Accessibility Information

MyWritingLab is a web-based application comprised largely of html pages and Adobe Flash applications (which power our activity and assessment tools and videos). Some of these media resources require browser plug-ins, and vision- or hearing-impaired students may need alternative ways of accessing these materials. This page contains many tips and answers to frequently asked questions regarding accessibility topics.

With each release, we are continuing to work to evolve MyWritingLab to better meet the needs of all students and instructors. For further information, please contact Customer Support at the student support and educator support pages.

Using Screen Readers
Screen Resolution
Zooming in Using Your Browser Zoom Function
Specifying Contrast Settings

Videos and Closed Captioning
Using Your Keyboard
Accessibility Documentation

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, and list of available assignments to you.

The questions in assignments are rendered using Adobe Flash. MyWritingLab supports access to selected single and multiple answer multiple-choice and free response questions with the JAWS 12 (only) screen reader. 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."

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 Apple menu 2. Select System Preferences 3. Select Display from 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	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. For details, please see 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.
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

You may find it easier to see the site pages by changing the color scheme. Some users find it easier to see light text on a dark background or dark text on a light background or the page in grayscale.

You can choose your contrast scheme from the operating system’s settings.

Operating system	How to change your contrast scheme
Windows	Zoom Text 1. Choose from several color and contrast schemes using the software product ZoomText 2. Select Color from the menu 3. For lighter color text on a dark background select Invert Brightness 4. Or try different schemes until you find the one that helps you most.
Windows XP	Choose a contrast scheme from the Operating System's settings. 1. From your Control Panel select Accessibility Options 2. From the Display tab turn on "Use High Contrast" 3. Go to the Settings and select the contrast scheme 4. For black text on a light background try the "High Contrast Black". 5. For white text on a dark background try the "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 will not apply the color scheme to the XL Player.
Windows 7	Choose a contrast scheme from the Operating System's 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 test 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 will not apply the color scheme to the XL 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 light background select "Black on White" from Display options 5. For white text on a dark background select "White on Black" from Display options 6. Or try the Enhance contrast option for other contrast schemes.

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

Operating system	How to see in grayscale
Windows	Contrast-Analyser 1. Download the free software from Paciello Group at http://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/contrast-analyser.html 2. Go to Image and then Screen option 3. From the Simulation pulldown, select grayscale 4. To see the entire window in grayscale use 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 at http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/ais/toolbar 2. Open your browser and go to the site page and select grayscale from the Color option A limitation with this software is you need to do this action for each site page you visit.
Mac	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

Operating system

How to see in grayscale

Windows

Contrast-Analyser

1. Download the free software from Paciello Group at http://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/contrast-analyser.html
2. Go to Image and then Screen option
3. From the Simulation pulldown, select grayscale
4. To see the entire window in grayscale use 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 at http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/ais/toolbar
2. Open your browser and go to the site page and select grayscale from the Color option

A limitation with this software is you need to do this action for each site page you visit.

Mac

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. For print-disabled students, video player controls are accessible via JAWS commands.

Using Your Keyboard

If you have difficulty using your mouse because of motility impairment, then 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 in the html portions of the site.

You can interact with form controls using keystrokes on your keyboard. For example, use the TAB key to navigate to an edit form 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.

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 accessibility support in products like MyWritingLab. A VPAT for MyWritingLab is being developed and will be available in late 2012.