Accessibility | MyStatLab.com

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FAQs on Accessibility and MyStatLab®

Pearson is committed to making its products accessible to as many students as possible. MyStatLab, and its related products MyStatLab, MathXL, and MyMathTest, are being continually modified and updated to provide better compatibility with screen readers and related adaptive technologies.

MyStatLab is a web-based application comprised largely of html pages and Flash applications, which power our assessment tools, videos, and eText. As some of these media resources require browser plug-ins, vision- or hearing-impaired students may need alternative ways of accessing them. These FAQs contain tips and answers to frequently asked questions about accessibility. 

To see a sample of how MyStatLab interacts with the JAWS technology, view our samples of homework and tests. Please note that the movies show a complete reading of the MyStatLab pages, although most JAWS users do not choose to have every word or piece of information read to them. With the JAWS program, they can jump to the relevant information. Additionally, the videos were made using an older version of MyStatLab which required the use of custom scripts. With the Summer 2011 release, JAWS 12 is supported and custom scripts are no longer needed.

With each release, we continue to evolve the MyStatLab suite of products to make them as accessible as possible. For further information, please contact Customer Support at http://www.mymathlab.com/contactus.html or http://www.mathxl.com/support/contactus_inst.htm.

 

Using Screen Readers

Users with low, or no, vision can use screen-reader software for the html portions of the site. Screen readers such as JAWS and Window-Eyes can read the Calendar, Results, Announcements, Study Plan topics, and list of available assignments to you.

The questions in assignments (homework, quizzes, and tests), as well as those in the Study Plan, are rendered using Adobe Flash. MyStatLab supports access to selected single and multiple answer multiple-choice and free response questions with the JAWS 12 (only) screen reader. For free response questions, a text equivalent of math notation and symbols (command line language) can be entered using the keyboard. For help on getting started, use the Quick Start Instructions for Using MyStatLab with JAWS 12 .  Additional information is available in the student online help.  

Enhancements to the assignment manager now allow you to easily identify accessible questions. For textbooks with copyright 2012 and later, screen reader accessible questions have an icon next to them. The icon will have the alternative text description, "Question is screen reader accessible." On special request, identification of accessible questions in older textbooks can also be provided. 

While you are using the JAWS screenreader, you may have questions that do not work correctly. Below  is a list of some of the known issues that we are working to resolve.

  • In some questions, the decimal number is read incorrectly.
  • In some questions, expressions are not read in one line.
Screen Resolution

You may find that lowering your screen resolution will magnify the html site pages and help you see text and images more easily. As a start, try a resolution of 600 x 800 (in Windows) and see how that works for you.

Operating System
How to change your screen resolution
Windows
  1. From the Start menu, go to the Control Panel
  2. Select Display
  3. On Windows XP, select the Settings tab and select the resolution.
  4. On Windows 7, select the option Change Display Settings and select the resolution.
Mac
  1. From the Apple menu
  2. Select System Preferences
  3. Select Display from the Hardware section
  4. Select the resolution from the Display view
Zooming in Using Your Browser Zoom Function

While you are working, you may want to magnify certain areas of the site. Use the zoom-in hotkeys available in most browsers.

Operating System
How to use the zoom feature
Windows
  1. Press the “CTRL” + “+” buttons at the same time to magnify 
  2. Keep pressing the “+” button to continue magnifying
 
(Use the “CTRL” + “-“ buttons to undo the magnification)
Mac OS X
  1. Select the Apple Command button + “+” buttons to magnify
  2. Select Apple Command + “–” buttons to undo the magnification 

 

Please note: There is a known issue with the Flash player and browser zoom-in functionality, http://bugs.adobe.com/jira/browse/FP-4404. 
Using Magnification Tools

Users who have low-vision and need to magnify the page may find that using magnification programs works better for them as there are more options for magnification strength and other display settings.

Magnification Tool
Tips
ZoomText

ZoomText is available for Windows operating systems only. In addition to magnification functionality, ZoomText also tells the user what actions are taking place.
For some computer configurations, the XFont setting needs to be turned off.  If so, select None or Standard for your Font Enhancements setting.

In ZoomText 10:

1. Select Magnifier from the main menu

2. Select Font Enhancements from the Magnifier menu

3. Select Settings and then for Enhancement Type, choose Standard
Microsoft Magnifier Magnifier is available on Windows XP Professional, and Windows 7. In addition to magnification functionality, color contrast can also be selected in Magnifier. Note: a limitation with this tool is that you cannot interact with the page in the Magnifier window.
Mac OS X Use the Control button + mouse scrollbar to control the level of magnification.
Mouse with magnifier

Magnification is available with several computer mice including:

  • Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse
  • Microsoft Optical Mouse 3000 By using a button on the mouse, magnification can be turned on and off.  The magnification level and size of the magnification window can be selected.
Specifying Contrast Settings

Some users need higher or a different color contrast to see content on pages. For example, you may find it easier to see light text on a dark background, dark text on a light background, or in grayscale.

