MathML Remediation
Pubrica provides MathML remediation for publishers of STEM books, chapters and journal articles. Equations supplied as images cannot be read aloud, searched, resized, reflowed or copied, and in mathematics and physics titles they often make up much of the content. Our MathML specialists rebuild each equation as semantic MathML in your markup convention, verify it in a screen reader and preserve equation numbering and cross-references, with fallback images where a platform requires them.
- Correct screen reader output, which for anything beyond a simple fraction depends on semantically correct markup
- Searchable, resizable and reflowable: an equation image is none of these, and it is often illegible on a phone
- Semantic structure: a fraction is marked up as a fraction, not as two stacked rows separated by a line
- Delivered in your markup: MathML in JATS, EPUB or HTML, with a fallback image where a platform still requires one
- Verified in a screen reader, because MathML can validate and still be read incorrectly
Equations rebuilt as MathMLIncluded
Semantic correctness checkedIncluded
Screen reader verificationIncluded
Fallback images where neededIncluded
Full typesetting of the titleNot included
Image → read → marked up → heard → equation
- Semantic markup, not visual imitation
- Verified in a screen reader
- Delivered in your markup convention
- Fallback image where the platform needs one
- Numbering and referencing preserved
Service Scope
Four Components of Every MathML Remediation Project
Each expression has one meaning, and the markup is structured to represent that meaning.
From the markupTwo rows and a border, visually identical to a fraction.An mfrac element with numerator and denominator. It looks identical on screen, but screen readers, search indexes and reflow engines can interpret it correctly.
From the verificationEvery remediated equation is checked in a screen reader before delivery. This is the only test that identifies markup that looks correct but is semantically wrong.
From the consistency passRemediation that breaks cross-references would create a new usability problem for all readers.
From the deliveryMathML with an image fallback works better than an image alone and remains usable on platforms that do not yet support MathML.
The samples shown are illustrative and anonymised. Hover over a sample to replay it.
Compliance and Standards
MathML and Accessibility Standards
Where your platform or distributor specifies a mathematics format, that requirement takes priority.
Mathematical Markup Language (MathML Core)
The W3C recommendation implemented by browsers, using semantic elements such as fractions, roots, scripts and tables of expressions.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (level AA)
The success criteria that most procurement requirements refer to, either directly or through Section 508 or EN 301 549.
Publishing carriers (JATS, BITS, EPUB 3.3)
How mathematics is carried in publishing markup and processed by reading systems.
Quality management (cert. H3CR9TCU20251212INDQM10N)
This certification covers how the audit or remediation is run, recorded and released.
Responsible Use of AI
Our Approach to AI Use in MathML Remediation
A checker that returns zero errors does not, on its own, show that content is accessible. Alt text that describes a chart only as a “chart”, a reading order that is technically valid but unusable, and tagging that passes validation but fails a screen-reader user can all pass automated checks.
Why We Do Not Publish AI Accuracy Figures
Accuracy figures for AI tools are usually reported by the companies that sell them.
Pubrica therefore does not quote its own accuracy figures, as they would carry the same conflict of interest. Instead, we tell you which tool was used on your project, at which stage, and what a specialist changed afterwards.
Our Process
How Our MathML Remediation Process Works
Our specialists read and interpret the mathematics, so that the markup is semantically correct as well as visually accurate.
Inventory and sample
We catalogue every equation by complexity and remediate a sample chapter first to establish effort and conventions.
Markup
Specialists who read the mathematics rebuild each equation as semantic MathML.
Screen reader verification
We check each equation in a screen reader, because markup that is visually correct can still be semantically wrong.
Integration and cross-references
We deliver the MathML in your markup convention with fallbacks where needed, and check equation numbering and cross-references throughout.
Our Experts
Your MathML Remediation Team
A named team of subject specialists stays with your project from scoping to delivery. Your project coordinator introduces each team member by name before work begins.
Reviews the scientific content for accuracy and confirms that each conclusion is supported by the evidence. Each expert is matched to your field.
Reviews content for accuracy, pedagogy and conformance with the applicable curriculum, assessment or accessibility standard.
Checks the finished work independently against the agreed scope and the applicable checklist. Findings are logged and resolved before delivery.
Manages the timeline, keeps you informed at each stage and coordinates the team so that questions are answered and deadlines are met.
Packages
MathML Remediation Packages
Pricing depends on equation count and complexity. A sample chapter sets the rate for the title.
Title remediation
A STEM book, chapter or article with image equations
Quoted per projectPer equation, based on complexity
Delivery By volume
- ✓Equation inventory by complexity
- ✓Semantic MathML markup
- ✓Screen reader verification of every equation
- ✓Fallback images where the platform needs them
- ✓Numbering and cross-references checked
We start with a sample chapter, because equation complexity varies considerably between titles.
Service Scope Request a quoteBacklist programme
STEM catalogues being brought into conformance
Quoted per projectBased on volume, quoted from a sample
Delivery By arrangement
- ✓Sample to establish the complexity profile
- ✓Triage by title and by equation density
- ✓Batch remediation to one convention
- ✓Consistency across the list
- ✓Conventions documented for future production
Documenting the convention helps future titles to be produced with accessible mathematics.
Service Scope Request a quoteSend a chapter and we will remediate five equations free of charge, including one you consider complex, with a screen reader recording so you can hear the difference.
FAQs
MathML Remediation FAQs
If your question is not answered here, ask an expert — no quote is required.
Largely, where LaTeX source is available, which is the most economical route. From images, optical recognition can convert part of the content, but anything beyond simple expressions must be checked.
Verifying that the result reads correctly cannot be automated, and this is the main part of our work.
Alt text is better than nothing, but it is not equivalent. Alt text on an equation cannot be searched, resized independently, reflowed on a phone or copied into a calculator or notebook.
For titles where the mathematics is the main content, alt text is a temporary measure rather than a solution.
Browser support is good and has improved substantially. Some reading systems and distribution channels still have limited support.
For this reason, we supply a fallback image where needed. MathML with a fallback remains usable on all platforms, while an image alone cannot be improved by better support.
Per equation, banded by complexity. We start with a sample chapter because equation density and complexity vary considerably between titles.
The sample also establishes the markup conventions, which keeps remediation consistent across a list.
Related Services
Related STEM Accessibility Services
Equation remediation is one part of making STEM content accessible. The services below cover the rest of the title.
1OTHER CONTENT IN THE TITLEsame title
Scientific alt textAlt text for data-heavy figures. PDF remediationTagging, reading order and structure.2CONFORMANCE REPORTINGrequired by buyers
EPUB accessibility validationConformance and accessibility metadata. VPAT and conformance reportTested and evidenced conformance reporting.3PRODUCTION WORKFLOWupstream
Publishing workflow advisoryBorn-accessible and XML-first workflows. Digital production QAQuality checks before release.Request Free Remediation of Five Sample Equations
Include one equation you consider complex, and we will send a screen reader recording so you can hear the difference.