Problem with reading Math formula or equation

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Yong Shing

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Apr 24, 2026, 3:17:12 AM (12 days ago) Apr 24
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Hi all, 

I have been facing this issue for some time now. 

When using NVDA, on AI chat platforms e.g Gemini, when the response contains MATH or equation or certain numbers, NVDA won't read them. The same issue described here. I installed MathCap addon, but it doesn't fix the issue either. 

What solutions are available so far? If you can share, it would be great! 

Thank you! 

Regards, 
Yongshing

Gene Asner

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Apr 24, 2026, 3:25:50 AM (12 days ago) Apr 24
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Do what one of the main purposes of AI is. Ask it to solve the problem.
Ask it to present the answer with numbers accessible to screen-readers
and the problem will be solved, at least it has been when I've asked
that this be done.

AI may give good information or not, in all sorts of situations,
including asking for something to be done to solve a problem, so real
care must be taken in evaluating answers, but not using AI in ways like
this disregards one of the main points of AI.

Gene

On 4/24/2026 2:16 AM, Yong Shing wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have been facing this issue for some time now.
>
> When using NVDA, on AI chat platforms e.g Gemini, when the response
> contains MATH or equation or certain numbers, NVDA won't read them. The
> same issue described here.
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/issues/18157> I installed MathCap
> addon, but it doesn't fix the issue either.
>
> What solutions are available so far? If you can share, it would be great!
>
> Thank you!
>
> Regards,
> Yongshing
>
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
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Yong Shing

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Apr 24, 2026, 5:25:35 AM (12 days ago) Apr 24
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That is what I've been doing. However, after several responses, it would be back to default. 
I often need to work with numbers, that is why I am looking for a more permanent solution. 
And, the issue is also not limited to AI chat. 
Even though asking AI to solve its own issue is like common sense, if anyone understands the root issue, that would be better.

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Sean Randall

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Apr 24, 2026, 5:32:03 AM (12 days ago) Apr 24
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Have you tried this in an NVDA 2026 beta? Mathcat support is now integrated into the screen reader.

 

Also what browser are you using?

 

S.

Gene Asner

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Apr 24, 2026, 6:05:36 AM (12 days ago) Apr 24
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It doesn't surprise me that AI forgets over time. AI simply doesn't
live up to the hype and expectations.

I have no idea what, if any solution may exist. I made my suggestion
because you didn't mention it in your initial question. Perhaps it will
help others who don't understand that you can use AI in this way, as
seems to be the case with many users. I've seen a question on another
list something like how do I ask AI questions. And I saw another
message on another list from someone saying, I don't know how to use AI.

Gene
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Veli Laasala

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Apr 24, 2026, 6:58:08 AM (12 days ago) Apr 24
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By default, Gemini, Google and maybe other sites or products using LateX
formatting hide math and some other special content from screenreaders
by using aria-hidden attribute. Gemini has said, this is due to LateX
formatting. I have told Gemini several times not to use formatting that
include aria-hidden attributes, but it does not remember that in the
next session.

Hope this helps

Veli

Yong Shing kirjoitti 24.4.2026 klo 10:16:
> Hi all,
>
> I have been facing this issue for some time now.
>
> When using NVDA, on AI chat platforms e.g Gemini, when the response
> contains MATH or equation or certain numbers, NVDA won't read them. The
> same issue described here. <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/
> issues/18157> I installed MathCap addon, but it doesn't fix the issue
> either.
>
> What solutions are available so far? If you can share, it would be great!
>
> Thank you!
>
> Regards,
> Yongshing
>
> --
> ***
> Please note: the NVDA project has a Citizen and Contributor Code of Conduct.
> NV Access expects that all community members will read and abide by the
> rules set out in this document while participating in this group.
> https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
> <https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md>
>
> You can contact the group owners and moderators via nvda-
> users+m...@nvaccess.org.
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "NVDA Screen Reader Discussion" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to nvda-users+...@nvaccess.org <mailto:nvda-
> users+un...@nvaccess.org>.
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/nvaccess.org/
> d/msgid/nvda-users/CAH5wdDa0X3sbqOhEqnZe5bCUg15DB2-
> g089s8FVefbfODpcwfQ%40mail.gmail.com <https://groups.google.com/a/
> nvaccess.org/d/msgid/nvda-users/CAH5wdDa0X3sbqOhEqnZe5bCUg15DB2-
> g089s8FVefbfODpcwfQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

kers...@montana.com

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Apr 25, 2026, 10:59:36 AM (11 days ago) Apr 25
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Hello,

If this is a MathJax site, try getting on the math and using the context menu select MathML. We have had reports that MathJax does not show MathML by default. They use their own rendering engine. Also, you cannot select MathML for the whole page just individually.

Best
George


-----Original Message-----
From: nvda-...@nvaccess.org <nvda-...@nvaccess.org> On Behalf Of Veli Laasala
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2026 4:58 AM
To: nvda-...@nvaccess.org
Subject: Re: [NVDA] Problem with reading Math formula or equation

You can contact the group owners and moderators via nvda-user...@nvaccess.org.
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