Accessibility Information

MyLab ServSafe 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 MyLab ServSafe 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 a screenreader

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 in our MyLab ServSafe Question Player. MyLab ServSafe supports the JAWS screen reader** in selected multiple-choice and open response questions.  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."

**The mobile-enhanced (HTML5) player supports JAWS 15 and 16. The standard (Flash™) player supports up to JAWS 14. Additional information is available in the student online help.

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
  • From the Start menu, go to the Control Panel
  • Select "Display"
  • On Windows XP, select the "Settings" tab and select the resolution.
  • On Windows 7, select the option "Change Display Settings" and select the resolution.

Mac
  • From the Apple menu, select "System Preferences"
  • Select "Display" from the Hardware section
  • Select the resolution from the Display view

Using the 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.

Note: To magnify the question in the Flash player, please refer to the section on Using Magnification Tools below.

operating system How to change your screen resolution

Windows
  • Press the "CTRL" + "+" keys at the same time to magnify
  • Keep pressing the "+" keys to continue magnifying
  • Use the "CTRL" + "-" keys to undo the magnification

Mac
  • Press the Apple Command button + "+" keys to magnify
  • Press Apple Command + "–" keys to undo the magnification

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

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 comes with the Windows Operating Systems. You can magnify and apply color contrast to your page using this tool. A known limitation with Magnifier 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.
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"

 

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.
    For black text on a light background, use High Contrast Black.
    For white text on a dark background, use High Contrast White.
    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."
    For black text on a light background, use High Contrast Black.
    For white text on a dark background, use High Contrast White.
    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 display 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.
    For white text on a dark background select "White on Black" from the Display options.
    Or try the Enhance contrast option for other contrast schemes.

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

 

 

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
  2. Go to the Image menu and then select the "Screen" item
  3. From the Simulation pulldown, select "grayscale"
  4. 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

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.

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.

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 MyLab ServSafe. A VPAT for MyLab ServSafe is available upon request by emailing disability.support@pearson.com.

Frequently Asked Questions About Accessibility

Visit our FAQs page.