[Blindmath] MyMathLab accessibility (forwarded rom the ACB student list)
Birkir R. Gunnarsson
birkir.gunnarsson at gmail.com
Sun Jul 31 16:13:11 UTC 2011
Hi list
Here is an email I received from the ACB student list regarding
MyMathLab accessibility (which appears to be a web learning platform
for MathLab/math education).
I need to click through and read the FAQs and Jaws functionality
better, but it appears to me that the math part of quizes and problems
is renderred using Flash, and unless something significant has changed
in the last 3 months, I know that Flash doesnot render math accessibly
(MathPlayer does not work with Flash and I don't know how else they
could render math, unless they have raw LaTeX code available).
I appreciate that there is attention being paid to this, but I also
feel that not enough is being done and, according to my understanding
of Section 508, that this software platform should not be used in
post-secondary education until it is more accessible.
I say that though with the disclaimer that I do need to test this
better myself and that I am no legal expert, merely someone who has
read a lot about Section 504 responsibilities.
I've had it in mind to create an FAQ of math application and web site
accessibility for all major applications and web portals used for math
teaching, and have this a part of Access2Science. I think it would be
mighty useful, and this type of information would go under MyMathLab
for sure.
As it is, I am so swamped with other projects that I think I'll just
stick to forwarding this email for now. ÆAny
thoughts/opinions/experiences with this tool from the wise people on
this list?
-Birkir
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Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 12:00:02 -0400
Subject: nabs Digest, Vol 22, Issue 41
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Today's Topics:
1. Fw: Accessibility Questions for MML+ (Dornetta)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:49:38 -0400
From: "Dornetta" <dornetta at gmail.com>
To: "National Alliance of Blind Students" <nabs at acb.org>
Subject: [nabs] Fw: Accessibility Questions for MML+
Message-ID: <A15CB20B6265421AA8A9C81558522457 at DJVWRPK1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; Format="flowed"
Hello ACBS:
I am forwarding a email I received from my disability counselor about My
Math Lab and accessibility. I know we have discussed this topic in the past
concerning Pierson & MML. I hope that the information would help anyone who
may be encountering difficulties with My Math Lab and Pierson platforms.
**PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY DOWN :-)**
Netta
"Just because you are blind, does not mean you lack vision"-Stevie Wonder
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mishoe,Dot" <Dot.Mishoe at tridenttech.edu>
To: "Dornetta" <dornetta at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 2:22 PM
Subject: FW: MLP Accessibility Questions for MML+
I'm not sure what more I can say. We did just update our info about how MML
works with JAWS
(www.mymathlab.com/accessibility<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility>)
and we put up a new page to answer further, more broad questions as well
(www.mymathlab.com/accessibility-faqs<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility-faqs>).
Basically, much of MyMathLab (and in MyLabsPlus) works with JAWS 12. Is that
what you needed to know? Let me know if you have specific questions or
concerns and I'll help how I can.
________________________________
From: Leidy, Rebecca
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 12:37 PM
To: Anderson, Becky
Cc: Mishoe,Dot
Subject: FW: MLP Accessibility Questions for MML+
Hi Becky!
Could you assist with the questions that Dot has below about MLP
accessibility for blind students? Thank you very much!
Dot's correct email is
dot.mishoe at tridenttech.edu<mailto:dot.mishoe at tridenttech.edu>.
-RL
Rebecca Leidy | Pearson Education | 864-508-4262
From: Leidy, Rebecca [mailto:Rebecca.Leidy at Pearson.com]
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 11:19 AM
To: Leigh Jacka; dot.mishou at tridenttech.edu
Subject: RE: MLP Accessibility Questions for MML+
Thank you Leigh!
I just wanted to clarify- this student is blind and needs a reader. Do I
need to look into an audio program that works with MLP or will JAWS do this
as well? Thank you again for your help!
Rebecca Leidy | Pearson Education | 864-508-4262
________________________________
From: Leigh Jacka [mailto:leighj at ecollege.com]
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 12:17 PM
To: Leidy, Rebecca; dot.mishou at tridenttech.edu
Subject: RE: MLP Accessibility Questions for MML+
Hi Rebecca: The JAWS functionality works the same in MylansPlus as it does
in the regular MML (Course Compass) environment. Here is the link with
FAQ's on how to make sure that the student has access to these features.
www.mymathlab.com/accessibility<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility>
FAQs on Accessibility and MyMathLab(r)
Pearson is committed to making its products accessible to as many students
as possible. MyMathLab, and its related products MyStatLab, MathXL, and
MyMathTest, are being continually modified and updated to provide better
compatability with screen readers and related adaptive technologies.
MyMathLab 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 MyMathLab interacts with the JAWS technology, view
our samples of homework<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTR3q7wF1Rc> and
tests<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSzc_G8QgL0>. Please note that the
movies show a complete reading of the MyMathLab 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.
With each release, we continue to evolve the MyMathLab suite of products to
make them as accessible as possible. For further information, please contact
Customer Support at
http://www.mymathlab.com/contactus.html<http://communications.pearsonhighered.net/servlet/cc6?ioKQTDRQYVuHlloLOQkljpgnLjxiLHjkhgQJhuVaVA>
or
http://www.mathxl.com/support/contactus_inst.htm<http://communications.pearsonhighered.net/servlet/cc6?ioKQTDRQYVuHlloLOQkljpgnLjxiLHjkhgQJhuVaVB>.