Operating System
How to change your contrast scheme
Windows

ZoomText

Choose from several color and contrast schemes using the software product ZoomText.

  1. Select Color from the menu.
  2. For lighter color text on a dark background select Invert Brightness.
  3. Or try different schemes until you find the one that helps you most.

Windows XP

Choose a contrast scheme from the operating system's display settings.

  1. From your Control Panel select Accessibility Options.
  2. From the Display tab turn on Use High Contrast.
  3. Go to Settings and select the contrast scheme.
  4. For black text on a light background, use High Contrast Black.
  5. For white text on a dark background, use High Contrast White.
  6. Or try different contrast schemes until you find the one that helps you most.

Note that this tool is limited and it will not apply the color scheme to the Player.

Windows 7

Choose a contrast scheme from the operating system's display settings.

  1. From the Control Panel select Ease of Access Center.
  2. Select Set up High Contrast.
  3. Select Choose a High Contrast Theme.
  4. For black text on a light background, use High Contrast Black.
  5. For white text on a dark background, use High Contrast White.
  6. Or try different contrast schemes until you find the one that helps you most.

Note that this tool is limited and it will not apply the color scheme to the Player.
Mac OS X

Choose a contrast scheme from the operating system's settings.

  1. From the Apple menu select System Preferences
  2. From System Preferences select Universal Access
  3. Select the Seeing tab
  4. For black text on a light background select “Black on White” from the Display options.
  5. For white text on a dark background select “White on Black” from the Display options.
  6. Or try the Enhance contrast option for other contrast schemes.

If you find seeing in grayscale more helpful, you can change the display setting on your Mac operating system to grayscale. In Windows, you will have to use additional software to see the site pages in grayscale.

Operating System
How to see in grayscale
Windows
Contrast-Analyzer
 
  1. Download the free software from the Paciello Group at: http://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/contrast-analyser.html
  1. Go to Image menu and then select the Screen item
  2. From the Simulation pulldown, select grayscale
  3. To see the entire window in grayscale use the Select Window(List) item from the Image menu

A limitation with this software is that you cannot interact with the page in the grayscale view (note: For higher contrast try the invert display option).

Vision Australia Browser Toolbar for Internet Explorer

  1. Download the free software from Vision Australia http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1569
  2. Open your browser, go to the site page and select grayscale from the Color option

A limitation with this software is you need to perform this action for each page you visit.
Mac OS X
  1. From the Apple menu select System Preferences
  2. From System Preferences select Universal Access
  3. Select the Seeing tab
  4. Select “Use grayscale” from the Display options
Videos and Closed-Captioning

For hearing-impaired students, closed-captioned videos are available in nearly all courses accompanying textbooks with a copyright year of 2008 or later. On special request, these closed-captioned videos can also be provided on CDs.
Using Your Keyboard

If you have difficulty using your mouse because of motility impairment, you may find using your keyboard easier. Low-vision users may also find using the keyboard easier as it may be difficult to see the mouse pointer and its location on the screen.

You can use the TAB key to visit all links, buttons, and form controls.

You can interact with form controls using keystrokes on your keyboard. For example, use the TAB key to navigate to an edit field on a site page and then use the alphanumeric keys to enter in your information. Once you have completed entering in your information, use the TAB key to leave the control. 

You can use keyboard shortcuts for the math palette tools when working on questions. The keyboard shortcuts are provided in the online help.
Making Print Media Accessible

To use Pearson print media for a low-vision or blind student, Pearson can provide PDFs of your textbook or eText, Student Solutions Manuals, Graphing Calculator Manuals, and other ancillaries, which can then be used with such accessibility technologies as screen readers and Braille displays. You can also convert the PDF files into another format, such as a printed Braille book.

Make requests from
https://order.superlibrary.com/Comergent/en/US/adirect/pearson?cmd=DisabilityRequestForm. General inquiries should be directed to alternate.textbooks@pearson.com.

Also, many of our leading math textbooks will soon be provided as html/MathML "eBooks" to provide compatibility with JAWS and other Windows screen readers. These eBooks will be provided directly by Pearson on the MSL site so that all students will be able to access needed texts at the same place, at the same time, and at the same price. Contact your Pearson representative for up-to-date information on available titles.
Accessibility Documentation

A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template(VPAT) is used to assist Federal contracting officials, agencies and buyers in making preliminary assessments regarding the availability of accessiblity support in products like MyStatLab.  A VPAT for MyStatLab is available upon request.  If you would like a copy of the MyStatLab VPAT, please contact mymathlab@pearson.com.

 




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