following table lists all of the keyboard shortcuts for navigating and interacting with the graph:
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Centrar el papel cuadriculado | CTRL + ALT + P | CTRL + COMMAND + P |
| Navegar por los objetos construidos | UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW | UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW |
| Mover al borde superior de la gráfica | CTRL + UP ARROW | CTRL + UP ARROW |
| Mover al borde inferior de la gráfica | CTRL + DOWN ARROW | CTRL + DOWN ARROW |
| Mover al borde izquierdo de la gráfica | CTRL + LEFT ARROW | CTRL + LEFT ARROW |
| Mover al borde derecho de la gráfica | CTRL + RIGHT ARROW | CTRL + RIGHT ARROW |
| Prestar atención al siguiente objeto válido de la herramienta activa | TAB | TAB |
| Prestar atención al objeto válido anterior de la herramienta activa | SHIFT + TAB | SHIFT + TAB |
| Describir objetos bajo atención | D | D |
| Repetir la indicación de la herramienta activa | ? | ? |
| Seleccionar la enésima categoría de herramientas de construcción | 1, 2, 3, ..., 6 | 1, 2, 3, ..., 6 |
| Seleccionar la siguiente categoría de herramientas de construcción | = | = |
| Seleccionar la categoría anterior de herramientas de construcción | - | - |
| Seleccionar la siguiente herramienta dentro de la categoría activa | ] | ] |
| Seleccionar la herramienta anterior dentro de la categoría activa | [ | [ |
| Añadir un objeto bajo atención a la selección (cuando el cuadro de selección esté activo) | ENTER | RETURN |
| Arrastrar todos los objetos móviles | UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW | UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW |
| Eliminar objeto(s) seleccionado(s) | DELETE, BACKSPACE | DELETE, BACKSPACE |
| Centrar la barra de herramientas en el(los) objeto(s) seleccionado(s) | CTRL + ALT + M | CTRL + COMMAND + M |
| Abrir opciones del(los) objeto(s) seleccionado(s) | CTRL + SHIFT + O | CTRL + SHIFT + O |
| Abrir opciones de transformación de los objetos seleccionados | CTRL + SHIFT + A | CTRL + SHIFT + A |
| Desmarcar todos los objetos | ESC | ESC |
Expression Edit
In addition to direct construction on the graph paper, you may also build your creation by writing one or more equations from the expression list. We have added a feature which is called "expression edit" to allow you to reference geometry objects as you write your equations. The typical workflow goes like this:
- Begin writing a function which takes a geometry object as an argument (such as "polygon") followed by the ( key. At this point the calculator is ready to enter expression edit mode.
- Type the command to focus the graph paper: CTRL + ALT + P on a Windows device, or CTRL + COMMAND + P on an Apple computer. If a screen reader is active, it will announce the type of needed object.
- Press TAB and SHIFT + TAB to navigate among valid objects or UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, or RIGHT ARROW keys to move a new point around the graph. When you locate the object you wish to add to your function, press ENTER or RETURN. Repeat until you have added the objects of interest.
- To complete the equation and exit expression edit mode, press ENTER or RETURN a second time. Your cursor returns to the expression and is placed after the closing parenthesis of the function you just created.
The following table lists all of the keyboard shortcuts for expression edit mode:
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Centrar el papel cuadriculado | CTRL + ALT + P | CTRL + COMMAND + P |
| Navegar por los objetos construidos | UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW | UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW |
| Mover al borde superior de la gráfica | CTRL + UP ARROW | CTRL + UP ARROW |
| Prestar atención al siguiente objeto válido de la expresión activa | TAB | TAB |
| Prestar atención al objeto válido anterior de la expresión activa | SHIFT + TAB | SHIFT + TAB |
| Agregar objeto a Atención a la expresión | ENTER | RETURN |
| Terminar la edición y regresar a la lista de expresiones (cuando se hayan añadido todos los objetos necesarios) | ENTER | RETURN |
The Token Navigator
The token navigator is an area near the expression list which holds references to all geometry objects on the graph paper (each object is represented by a token). To access the token navigator, press CTRL + ALT + C on a Windows machine or CTRL + COMMAND + C on an Apple device. Press ESC to close it.