[Expand]
Using Screen Readers<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility>
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. Currently,
MyMathLab supports access to multiple-choice questions with the JAWS screen
reader. Answering and interacting with the questions require specific
keystroke combinations in JAWS. We are in the process of testing and
refining MyMathLab's support of free-response questions. We hope to release
these enhancements shortly, along with improvements to the assignment
manager that will allow you to identify the fully accessible exercises in
the data bank.
If you are using JAWS 10, you must install custom Adobe/Flex scripts for
JAWS to use the XL Player as effectively as possible. With Adobe's release
of Flex 4, we are now able to work on supporting JAWS 12 and will provide an
update to the XL Player soon.
Download custom JAWS 10 scripts for use with the XL
Player.<http://www.mathxl.com/support/jaws_pearson_player_setup.exe>
Assignment
How to select your multiple choice answer in JAWS
Homework
1. Read the choices using JAWS
2. Open the form field list by using the key combination of INSERT+F5
3. Go to the top of the form field list
4. Read and Select your answer choice from the form field list using the
up and down keys
5. Use the Enter key to select your answer
6. Check your answer by selecting Check Answer from the form field list
7. When you are ready to leave your assignment select Save from the form
field list
Test or Quiz
1. Read the choices using JAWS
2. Open the form field list by using the key combination of INSERT+F5
3. Go to the top of the form field list
4. Select your answer choice from the form field list using the up and
down keys
5. Use the Enter key to select your answer
6. Work on another question by selecting Next or Previous from the form
field list
7. When you are ready to submit your assignment select Submit from the
form field list.
Study Plan
1. Read the choices using JAWS
2. Open the form field list by using the key combination of INSERT+F5
3. Go to the top of the form field list
4. Select your answer choice from the form field list using the up and
down keys
5. Use the Enter key to select your answer
6. Check your answer by selecting Check Answer from the form field list
7. When you are ready to leave your Study Plan select Save from the form
field list
While you are using the JAWS screenreader, you may have questions that are
not read correctly. Below is a list of some of the known issues that we are
working to resolve.
* In some questions, superscripts and subscripts are read incorrectly
* In some questions, the summation symbol is read incorrectly
* In some questions, the decimal number is read incorrectly
[Expand]
Screen Resolution<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility>
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
[Expand]
Zooming in Using Your Browser Zoom
Function<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility>
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 pressiing 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.
[Expand]
Using Magnification Tools<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility>
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.
[Expand]
Specifying Contrast Settings<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility>
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.
You can choose your contrast scheme from the operating system's settings.
Operating System
How to change your contrast scheme
Windows XP Professional
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.
Windows 7
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.
Mac OS X
1. From the Apple menu select System Preferences
2. From System Preferences select Universal Access
3. Select the Seeing tab
4. 4. For black text on a light background select "Black on White" from
the Display options.
5. 5. For white text on a dark background select "White on Black" from
the Display options.
6. 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
[Expand]
Videos and Closed-Captioning<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility>
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.
[Expand]
Using Your Keyboard<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility>
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 in
the html portions of the site.
You can interact with form controls using standard keystrokes on your
keyboard. For example, use the TAB key to navigate to an input field. 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. When using screen readers, instructions on how to interact with
the form controls using the keyboard are given.
You can use keyboard shortcuts for the math palette tools when working on
questions. The keyboard shortcuts are provided in the online help.
[Expand]
Making Print Media Accessible<http://www.mymathlab.com/accessibility>
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 at pearson.com<mailto:alternate.textbooks at 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 MML
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
<http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/replocator/requestSalesRep.page>
for up-to-date information on available titles.
Leigh
Leigh Jacka| MylabsPlus Account Services Manager| Pearson| c 205.913.3758|
leighj at ecollege.com| eCollege Support: 1.888.883.1299
Pearson
Always Learning
Learn more at: www.pearson.com<http://www.pearson.com>
From: Leidy, Rebecca [mailto:Rebecca.Leidy at Pearson.com]
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 10:56 AM
To: dot.mishou at tridenttech.edu; Leigh Jacka
Subject: MLP Accessibility Questions for MML+
Importance: High
Good Afternoon, Ladies!
Leigh- I spoke with Dot Mishou just now about how one of her students who is
visually impaired. Will this student be able to access our MML+ platform?
It is my understanding that JAWS works with our MLP platform for students
with special needs. Is that correct? If so, could you elaborate a bit more
on how these students would access MyLabsPlus within a reader program? I
have sent Dot the link for our Accessibility Statement and I think it would
also be helpful for us to to hear from our resident expert. :)
Thank you for any additional insight that you can give us. It's
appreciated!
Rebecca Leidy
Pearson Education
* rebecca.leidy at pearson.com
* Cell: 864.508.4262
NEW! Pearson Custom Library: Build your textbook in 10 minutes! Combine
content from 100's of titles, control content, control cost!
Start Building Click<http://pcphealthprofessions.highcrestmedia.com/> Here
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