Accessibility

Pearson works continuously to ensure that our programs are as accessible as possible to all students. The following FAQs are provided to answer questions we routinely receive from customers about our math programs.

Using Screen ReadersUsing 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) and in the Study Plan, are rendered in our Math Question Player. MathXL for School supports the JAWS screen reader** in selected single and multiple answer multiple-choice and free response questions. For free response questions, a text equivalent of math notation and symbols (command line language) can be entered using the keyboard.

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

**The mobile-enhanced (HTML5) player supports JAWS 15, 16 and 17. For help on getting started, use the Quick Start Instructions for Using MyLab Math with JAWS. Additional information is available in the student online help.

 

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 ResolutionScreen 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 FunctionZooming 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
SuperNova
For some computer configurations, the TrueFonts setting needs to be turned off. If so, select None for your Font Smoothing setting.

In SuperNova 13:

  1. Select Visual from the main menu
  2. Select Advanced Options from the visual menu
  3. Select Magnifier and then for Font Smoothing, choose None
Using Magnification ToolsUsing 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

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 None or Standard

Microsoft Magnifier Magnifier is a tool that come with the Windows Operating Systems (i.e., 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 SettingsSpecifying 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/ais/toolbar/
  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-CaptioningVideos and Closed-Captioning

For hearing-impaired students, closed-captioned videos are available in most courses accompanying textbooks with a copyright year of 2008 or later. We plan to extend closed captioning to all videos in the future.

Using Your KeyboardUsing 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 Printed Materials AccessibleMaking Printed Materials Accessible

Many of our leading math textbooks are now offered as “HTML eBooks" for students using assistive technology to access course materials. Compatible with JAWS and other Windows screen readers, HTML eBooks are national mathematics texts published in HTML and MathML to offer students

  • complete core content, including text and images, in single column presentation.
  • alternative text descriptions for all important figures and photos.
  • enhanced navigation support, including interactive table of contents, go-to-page functionality, and keyboard access.

HTML eBooks are provided within the product so that all students can access needed texts at the same place, at the same time, and at the same price. Students with a Windows screen reader need only download the free Design Science MathPlayer.

If you are using MathXL for School and need access to an HTML eBook, contact your Pearson account manager.

For texts and related materials not in the HTML eBook format, 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. You can make requests for the PDF files at https://order.superlibrary.com/Comergent/en/US/adirect/pearson?cmd=DisabilityRequestForm. General inquiries should be directed to alternate.textbooks@pearson.com.

Accessibility DocumentationAccessibility 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 accessibility support in products like MathXL for School.  A VPAT for MathXL is available upon request by emailing disability.support@pearson.com.