The navigator is arranged as a hierarchy-based grid where all items at a given level are grouped together. For example, if a construction consists of two polygons and ten points, all ten points will be shown at one level, and the polygons (which depend on one or more of these points) are shown on another. To navigate among items at the same level, press the LEFT ARROW and RIGHT ARROW keys. To move between levels, press either the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW keys.
In addition to providing a convenient way to refer to all of a construction's objects, the token navigator allows you to edit an object’s properties by temporarily dragging its token to the expression list and back. To do this from the keyboard, first select a token you wish to move, and press ALT + SHIFT + M on a Windows machine or OPTION + SHIFT + M on an Apple computer. Once the token has moved, your focus is placed in the expression list where you can edit the item (such as assigning it a label). When you are finished, press the same movement keyboard shortcut again, and the token (along with your keyboard focus), returns to the navigator.
The following table lists all of the keyboard shortcuts available when working with the token navigator:
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Abrir el navegador de tókenes | CTRL + ALT + C | CTRL + COMMAND + C |
| Cerrar el navegador de tókenes | ESC | ESC |
| Alternar entre los tókenes en el nivel actual | LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW | LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW |
| Navegar entre los niveles del objeto | UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW | UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW |
| Mover un token entre la lista de expresiones y el navegador | ALT + SHIFT + T | OPTION + SHIFT + T |
| Seleccionar un único token | ENTER | RETURN |
| Añadir un token a la selección | SHIFT + ENTER | SHIFT + RETURN |
| Eliminar objeto(s) seleccionado(s) | DELETE, BACKSPACE | DELETE, BACKSPACE |
| Centrar la barra de herramientas en el(los) objeto(s) seleccionado(s) | CTRL + ALT + M | CTRL + COMMAND + M |
| Abrir opciones del(los) objeto(s) seleccionado(s) | CTRL + SHIFT + O | CTRL + SHIFT + O |
More Resources
Looking for more comprehensive documentation? Please visit the Desmos Geometry User Guide for additional explanations and examples.
Using Braille
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. 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.
For a quick overview on using Braille in Desmos, visit the help center accessibility page.
Six Key Braille Input
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:
| Función | Atajos de Windows / ChromeOS | Atajos de Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Alternar Nemeth | ALT + N | CTRL + N |
| Alternar UEB | ALT + U | CTRL + U |
| Salir del modo Braille | ALT + Q | CTRL + Q |
| Alternar entrada Braille de 6 teclas | ALT + 6 | CTRL + 6 |
Braille in the Calculators
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 DOWN ARROW or ENTER. Finally, use UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW to move up and down the expression list.
Downloading Braille Equations
When a Braille input mode has been selected, it is also possible to download a Braille representation of the expression list by accessing 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. You can learn more about using Braille in this video:
If you are new to Braille mathematics, we recommend reading through the American Printing House for the Blind tutorials for either Nemeth or UEB.
Mobile Apps
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 above, 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. We are still working on mobile accessibility and would love your feedback! Please email your questions and comments to accessibility@desmos.com.
Classroom Activities
The Desmos Classroom team at Amplify is continually working to make their collection of Classroom Activities accessible to more students. To find out more about how to operate some of the specialized components that may be added to an activity visit the Desmos Classroom Accessibility Page, or explore some of the screen reader-friendly activities.
Keyboard Shortcuts
The calculators are designed to make all functionality accessible from the keyboard. Select a calculator below to view the keyboard shortcuts.
Downloadable Keyboard Shortcut Guides
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.
- Graphing Calculator Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Microsoft Word .docx)
- Graphing Calculator Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Braille .brf)
- Graphing Calculator Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac (Microsoft Word .docx)
- Graphing Calculator Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac (Braille .brf)
Feedback
Accessible product design is a major force in what drives our work at Desmos Studio, and we are pleased to have provided a set of robust, powerful tools which open up mathematics to people with disabilities. Even so, we acknowledge that we have more work to do. We would love your feedback on how we can support the best possible experience for everybody. Please email us at accessibility@desmos.com with any questions or comments. For other support questions, please email support@desmos.com.